BoxRec

Dan Raphael reports that The Contender will soon return to TV.

Sounds like the format will be the same as previous with contenders split into 2 teams each with their own trainer.

The new series will feature middleweights.

I loved that show.

I worked with a couple of the biggest names on the first series. One of them told me that they were expected to make a mainstream name for themselves on network tv only to get fed to the real champs in easy money fights. All that backfired on the promotors who were not happy when these reality stars started beating the real champs.

The trainers and fighters have not yet been announced, but Jeff Wald, the co-creator of the series and a co-executive producer, told ESPN that the middleweight division will be featured. He said the season will be filmed in the Los Angeles area and that production will begin in April.

During the season, the boxers will live together, train together and fight each other, with boxers being eliminated along the way until the last two meet for "The Contender" title and an undisclosed six-figure purse.

Unlike in past seasons, where each episode culminated with a heavily edited version of that week's elimination fight, Wald told ESPN that the new season will show each scheduled five-round fight in its entirety without the editing many boxing fans were so critical of.

Manfredo jr, Gomez, Turpin.
That first season created some fan favourites...

Epix used to have some fights not too long ago, so I guess it makes sense they picked up the show.

Fuckin buzzing for this! Loved that show! Would've been better if they showed the fights properly instead of the edited dramatic version but it was a great show all the same! Hopefully it's broadcast in the UK again.

Luckybattles wrote: ↑23 Jan 2018, 03:05 I worked with a couple of the biggest names on the first series. One of them told me that they were expected to make a mainstream name for themselves on network tv only to get fed to the real champs in easy money fights. All that backfired on the promotors who were not happy when these reality stars started beating the real champs.

lol yes and no... Mora was pretty average for an elite level/unbeaten fighter. He beat an aging Forrest, who spanked him on the return fight. Manfesdo beat no-one decent ever. Ishe Smith was a rubbish champion. Gomes done really well for a limited fighter

danconnollyeire wrote: ↑23 Jan 2018, 12:20

Luckybattles wrote: ↑23 Jan 2018, 03:05 I worked with a couple of the biggest names on the first series. One of them told me that they were expected to make a mainstream name for themselves on network tv only to get fed to the real champs in easy money fights. All that backfired on the promotors who were not happy when these reality stars started beating the real champs.

lol yes and no... Mora was pretty average for an elite level/unbeaten fighter. He beat an aging Forrest, who spanked him on the return fight. Manfesdo beat no-one decent ever. Ishe Smith was a rubbish champion. Gomes done really well for a limited fighter

Appearing on the show definitely gave them a leg up though. Hopefully some fringe contenders realise this and we get a decent calibre of fighter this new series. Hopefully they show the actual fights as well instead of dramatised highlights.....

I'm looking forward to this, always liked The Contender.
The four season initial run lasted longer than I thought it would, I hope the new show lasts as long as the original and stays on one network this time
One season on network tv, next two seasons on espn then one on the old Versus network.
After that there was a Contender: Australia in which the winner got a fight with Australian star Anthony Mundine.
Then the seven season run the Jamaican Contender which is apparently a very popular show there. The caliber of fighters on the Jamaican show seems to be somewhat less than the original show.
2011 winner: Rikardo Smith(career record 7-4)
2012: Donovan Campbell(14-10-2)
2013: Devon Moncrief(12-8-1)
2014: Sakima Mullings(24-3)
2015: Kemahl Rusell(12-1)
2016: old man DeMarcus Corley(50-28-1)
2017 Sakima Mullings(24-3)

To my knowledge no fighter who appeared on the Jamaican version has went on to a world title fight.

I guess I'm one of the few people that doesn't like Reality TV trite even when it's presented in Boxing form. I didn't love the show.

Could've liked it at least if they'd have shown the fights in full, but they always showed highlights with movie clips to heighten the drama and distort what the actual fight was. Wasn't my cup of tea.