PRESS RELEASE: For Erick “Dynamite” Vega, making it on season 4 of the Contender was not only a dream come true but an effort that took him many years to get the major recognition he badly craved. “It was great to be on the show” said Vega who just missed a spot on the 2004 Mexican Olympic team that produced rising stars Alfredo Angulo and Abner Mares. “The exposure was unbelievable”. Vega’s hopes of winning The Contender Championship were unfortunately derailed by Akinyemi “AK 47” Laleye. Vega fought hard and badly hurt Laleye in the fifth round but dropped a unanimous decision in an entertaining contest.

Vega was honored to be a part of the same series that helped Sergio Mora, Peter Manfredo, Alfonso Gomez, and Steve Forbes land big time fights following their appearances on the show but was upset with his performance. “I lost my cool (after Laleye got in my face as he entered the ring) and couldn’t get my game plan going. The fighter you saw that night was not anywhere near the best I can be” said Vega. “He fought a smart fight and I tip my hat off to him because he did what he had to do to win”, Vega said about Laleye, who is a chief sparring partner for Antonio Tarver. A lthough Vega claimed following the loss that he was going to probably retire from boxing, he says this is no longer the case. “I am emotional fighter who wears his heart on his sleeve”, said the Phoenix based cruiserweight. “I was extremely upset with my performance and was distraught so at that moment, I felt it was time to hang them up. I later realized the sacrifices I made to get this far and the fact that I couldn’t reach my full potential by retiring at 29”. 

Contender fans can help Vega land a fight on the undercard of live finale, which is slated for February 25th 2009 at The MGM Grand at Foxwoods in Uncasville , CT. This can be done by expressing their support for him on the official message board at www.versus.com/thecontender_messageboard. “I’ve had some nice support on the boards so far and I hope it continues so I can prove who I really am if selected to fight in the finale” mentioned Vega. The Contender is a 16 fighter tournament featuring the likes of former world title challengers Darnell Wilson and Rico Hoye as well as two time Olympian Troy Ross. The last two remaining fighters will compete live for a grand prize and a third place fight will take place as well. The Contender airs on the Versus Network every Wednesday at 10 PM ET.