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Tarick Salmaci

Tarick is of Lebanese descent, and his father and grandfather were boxers.  Originally from Detroit, Tarick started boxing at the age of 8 at a local recreation center. With support and training from his grandfather and father (who were both professional boxers) Tarick has earned a phenomenal middleweight fighting record (20-1).

At the age of 32, he is a husband and a father of a 2-year-old daughter. Once ranked fourth in the world, Tarick hopes to put his profession as a broker to the side in order to become a full time professional boxer and a world champion fighter.

Before going Pro, Tarick was an Olympic Trials finalist. As a Pro, he won the NABO (North American Boxing Organization) Middleweight Championship, was rated #4 in the world by the WBO and #6 in the world by the WBC. It was after being rated that his career went downhill because his management and promoter promised him a shot at the world championship, but they never delivered on the promise. He became very disillusioned with boxing and gave it up entirely three years ago. With a baby on the way, he had to find a way to support his family. After earning a B.A. from the University of Michigan, Tarick got his real estate license and became a broker with RE/MAX Team 2000 in Dearborn, Mi. He sells homes there and also fixes up old houses and flips them.

Despite financial success and a six-figure income, Tarick felt like something was still missing and he wanted another shot. When he learned he was a finalist on The Contender he came close to tears. He knows this is his last chance at becoming what he's wanted to be all his life: a champion.

Tarick is married to his high school sweetheart, Dena, who is Italian and a freelance make-up artist and model. Dena's unconditional love and support has given him the strength to get through the ups and downs in his boxing career. Together they have a lovely 2.5 year old daughter, Ava, for whom Tarick is working hard to win this competition.