The Contender (2005–2007)

Hosts Sylvester Stallone and Sugar Ray Leonard give 16 young boxing hopefuls a shot at the big time in this Mark Burnett and Jeffrey Katzenberg reality drama. The Contender will delve into ... See full summary »

Creator:

Mark Burnett

Stars:

Sugar Ray Leonard, Jeff Connor, Alfonso Gomez Jr.

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Sugar Ray Leonard	...	Himself - Host (43 episodes, 2005-2007)
Jeff Connor	...	Himself - Ring Announcer (32 episodes, 2005-2007)
Alfonso Gomez Jr.	...	Himself - Fighter (32 episodes, 2005-2007)
Tommy Gallagher	...	Himself - Trainer (27 episodes, 2005-2006)
Jeremy Williams	...	Himself - Trainer (27 episodes, 2005-2006)
Sergio Mora	...	Himself - Fighter (27 episodes, 2005-2007)
Jeff Fraza	...	Himself - Fighter (27 episodes, 2005-2006)
Peter Manfredo Jr.	...	Himself - Fighter (25 episodes, 2005-2007)
Jesse Brinkley	...	Himself - Fighter (22 episodes, 2005-2007)

Storyline

Hosts Sylvester Stallone and Sugar Ray Leonard give 16 young boxing hopefuls a shot at the big time in this Mark Burnett and Jeffrey Katzenberg reality drama. The Contender will delve into the lives of each of the boxers as they work their way to a million dollar paycheck and a career as a professional boxer.

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Plot Keywords:

boxing | boxing ring | punch | elimination | challenge | 

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Taglines:

The next great human drama

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Genres:

Reality-TV | Sport

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Details

Official Sites:

NBC Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 March 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bokszakadémia

Filming Locations:

Caesars Palace - 3570 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

DreamWorks SKG, ESPN, Mark Burnett Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min 90 min 120 min 60 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Both Sylvester Stallone's daughters appear in this show as spectators in a fight.

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Quotes

Joey Gilbert: Don't hate the player, hate the game. I'm just following the rules.

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Connections

Featured in Favouritism: Boy George's Queerest TV Moments (2005)

User Reviews

Jesse VS Sergio (Was it Real or a Dive)?

You know when I first watch 'The Contender' I thought it was pretty neat. A real boxing match, no one takes a dive, its all guts and glory. But I got to tell you, after watching Jesse and Sergio's fight I was pretty SHOCK! I had this recorded on my DVR. And if anyone else did check out round six. Jesse had just beat Sergio in round five, but as he seat on his stool getting ready for round seven, his trainer/manager tells him "Let him have this round" and Jesse comes out not throwing any punches and give round six to Sergio, just as his corner told him to do. Again, all of you that taped it look at the end of round 5 going into 6. I guess all shows have scripts to follow.