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The Contender Premiering Tuesday, 8 March, 10.30am
90-minute Special, Same Time Broadcast As U.S.
Repeat broadcast at 10pm
Subsequent New Episodes — every Monday, starting 14 March 10pm
Only at AXN (UBC 19)
When the tough world of boxing meets the glamorous world of reality TV, expect a no-holds-barred, gritty competition that will keep you on the edge of your seat, rooting for the protagonists as they spar, jab and sidestep their way into boxing history.
From reality-TV guru Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Apprentice), and on-screen boxing legend Sylvester Stallone, comes a brand new hard-hitting, unscripted drama about people who dare to fight for their dreams.
Premiering first and exclusively on AXN, The Contender offers a chance for sixteen aspiring boxers to become professional prizefighters, and to win a cool million dollars in the process. There to supervise them on their road to fame and fortune will be none other than Hollywood muscleman Sylvester “Sly” Stallone himself, whose iconic boxer character Rocky became the ultimate symbol of the American dream.
Bringing together the best fighters from a USA-wide search, The Contender lines up intense training designed to turn wannabes into prizefighters. At the end of each week, the fighters will battle it out in a series of bouts in the boxing ring — bouts that will determine if they have what it takes to move one step closer to victory in an unforgiving sport where there is no room for excuses, no space for error and no time for fear.
Helping them on their way to the final showdown will be International Boxing Hall of Fame legend Sugar Ray Leonard — the boxing Olympic gold medallist who won an unprecedented five world titles in five weight classes and went on to be named the Fighter Of The Decade for the 1980s. Along with Sylvester Stallone, Leonard will take on the role of a boxing mentor to the fighters.
Exposing the guts and the glory of the world of boxing, The Contender will leave you inspired by the dreams, conflicts, triumphs and defeats of the dreamers who dare to give their all in the pursuit of the fabled American dream — dreamers who you will discover are much more than just lean mean fighting machines.
Boxing Mentors
Sylvester Stallone — Host & Boxing Mentor
Sylvester “Sly” Stallone catapulted to fame when he brought the gritty glamour of the world of boxing to the big screen in 1976, with the breakthrough film that made his character a symbol of the American dream — Rocky. Since then, with his constant scowl and a body rippling with muscles, he has gone on to star in such Hollywood action greats like Rambo, Daylight and Cliffhanger.
Sugar Ray Leonard
One of the superstars of the boxing world, Sugar Ray Leonard filled the void when Muhammad Ali retired in 1981. Equipped with speed, ability and charisma, Leonard captured the public’s imagination after winning a gold medal at the 1976 Olympics. He went on to win an unprecedented five world titles in five weight classes and was named the Fighter of the Decade for the 1980s.
The Contenders
Ahmed “Baby Face” Kaddour, 23, Boxer
Record: 18 Wins, 0 Losses, 0 Draws, 9 KO
Ahmed had a very successful (18 — 0) pro career in Europe, and came to the U.S. when he was spotted and signed by a boxing manager. A good-looking man with an astounding amateur record of 81 — 1, he claims he has retained his good looks simply because no one can hit him.
Juan “El Gallo Negro” De La Rosa, 18, Boxer
Record: 12 Wins, 0 Losses, 1 Draw, 11 KO
The youngest contender, Juan claims that he feels his dead grandfather’s presence at every bout, inspiring him to become a better boxer. A neck chain with his grandfather’s picture on it is always kept close at hand, and is only taken off during bouts.
Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith, 26, Boxer
Record: 14 Wins, 0 Losses, 0 Draws, 7 KO
Ishe claims that he was recently forced into bankruptcy by boxing agents and managers who took advantage of him. His mission on The Contender is to restore the integrity of the sport, and to provide for his family.
Jesse Brinkley, 28, Boxer
Record: 23 Wins, 1 Loss, 0 Draws, 16 KO
A loud country boy who learned how to fight from Rocky movies, Jesse’s dream is to fight DeLaHoya.
Brent “The Disciple” Cooper, 31, Personal Trainer
Record: 20 Wins, 2 Losses, 2 Draws, 15 KO
Once a junkie and an alcoholic, Brent turned to religion to help him kick the habits. His passion now lies in boxing.
Miguel Espino, 25, Boxer
Record: 9 Wins, 1 Loss, 1 Draw, 3 KO
Miguel takes boxing as his way out of poverty, and dreams of buying a house for his parents and helping his sister attend law school.
Jeff “The Hell Raza” Fraza, 27, Boxer
Record: 16 Wins, 2 Losses, 0 Draws, 10 KO
One of the smaller contenders, Jeff comes from a lineage of boxers, and now trains under Mickey Ward.
Joey Gilbert, 28, Lawyer
Record: 8 Wins, 0 Losses, 0 Draws, 7 KO
Joey had a distinguished amateur boxing career with his university team, and became a lawyer in order to help clean up boxing.
Alfonso Gomez, 24, Boxer
Record: 10 Wins, 2 Losses, 1 Draw, 4 KO
A former Mexican, Alfonso’s father has trained him in “Mexican style” boxing since young. A strong believer in that style of boxing, Alfonso has so far refused to ‘un-learn’ what he has been taught.
Jimmy Lange, 29, Boxer
Record: 21 Wins, 0 Losses, 0 Draws, 10 KO
Jimmy prays with a priest before every fight, and is passionate about “saving boxing” from its bad rep and corruption. He has the highest IQ of the group.
Peter “The Pride of Providence” Manfredo, Jr., 24, Electrician
Record: 21 Wins, 0 Losses, 0 Draws, 10 KO
Peter grew up watching boxers in his father’s gym, and though a happy-go-lucky guy, he does not take criticism well.
Segio “The Latin Snake” Mora, 25, Boxer
Record: 12 Wins, 0 Losses, 3 KO
Born and raised in the ghettos without a father, Segio’s desire for a better life turned him to sports instead of gangs. He now works with kids in the ghettos to help give them the same alternative.
Jonathan “Reid Dawg” Reid, 32, Boxer
Record: 34 Wins, 1 Loss, 0 Draws, 20 KO
Jonathan once spent 3 years in prison for armed robbery, but has since cleaned up. With his fifth child on the way, he says winning the million dollar prize money won’t change things, because he already has what counts.
Tarick “The Arabian Prince” Salmaci, 33, Real Estate Agent.
Record: 19 Wins, 1 Loss, 0 Draws, 5 KO
Passionate about boxing, getting selected to be on The Contender was an emotional affair for Tarick, as he knows this is his last chance at becoming what he’s always wanted to be — a boxing champ. End.