Bangkok--17 Jul--Total Quality PR
A brand new season of the popular boxing reality series, The Contender, will debut on AXN (Ch.19, UBC), the heart of action and adventure television on 20 July at 9pm. Season 2 promises more power-packed action and riveting drama without the family tears. This time around, boxing legend and five-time world champion Sugar Ray Leonard will serve as mentor and host, together with Tommy Gallagher and Jeremy Williams as trainers. The Contender Season 2 Premieres Thursday 20 July @ 9pm only at AXN (UBC 19).
Executive producers Mark Burnett (The Apprentice and Survivor), Oscar nominee, Sylvester Stallone (Rocky) and Jeffrey Katzenberg (of Dreamworks Television) are also back to helm the show in the new season.
In keeping with tradition, this unscripted reality series sets out a competitive search for the next boxing superstar from 16 aspiring fighters. Viewers will see the contestants training in the ring, living together in one house, and witness their personal interactions, while learning the details of these men's lives and what led them to pursue their dreams.
Unlike the first season, however, where the participants contested at middleweight, Season 2 will see the 16 fighters in welterweight division; square off in elimination style battle. The fights will pack an extra punch this season with more fight time and double the action. Look out for the new level of group dynamics when the 16 fighters live together in one big common room.
The first season of The Contender made stars out of champion Sergio Mora and runner-up Peter Manfredo Jr. This season, who will crowned as the next Contender?
Be sure not to miss the action on AXN!
FIGHTER PROFILES
Fighter: Aaron Torres, 26
Pro Record (W-L-D): 14-2-0, 6 KO’s
Having grown up on the rough streets of Philadelphia, Torres has maintained an impressive career, having fought in over 100 fights and winning all but ten. Currently, Torres holds a record of fourteen wins, six by way of knockout, and two losses.
Fighter: Andre “Daredevil” Eason, 30
Pro Record (W-L-D): 15-4-0, 6 KO’s
Born and raised in New York, “Daredevil” grew up on the tough streets of Brooklyn, often finding himself in fights at school and on the street. Now, Eason does all his fighting in the ring, making his professional debut at age twenty-three with Adrian Reed, and currently putting together a record of fifteen wins, six by way of knockout, and four losses.
Fighter: Cornelius “K-9” Bundrage, 32
Pro Record: 21-1-0,13 KO’s
Cornelius “K-9” Bundrage was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. As his alias suggests, Bundrage has a reputation of being a dog inside the ring. In 2005, Bundrage won the United Boxing Association (UBA) Intercontinental Light Middleweight title and boasted an undefeated record of twenty-one wins, including thirteen knockouts.
Fighter: Ebo “The X-treme Machine” Elder, 27
Pro Record (W-L-D): 22-2-0,14 KO’s
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Ebo “The X-treme Machine” Elder followed in his father’s footsteps and started boxing at the tender age of eight. He enjoyed a long, illustrious amateur career with 139 wins before turning professional in 2000. With a record of twenty-two wins, fourteen by way of knockout, and two losses, Elder is currently ranked as a top ten contender by all major boxing organizations.
Freddy “Furious Freddy” Curiel, 30
Pro Record (W-L-D): 15-5-2, 6 KO’s
Born in Vernon, New Jersey, Freddy Curiel a.k.a. “Furious Freddy”, started boxing at age fourteen. Curiel fought for the North American Boxing Organization (NABO) Welterweight title and held his own with boxing star Hector Camacho Jr. A passionate boxer with championship dreams, Curiel sports a professional record of fifteen wins, with six knockouts, five loses and two draws.
Gary “Tiger” Balletto, 30
Pro Record (W-L-D): 29-2-2, 25 KO’s
Gary “Tiger” Balletto is known in the sport of boxing as one of the best punchers, pound for pound. A former International Boxing Union (IBU) Champion, Balletto holds a professional record of twenty-nine wins, twenty-five by way of knockout, two draws and two losses.
Grady “Bad Boy” Brewer, 34
Pro Record (W-L-D): 18-11-0, 12 KO’s
Born and raised in Lawton, Oklahoma, Grady “Bad Boy” Brewer is a boxer known to bounce back despite the odds against him. Brewer has been regarded as the “opponent” and constantly selected to fight on short notice. As a result, Brewer’s record of eighteen wins with twelve knockouts and eleven losses neglects to accurately reflect his near victories over some of boxing’s most talented and highly ranked fighters, including Jermain Taylor and Sechew Powell.
