MONTREAL, March 9, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Contender may have struggled in ratings Monday night, placing third behind FOX and CBS, but online gamblers raced to place bets on their favorite boxer to take home the million-dollar prize.
"As soon as Alfonso Gomez and Peter Manfredo Jr. were paired to fight in Monday night's bout, wagers featuring 'The Contender' lit up," said Mike Foreman, BetUS.com spokesperson. "Within 15 minutes, our site logged over 100 bets."
According to Foreman, BetUS.com was taking numerous bets on the 15 'Contender' candidates until after midnight before the betting frenzy died down. Bets on Gomez and Manfredo Jr. were accepted by the sportsbook up until the moment the two boxers entered the ring.
"As soon as Gomez challenged Manfredo to box, we posted odds on that fight immediately allowing for a 15 minute betting window," said Foreman. "About half the bets accepted Monday night were on Gomez and Manfredo, with Manfredo being the favorite to win. I know many of our customers were surprised when the Gomez, the underdog, won the fight."
Foreman stated that gamblers are favoring Jesse Brinkley and Ishe Smith from the West team and devout Catholic, Jimmy Lange and "Baby Face" Ahmed from the East team. Most bets to win the million-dollar prize have been wagered on these four boxers.
"After what happened in the ring Monday night, it will be tough to call the winner of Burnett's new reality show," said Foreman. "These fighters are competing under unique circumstances. There's a lot of pressure on these young men -- one screw up and you're out, regardless if you're a talented fighter or not."
BetUS.com is offering odds on the 14 remaining 'Contender' boxers. Lange is a crowd favorite, listed at 2/1 to win, followed by Brinkley posted at 3/1. Gomez, who won last night's fight, is inching his way up to the winner's circles. He's listed at 7/1 to win the million-dollar prize.
East West West
Jimmy Lange 2/1 Jesse Brinkley 3/1 Tarick Salmaci 45/1
Jonathan Reid 7/1 Alfonso Gomez 7/1 Miguel Espino 50/1
Juan De La Rosa 4/1 Joey Gilbert 9/1
Ahmed Kaddour 6/1 Ishe Smith 12/1
Jeff Fraza 20/1 Sergio Mora 30/1
Brent Cooper 25/1 Anthony Bonsante 40/1
BetUS.com (http://www.BetUS.com) is one of the oldest and most respected legal online sports betting organizations in the world and is licensed and bonded in two recognized gaming jurisdictions -- Canada and Costa Rica. Employing over 500 people, BetUS.com provides a safe and secure place for sports wagering to more than 100,000 clients. Members can enjoy wagering on some of their favorite sports including: football, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf and boxing. BetUS.com has been in operation for 11 years and also offers Vegas-style casino games and interactive poker.