Troy Ross vs. Ehinomen Ehikhamenor: The Contender Season 4 Final Round By Round

We've made it to the end of the road for Season 4 of The Contender, with Troy Ross and Ehinomen Ehikhamenor battling in the final at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods. Nick Charles and Wally Matthews call Ross, the Canadian southpaw, the favorite, but Tony Danza expects Hino to give him a fight.

A video package voiced by Danza gives viewers a look at how both men made it to the final. The tale of the tape shows that both men are basically even in height, weight and reach. Ross is five years older but has just a few more pro fights under his belt.

Ross is 20-1 with 14 KOs, and he showed good power in both hands with two early knockouts on the show. Ehikhamenor is 15-3 with just seven KOs, and he dropped a lopsided decision to Herbie Hide in his last fight before appearing on The Contender.

The introductions are made and we're ready for 10 rounds to determine the Season 4 champion.

Round One

Ross reaches with the jab as Hino stays alert. Nothing really lands for the first minute. Hino scores with some quick right counters. A short exchange breaks out in the center of the ring. Ross comes in behind a left and is knocked back off balance. Two lefts land partially for Ross, but Hino responds with a right. Some wrestling in close ends a tough round to score.

Franchise: 10-9 Ross

Round Two

Neither man looks tentative in the second round, with each man swinging away with power shots. They both score but Ross lands the cleanest shot. Ross goes to the body and Hino counters. Nice left upstairs by Ross, then a right as Hino comes in. The announcers think Ross would be well served to box, though he looks like he's content to slug it out thus far.

Franchise: 10-9 Ross

Round Three

Ross does some work at very close range. Hino's two-punch combo hits Ross' arms. Both men connect on power shots along the ropes. Troy is really swinging for the fences. Neither man can find a home for the jab, so they aren't throwing many now. Ross just misses a big left as he hops in. The ref has been a little busier too.

Franchise: 10-9 Ross

Round Four

Ross is the aggressor right out of the gate, and he connects with a massive right and a left. Hino doesn't go down, but he looks out on his feet as he slumps in the corner, and the ref jumps in to stop it. The replays show Hino had his arm draped over the top rope making no effort to defend himself, so he didn't give the ref much choice.

The winner by TKO at 2:00 of Round Four... and The Contender Season 4 champion... Troy "The Boss" Ross.

Ross says Hino fought a smart fight, but he felt stronger and thought he would get to him after a few rounds. He didn't think he was much bigger, calling his experience the key factor. Ross also had no problem with the stoppage, saying it's never a bad thing.

Danza awards The Contender belt to Ross, who seems genuinely pleased with Danza's efforts on the show. Ross ends by thanking the fans for coming out and supporting the program.

Ehikhamenor also thanks everyone for their support, but he's disappointed that the fight was stopped. He says the plan was to take Ross into deep water to drown him and thinks he may have been able to do it.

Posted by The Franchise