Jeff “HellRaza” Fraza, 28
Pro Record (W-L-D): 17-2-0, 10 KO’s
Massachusetts native Jeff “HellRaza” Fraza is back for season two of The Contender. Having become ill with the chicken pox in season one, Fraza was forced to drop out of the competition, allowing Peter Manfredo Jr. to return and eventually make it to the finale. This time around, the two-time New England Light Welterweight Champion is ready for his shot and eager to use this second chance to prove his worth.
Michael “Cold Blood” Clark, 32
Pro Record (W-L-D): 35-3-0, 16 KO’s
Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Michael “Cold Blood” Clark warns not to judge him by his good looks alone. He’s traveled the world under the tutelage of world-renown trainer Emmanuel Steward and trained at the famous Cronk Gym in Detroit, Michigan. A former International Boxing Council (IBC) World Champion, Clark holds a record of thirty-five wins, sixteen by way of knockout, and three losses. Included in his wins is his victory in 2002 over fellow Contender Gary Balletto, a fight in which Clark claims to have destroyed the New Jersey native.
Micheal “No Joke” Stewart, 28
Pro Record (W-L-D): 38-4-2, 22 KO’s
Originally from Columbia, Tennessee, Micheal “No Joke” Stewart distinguishes himself from the pack with his thick, raspy voice and blue-collar appeal. With an outstanding record of thirty-eight wins, twenty-two by way of knockout, four losses and two draws, Stewart is a boxing veteran.
Nick Acevedo, 30
Pro Record (W-L-D): 15-1-0, 9 KO’s
Born and raised in New York City, Nick Acevedo is a certified computer technician and the single father of five. A former International Boxing Association (IBA) Intercontinental titleholder, Acevedo held a perfect record of fifteen wins, nine by way of knockout, before succumbing to the pressure of his rising status.
Norberto “El Gallito” Bravo, 34
Pro Record (W-L-D): 20-10-3, 12 KO’s
Norberto Bravo was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. Also known as “El Gallito” (“The Fighting Rooster”), Bravo describes himself in the ring as unrelenting and willing to fight till death if necessary. As an amateur, Bravo competed in 130 fights and boasted an impressive 120 wins. He made his debut as a professional at age twenty and holds a record of twenty wins, ten losses, three draws, with twelve knockouts.
Rudy “El Cachorro” Cisneros, 24
Pro Record (W-L-D): 8-1-0, 7 KO’s
Chicago native Rudy “El Cachorro” Cisneros is a spirited, young boxer with loads of ambition and dreams of becoming a world champion. During his amateur career, Cisneros traveled the world, garnering an extensive record with more than 100 fights. He was the two-time Chicago Golden Gloves Champion, winner of the silver medal at the United States Championship and bronze medal recipient at the 2004 Olympic Trials.
Steve “2 Pound” Forbes, 28
Pro Record (W-L-D): 29-3-0, 9 KO’s
Cool, confident, and cutthroat, Steve “2 Pound” Forbes is considered a top competitor and the one to beat on The Contender. Currently ranked eleventh in the world, Forbes holds an International Boxing Federation (IBF) title and sports a record of twenty-nine wins with three knockouts and three losses.
Vinroy “Slick” Barrett, 30
Pro Record (W-L-D): 21-4-0, 11 KO’s
Vinroy “Slick” Barrett was born and raised in Jamaica. Since turning professional, Barrett has made a name for himself, garnering the World Boxing Federation (WBF) Americas Welterweight title and posting a record of twenty-one wins with ten knockouts and four losses.
Walter “2 Guns” Wright, 24
Pro Record (W-L-D): 10-1-0, 5 KO’s
A native of Seattle, Walter “2 Guns” Wright possesses the heart of a champion and a positive outlook on life. An alternate for the United States boxing team at the 2000 Olympics, Wright boasted a successful amateur career, winning ninety of his 102 fights.
About AXN
Delivering top rated series, blockbuster features, adventure-reality and first-run lifestyle sports programming, AXN is a leading international television destination among young adults 18-34. AXN is seen in 50 countries across Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East, and is part of Sony Pictures Television International’s diverse portfolio of over 40 global networks. Sony Pictures Television International is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.
AXN Asia is available to more than 37 million households 24-hours daily throughout Asia in Taiwan, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Japan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Cambodia, South Korea, Macau, Papua New Guinea, Nepal, Maldives, Mongolia and in hotels and VIP compounds in China. AXN can also be seen in 40 million cable television households on time-block basis in China. More information about AXN Asia can be found online at www.axn-asia.com
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