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For Knoxville boxer Joell Godfrey, facing reality-show cameras is tougher than punching another guy's lights out.

Godfrey, who works the grill at Aubrey's off Middlebrook, says he had a hard time adjusting to cameras chronicling his every step on "The Contender" (starting 10 tonight on Versus). He's among the 16 athletes vying for the show's title this season.

"I was basically (suffering from) stage fright when I fought," the 28-year-old, 195-pound athlete says of his experience on the show.

"I fought well in my own weight (division), but I was also (dealing with) stage fright with the cameras constantly being on (me) 24/7. We had to get used to the TV part of it because this wasn't a regular fight."

Not much intimidates Godfrey, who has a 9-0 professional record in the cruiserweight division.

Exposure garnered by being on "The Contender" is invaluable to a boxer's career, raising the profile of the athlete and opening up opportunities for bigger and better matches.

"This (show) will put us out there in the atmosphere," Godfrey says. "The more I promote myself ... the more (chances) I have to make it big. At the end of the day. I'm just a regular guy who's having fun doing it."

Godfrey says doing the show was an adjustment for him.

Production took him out of the country for the first time. "The Contender" was shot this past September in Singapore.

Godfrey, who grew up in Winston-Salem, N.C., had never been out of the country before.

He admits he wasn't entirely pleased by how he performed on the show.

"I won't lie about it," he says. "I knew I could do more. The (athletes) who were there understand the pressure with the cameras being there."

n Eat up. Food Network is cooking up possum - Gatlinburg style. Yummy, right?

Chef Andrew Zimmern and his gang from "Bizarre Foods" shot a segment a month ago at a Sevier County cabin party, complete with a bluegrass band. The menu included grilled raccoon, baked possum and bear stew - you know, the kind of stuff mom used to cook.

The episode is scheduled to air in March.

Also, Food Network personality Mark Summers from "Unwrapped" was at Baskins Square in October shooting a segment at the funnel cake place for an episode to air in the spring.

Terry Morrow may be reached at morrowt@knoxnews.com or 865-342-6445. His blog can be found at blogs.knoxnews.com/knx/telebuddy/. He contributes to "Live @ Five @ Four" on WBIR, Channel 10, and "The Marc & Kim & Frank Show" on WWST-FM, 102.1.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel
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