The fight took place in Boston's TD Banknorth Garden on November 6, 2007, in front of 6,000 people and offered a prize fund for the winner of $750,000.
[5] Both boxers had fought twice previously in the tournament with Codrington scoring two knockouts on his way to the final stopping Brian Vera in the 2nd round and Wayne Johnson in the 1st.
The tournament represented a chance for both athletes to gain recognition in the sport and to follow in the footsteps of previous Contender winners Sergio Mora and Grady Brewer.
[8] Following the contest, Codrington took a year out of the ring only returning in November 2008 to defeat journeyman William Gill over 8 rounds.
In November 2008 on the same day Codrington made his comeback, Sakio defeated the runner up from season one of the contender, Peter Manfredo, stopping him in the 3rd round to pick up the IBO super middleweight title.