BoxRec

I wasn't aware that there are still versions of this boxing reality tv show happening.
There is a Contender: Jamaica vs Canada series currently ongoing and the Jamaican Contender series is apparently in its 7th season with the winner set to take home $2 million dollars. Seems like The Contender series has done very well in the Caribbean.

How many versions of The Contender tv series have aired and in what countries?
I know the show first aired in 2005 in America. It was on network television for one season then had two seasons on espn2 before moving to Versus network for one season.
Shortly afterwards there was a Contender: Australia. The winner of that series landed a fight with Australian star Anthony Mundine.

Have there been boxing shows in other countries using The Contender name?

I effing love The Contender, especially the 1st series, i seen the 1st 3 seasons, Mora, Brewer and Bika were the winners, i also remember watching a UK vs USA version, USA wiped the floor with us, I'm pretty sure the only one of ours who won was Anthony Small who funnily enough is a Jihadist these days, or something like that, basically he's an even bigger pudendum than he was before

I liked it too, watched all four seasons that were broadcast here in the USA.
Had forgotten The Contender UK vs USA show, I'm pretty sure I have that show on a dvd somewhere.

handsofstone wrote:I effing love The Contender, especially the 1st series, i seen the 1st 3 seasons, Mora, Brewer and Bika were the winners, i also remember watching a UK vs USA version, USA wiped the floor with us, I'm pretty sure the only one of ours who won was Anthony Small who funnily enough is a Jihadist these days, or something like that, basically he's an even bigger pudendum than he was before

Robin Reid beat Jesse Brinkley as well I think?

Alan minters son was doing his opponent really well but got iced in the last round from memory. Like herol graham did vs jackson

I remember the first series really well, great show! I even rewatched it on YouTube about a year ago. They were really big on manfredo but he got upset in the first fight vs Gomez. Ishe smith was a bit feared by the others as well, except kaddour but he proved he was nowhere near as good as his mouth suggested. Overall mora was a deserved winner.

I watched series 2 but can't remember it as well. K9 bundrige put out a fancied guy early and was a bit of a character. He got upset by Grady brewer in the final I think. I know nothing of brewers career.

I watched another series but can't say if it was series 3. Buddy mcgirt and correa were the coaches. Paul smith was in it but dropped out after one fight after suffering a cut. Bika and Sam Soliman were in it and were fairly respect fighters. Bika beat jaidon codrington (the guy who got iced by Allan green in 20 seconds) in the final in a great scrap

Ossyrules wrote:

handsofstone wrote:I effing love The Contender, especially the 1st series, i seen the 1st 3 seasons, Mora, Brewer and Bika were the winners, i also remember watching a UK vs USA version, USA wiped the floor with us, I'm pretty sure the only one of ours who won was Anthony Small who funnily enough is a Jihadist these days, or something like that, basically he's an even bigger pudendum than he was before

Robin Reid beat Jesse Brinkley as well I think?

Alan minters son was doing his opponent really well but got iced in the last round from memory. Like herol graham did vs jackson

Yeah Reid won but looked terrible.

The guy that Derevyanchenko fought supposedly won the Carribean Contender. He actually put up a good fight against the very talented Derevyanchenko. You can see why they sent him over.

There were four seasons of The Contender when it was just titled that. They never aired a fifth season. The fourth season had cruiserweights and it was aired on the Versus network. Tony Danza (actor on TV series Taxi and Who's The Boss?) was the host of the show in the fourth season. Troy Ross won the tournament which was expected, although Darnell Wilson was in it. I did not know about these Contender shows from other countries. I wonder if they are on YouTube.

You can watch seasons 1 & 2 here, if you want: http://sockshare.net/watch/EvJEMEdW-the ... son-1.html

I think The Contender was a brilliant concept. Look at how well The Ultimate Fighter is doing now. If they brought it back, with a decent budget, then I'd definitely watch it.

The concept was good, though the edited fights with fake sound was beyond stupid.

The contender brought the awesome number 1 daddy Anthony Bonsanye in the public eye... which thankfully allowed the creepy, potentially paedo bellend to catch a few beatings in TV fights!

he really, really loved his kids, you know

#no1dad

boxingknockout wrote:The contender brought the awesome number 1 daddy Anthony Bonsanye in the public eye... which thankfully allowed the creepy, potentially paedo bellend to catch a few beatings in TV fights!

I remember in round 1 whoever won the team challenge (normally west side) called out there east opponent. Guys we're taking the toughest fight

Gomez called out manfredo
Narji Turpin (deceased) called out Mora
Kaddour called out Ishe Smith
Brinkley called out Johnathan Reid

Bonsante went against that and called out the weakest guy, Brent cooper. Completely out matched opponent. That didn't go down well in the house. Luckily Brinkley ktfo him next round

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:The concept was good, though the edited fights with fake sound was beyond stupid.

Come on! It's Stallone!

A heavyweight version in the states would be golden.
It could be a ratings success

tiny_acres wrote:A heavyweight version in the states would be golden.
It could be a ratings success

I'm not sure there are enough half decent heavyweights in the USA these days...

Now if number 1 daddy went up in weight!?

I wish they'd bring back this show. Of course, without the fight editing and foley that made it cheesy and less real.

Never forget that announcer...

BOXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXINGGG ACTION

JCS wrote:Never forget that announcer...

BOXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXINGGG ACTION

Yes, but it was more like BUUUUAAAAHHHHHXING ACTION!