Thread: Why So Much Hate on 'The Contender' Series?

Hey guys just wanted to discuss why everybody seems to hate the contender series so much? Most reasons are because it is 'unrealistic' with it's sense of drama, sound effects and music.
I just remember when I wasn't a boxing fan and my friends were talking about it. I switched on and really enjoyed the series. Definitely made me more interested in boxing. I enjoyed everybodies individual stories and still see nothing wrong with that because its interesting to know how someone got into boxing and what they've been through. Also the music I felt added to the drama as well as the sound effects in the fights. Now, this is what people hate the most because it makes the boxing like a 'Rocky' movie (which we all know it's not) but boxing is still a high drama sport so I don't see what's wrong with trying to make people at home more aware of the drama by adding music, cutting to scenes of their family in the crowd and adding to the sounds of the punches? If it brings makes a non-boxing fan into a casual fan then surely it's served its purpose?
Another reason people hate it is because after the show, the contenders start getting undeserved title shots..I don't agree with them getting world title shots obviously but they are usually put in front of a big name boxer or prospect to draw more interest into the other guy. Altogether not a bad thing.

Discuss your reasons for liking/disliking the series. Thanks guys

They edit 5 round fights. WTF


i've alway said they should do it like american idol. have one show for the little crappy challenges and back story of the fighters and then have a show the next day that shows the full fight.

they only show what they want you to see so you can only see the fight the way the judges saw the fight and thats gay.

Originally Posted by 'The Boxer'

they only show what they want you to see so you can only see the fight the way the judges saw the fight and thats gay.

Ah good point..didn't think of that. CC

None here bro.. I love it

I think people are just to tetchy and picky with it like the way they match guys up and how they make guys out to be..

And lets admit alot of guys that talk shit about boxing never boxed a lick in theyr lives so they just dont understand the drastic change of skill between one fighter to another..

For example anyone who calls Pete Manfredo Jr a Bum needs to get some rounds in.. With anyone.. With theyr sister.. Doesnt matter.. Causse they just dont understand boxing right if they believe that..

Now Guys on the contender are good guys .. Alot of those good guys arent and may never realy be world class though..they are either struggling prospects coming up and they need a big shot and the money and publicity on the side is enough to temp them to sign up..

Or they are guys that are right on the line that is world class and they just cant seem to cross it..

Dont know why.. Guess some tarts just feel like when it comes to world class boxing that the contender just isnt legit.. But thats just a really uptight and unneccessary way of lookin at it

Originally Posted by Tito BHB

None here bro.. I love it

I think people are just to tetchy and picky with it like the way they match guys up and how they make guys out to be..

And lets admit alot of guys that talk shit about boxing never boxed a lick in theyr lives so they just dont understand the drastic change of skill between one fighter to another..

For example anyone who calls Pete Manfredo Jr a Bum needs to get some rounds in.. With anyone.. With theyr sister.. Doesnt matter.. Causse they just dont understand boxing right if they believe that..

Now Guys on the contender are good guys .. Alot of those good guys arent and may never realy be world class though..they are either struggling prospects coming up and they need a big shot and the money and publicity on the side is enough to temp them to sign up..

Or they are guys that are right on the line that is world class and they just cant seem to cross it..

Dont know why.. Guess some tarts just feel like when it comes to world class boxing that the contender just isnt legit.. But thats just a really uptight and unneccessary way of lookin at it

Great insight man...I feel that way too. I always took it for what it was and enjoyed..hell it's boxing on terrestial TV over here and I'm kool with that! CC

I really liked the first series, great characters, a worthy main prize and loads of entertaining challenges with great rewards for the fighters if they won.

The two subsequent series seem really watered down to me, like half the show is missing. You just get a brief pre fight training, the fight, post fight interview and its all over.

There's hardly any drama inside the house practically everyone gets on it's just so utterly dull.

The first series had personal tensions and grudges that just arn't shown in the latter series. They are still there, Codrington and Alexander both wound people up but the 'reality' sides of these shows are now all but removed.

That may be a good thing to some, but it kind of ruins the whole point of the show, reality tv without the reality just seems pointless to me.

I also hate the way the show is so heavily censored and stuffy. It's supposed to be about combat, a real working mans enviroment but it's devoid of any swearing, violence, arguments, disputes etc.

Give me the Ultimate Fighter any day of the week, at least that shit is entertaining.

I respect the fighters on the contenders. They've attracted some name fighters to the show also. My problem is the editing of the fights.

The last Contender fight should have got everyones respect including those who dislike The Contender. That was what boxing needed.

what happend to that series two winner, the bloke who beat forbes?

Grady Brewer hasn't fought since beating Steve Forbes

The Contender is a dumb idea to begin with it takes crappy ass fighters and tries to make them title holders.....last time I checked we had enough crappy title holders in every division.


And the fact they edit the 5 round fights is crap.....don't they edit in sound too?

I could go on for days here but I'll come at it with only one main gripe.

There was a time when ESPN was the staple and a very dedicated weekly source for 2 or 3 hour fight cards on a reliable basis.I simply believe there "getting by on the cheap" in a way with the Contender.They should dedicate their assets,time and money to involving these very same fighters with the real exposure they deserve.Put them in solid 10 rounders,show the entire fight,not some watterd down 5 rounder ,forget all of the chimes and whistles and get back to professional efforts.Screw all the glitz and flashy camerea angles.
Its really a rah-rah show more about the "look of the product" as opposed to the actual sport of boxing Imo.That may be harsh but thats how I feel.Almost feels like it's very own fight stable of guys and they are pushed hard into the big time and ultimatley they will lose that natural developemnt time needed to realize how good they actually may be.Some Vets get a respectable push and well earned shot (Forbes),but honesly unless he brings a base ballbat vs. Oscar he don't stand a chance,but a good payday for him .
Really for me it's the network who does not do as good a job in boxing and has seemingly lost it's dedication it displayed years ago.They spend Billions on NFL,They preempt Boxing for Bowling and AA Baseball and just treat it like a red headed step child sometimes.ONE positive I really like is their creation of the ESPN classic network and its library of great thrills (Thanks to Bill Cayton Rip) that it airs regularly.Even that is offset now buy the explosion of U-Tube and the unbelievable access to countless fights,Not to sound like a cynical old fool ? but with respect,many young fans dont realize how good they have it these days.

doesn't grady brewer have like 10 losses or am i thinkg of some other guy.