TOWNSVILLE-born boxer Les Sherrington is going to be a contender – on international TV. The former Australian super-middleweight champion has been named as a certain starter for the 2009 season of Sylvester Stallone's popular boxing reality show The Contender.
The show – rumoured to be filmed in Australia for the first time next year – featured Australian boxers Sam Soliman and eventual winner Sakio Bika last season.
Sherrington had originally been offered a place in that line-up, but was forced to decline because of the arduous task of travelling to America to try out against the other hopefuls.
"I got accepted for it last year, I had pretty much signed the contract and I didn't do it because the contract was a bit too full-on for me, they just wanted too much," he said.
"It was a bit heartbreaking to let it go but this (new contract) sort of said `we want you over anyone else'.
"So we've had more time to act on the contract and everything and it's all going ahead."
The opportunity is a dream come true for the 26-year-old who only picked up the sport as an 18-year-old while living in Townsville.
He has since won the Australian title, successfully defended it and then relinquished it to make his mark on the world stage.
"I had a year-and-a-half off in between that so I haven't been boxing for that long at all," he said.
"For me to be in that situation already, it's been brilliant."
The Contender has gained worldwide acclaim and lifted Bika and Soliman from virtual unknowns into the eyes of the international boxing world.
Sherrington said the exposure could only help him forge a name for himself on the world stage.
"Both of their careers (Bika and Soliman's) were pretty much standing still, they were pretty much in the twilight of their careers," he said.
"And now they've sort of hit a new level, haven't they?"
Sherrington will return to Townsville on August 21 to take on China's Jimmy Yang for the WBF super-middleweight title at Jupiters Casino.
He is also booked in for a bitter rematch with rival Jamie Pittman on the undercard to former rugby league bad-boy John Hopoate in a pay-per-view fight night at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on September 10.
Filming for The Contender begins in January
Les Sherrington on The Contender 09
Les Sherrington on The Contender 09
In the townsville paper up here they have a story about les beenin on the show in 09,and might be filmed in oz,not bad for a guy that fights bums and havsnt good a win under his belt.
Re: Les Sherrington on The Contender 09
ryan711 wrote:In the townsville paper up here they have a story about les beenin on the show in 09,and might be filmed in oz,not bad for a guy that fights bums and havsnt good a win under his belt.
TOWNSVILLE-born boxer Les Sherrington is going to be a contender – on international TV. The former Australian super-middleweight champion has been named as a certain starter for the 2009 season of Sylvester Stallone's popular boxing reality show The Contender.
The show – rumoured to be filmed in Australia for the first time next year – featured Australian boxers Sam Soliman and eventual winner Sakio Bika last season.
Sherrington had originally been offered a place in that line-up, but was forced to decline because of the arduous task of travelling to America to try out against the other hopefuls.
"I got accepted for it last year, I had pretty much signed the contract and I didn't do it because the contract was a bit too full-on for me, they just wanted too much," he said.
"It was a bit heartbreaking to let it go but this (new contract) sort of said `we want you over anyone else'.
"So we've had more time to act on the contract and everything and it's all going ahead."
The opportunity is a dream come true for the 26-year-old who only picked up the sport as an 18-year-old while living in Townsville.
He has since won the Australian title, successfully defended it and then relinquished it to make his mark on the world stage.
"I had a year-and-a-half off in between that so I haven't been boxing for that long at all," he said.
"For me to be in that situation already, it's been brilliant."
The Contender has gained worldwide acclaim and lifted Bika and Soliman from virtual unknowns into the eyes of the international boxing world.
Sherrington said the exposure could only help him forge a name for himself on the world stage.
"Both of their careers (Bika and Soliman's) were pretty much standing still, they were pretty much in the twilight of their careers," he said.
"And now they've sort of hit a new level, haven't they?"
Sherrington will return to Townsville on August 21 to take on China's Jimmy Yang for the WBF super-middleweight title at Jupiters Casino.
He is also booked in for a bitter rematch with rival Jamie Pittman on the undercard to former rugby league bad-boy John Hopoate in a pay-per-view fight night at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on September 10.
Filming for The Contender begins in January
Not bad at all, how were the TVS fights? did you watch them all?
ross
Re: Les Sherrington on The Contender 09
"He has since won the Australian title, successfully defended it and then relinquished it to make his mark on the world stage."
When did that happen?
When did that happen?
Re: Les Sherrington on The Contender 09
i far as i know the show is not about the superstars of the game. it gives some guys the opportunity to be exposed to the masses. i know that a young geelong fighter (KANE MCKAY) is also signed up for 09' Contender over some more fancied boys because of his life story. i've seen Les fight a few times and believe he represents good value. go boys.ryan711 wrote:In the townsville paper up here they have a story about les beenin on the show in 09,and might be filmed in oz,not bad for a guy that fights bums and havsnt good a win under his belt.
Re: Les Sherrington on The Contender 09
Porky would dominate The Contender.
Is this going to be a dead set Aussie version?
Is this going to be a dead set Aussie version?
Re: Les Sherrington on The Contender 09
australasian i think marlin, don't know if we have enough numbers at smw??
Re: Les Sherrington on The Contender 09
Why do they always do SMW? It's gotta be one of the weakest divisions around. A contender at Lightweight or Super Feather would be great.
Re: Les Sherrington on The Contender 09
The general public isn't interested in little blokes...calmac66 wrote:Why do they always do SMW? It's gotta be one of the weakest divisions around. A contender at Lightweight or Super Feather would be great.
Re: Les Sherrington on The Contender 09
They are interested if they are good enough. Most Australian World Champions have been in the lighter divisions. Carruthers, Rose, Famechon, Fenech, Ellis, Michael, Tszyu. None over ten stone.
Re: Les Sherrington on The Contender 09
jeff harding?????
Re: Les Sherrington on The Contender 09
Disagree, and agree, Super Middleweight is not a weak a division, you are absolutely kidding, if you think it is the weakest division, and this is purely based on perception of Australian Boxing. However Light and Super feather is strong in both Australian and world standards.calmac66 wrote:Why do they always do SMW? It's gotta be one of the weakest divisions around. A contender at Lightweight or Super Feather would be great.
Re: Les Sherrington on The Contender 09
Yeah, Sherington' not exactly the guy you want representing Australia after Sakio and Sam, But oh well.
Re: Les Sherrington on The Contender 09
agree.Hounddog wrote:Yeah, Sherington' not exactly the guy you want representing Australia after Sakio and Sam, But oh well.
Re: Les Sherrington on The Contender 09
Hounddog wrote:Disagree, and agree, Super Middleweight is not a weak a division, you are absolutely kidding, if you think it is the weakest division, and this is purely based on perception of Australian Boxing. However Light and Super feather is strong in both Australian and world standards.calmac66 wrote:Why do they always do SMW? It's gotta be one of the weakest divisions around. A contender at Lightweight or Super Feather would be great.
I think there are a lot of good fighters in SMW but very few GREAT fighters. Nothing personal against the boxers, just my opinion. Bute remains untested, Calzaghe is gone, Kessler could be, but he still needs to get back on the horse. Andrade is a warrior and I love to watch him but he isn't and won't be a great. Lacy was too hyped, same with Allan Green.