David Banks Junior trains at Portland's Grand Avenue Boxing Gym. And he is one of 16 super middleweights competing for a $750,000 top prize on the ESPN show, "The Contender."

After the show airs each Tuesday, Banks gives The Oregonian his behind-the-scenes reflections.

In Week Two, the ten remaining boxers, split into two teams and moved into a swanky loft. Sugar Ray Leonard, the mentor, explained that semifinalists will be picked based on five-round bouts show the next five weeks.

A preview showed Banks declaring, --quote--"I'm definitely ready to fight."

Banks says people will have to tune in to find out.