BoxRec

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Hounddog wrote:Yeah, Sherington' not exactly the guy you want representing Australia after Sakio and Sam, But oh well.

Hounddog wrote:

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.

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.