The Contender Season 3 Debuts September 4th - Fighters Announced

While episodes will be structured similarly to previous seasons, more of the bouts will be seen each week. In addition, every bout will air in its entirety, most likely on ESPN2.

"The good news for the hard-core boxing fan is that the fights will be available on one of our network platforms," Wechsler said. "We want to continue providing 'Contender' fans with the show that they love and we also want to give hard-core fans what they want."

A fourth season is being discussed with heavyweight as the target division.



Updated: Aug. 3, 2007, 2:45 PM ET

Super MiddleWeights gear up for third season of "The Contender"

By Dan Rafael
ESPN.com

AROUND THE RING"Contender" returns for third season

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Who will be the Season 3 champion of "The Contender"?"The Contender," the popular ESPN reality series, is getting back in the ring for a third season with a mix of experienced contenders and youthful prospects among the 16 super middleweights who will vie for the tournament title and $750,000 grand prize.

The series, which stars Hall of Famer Sugar Ray Leonard as host and mentor to the boxers and counts reality TV hit maker Mark Burnett as an executive producer, began production last week in Los Angeles with the fighters going through interviews, background checks, and physical fitness and psychological tests. The tournament's five-round bouts begin filming next week.

The new 10-episode season debuts Sept. 4 (10 p.m. ET) and will air Tuesdays through the live finale on Nov. 6 at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston.

"I think what we've got this year is a combination of experienced guys who have fought for world championships and very good prospects who will wind up fighting for world championships," said "Contender" promoter Jeff Wald, one of the executive producers.

Said Ron Wechsler, ESPN vice president of scripted content: "'The Contender' has grown into a global brand that has come to represent world-class action inside of the ring and compelling human interest outside of it. This season, we look toward the stacked super middleweight division to continue to bring the most entertaining fights and dedicated fighters to our audience."

Here's the rundown of the 16 fighters in the field, which will be trimmed to 10 by the end of the first episode (in alphabetical order with age, hometown and pro record):

• Max Alexander (26, Camden, N.J., 14-1, 2 KOs).
• David Banks (24, Portland, Ore., 14-2-1, 2 KOs).
• Sakio Bika (28, Sydney, Australia, via Cameroon, 22-3-2, 14 KOs).
• Henry "Sugar Poo" Buchanan (28, Capital Heights, Md., 14-1, 11 KOs).
• La Farrell Bunting (27, Las Vegas, 16-3-1, 16 KOs).
• Jaidon Codrington (23, New York, 16-1, 12 KOs).
• Miguel Hernandez (32, Chicago, 20-5, 10 KOs).
• Wayne Johnson (29, Lyndhurst, N.J., 16-1, 9 KOs).
• Donny McCrary (24, St. Joseph, Mo., 23-5-2, 13 KOs).
• Les Ralston (25, Buffalo, N.Y., 16-2, 9 KOs).
• Danny Santiago (34, Ocala, Fla., 29-3-1, 19 KOs).
• Paul Smith (24, Liverpool, England, 20-0, 12 KOs).
• Sam Soliman (33, Melbourne, Australia, 33-9, 13 KOs).
• Brian Vera (26, Austin, Texas, 14-0, 9 KOs).
• Rhoshii Wells (30, Las Vegas, 18-2-2, 10 KOs).
• Rubin Williams (31, Detroit, 29-2-1, 16 KOs).

The fighters this season are as a whole more accomplished than they were in the first two seasons. Bika, Soliman, Santiago and Williams have all fought for world titles, and Bika was also a 2000 Olympian for Cameroon. Codrington and Smith are notable prospects. Wells was a 1996 U.S. Olympian.

In addition to beefing up the level of fighters, producers have also vastly improved the training staff. Gone are Tommy Gallagher and Jeremy Williams, who have been replaced by Buddy McGirt, one of the best trainers in the sport, and Pepe Correa, who worked with Leonard and former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, among others, during his 40-year career.

"We've upgraded the trainers. Buddy is as good as they can possibly get and a good guy and great television, and Pepe is a guy who is collaborative, calm and experienced," Wald said. "The balance of personalities between Buddy and Pepe is incredible. It's a real upgrade."

One of the chief complaints from boxing fans about the series in seasons past is that the bouts that end each episode were heavily edited down to just a couple of minutes of action. That has been addressed for this season.

Their idea of a seasoned vet is sam soliman :-\ I'm not looking forawrd to this season at all except for the fact that they'll show the fights in their entirity this time, definite plus. Stacked supermiddle weight division?

Well, it is better than before IMO, some veterans mixed in. My darkhorse pick is Banks.

The last two seasons i've successfully picked the runner up but i'll have to see the first show before i make any picks.

OH SHIIITTTT

My man Jaidon is gona be in it?

In it to win it baby!!

Imagine if they had jaidon and Curtis stevens? That'd b crazy yo

Im all over this

Very pleased to see the line-up for this one, there are some really good recognisable international fighters in there, and as there are a few I know, I think I'll probably be tuning in this time.

good post, and good news. Jaidon and banks are both guys that i think will do real well.

I think this is shaping up to be a great season. There are far more recognisable names here than the previous two. Guys like Bika and Soliman give the show some credibility.........providing they don't win.

If a guy like Codrington or Banks beats Bika or Soliman then it's a legitimate win over a credible opponent (although 5 rounds still sucks) and will certainly boost their careers once they out.

Nice to see a British guy Paul Smith in there, first time we've had an English fighter to root for.

Should be good.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bilbo

I think this is shaping up to be a great season. There are far more recognisable names here than the previous two. Guys like Bika and Soliman give the show some credibility.........providing they don't win.

If a guy like Codrington or Banks beats Bika or Soliman then it's a legitimate win over a credible opponent (although 5 rounds still sucks) and will certainly boost their careers once they out.

Nice to see a British guy Paul Smith in there, first time we've had an English fighter to root for.

Should be good.

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Exactly...I think the inclusion of Smith is probably a nod to the fact that it is screened over here, and to add to the international marketability of the show.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by superheavyrhun

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bilbo

I think this is shaping up to be a great season. There are far more recognisable names here than the previous two. Guys like Bika and Soliman give the show some credibility.........providing they don't win.

If a guy like Codrington or Banks beats Bika or Soliman then it's a legitimate win over a credible opponent (although 5 rounds still sucks) and will certainly boost their careers once they out.

Nice to see a British guy Paul Smith in there, first time we've had an English fighter to root for.

Should be good.

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Exactly...I think the inclusion of Smith is probably a nod to the fact that it is screened over here, and to add to the international marketability of the show.

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I reported over a year ago that they offered Scott Dann a place on the show but he retired through injury. Shame he was just on the brink of world class and it would have been nice to see him get a shot.

Jaidon needs a good boost like this right now..

I mean..Yes it was just the one loss but it has had a major effect..

One minute he was showtime and shobox.. the next hes waaayyy back on NYC Broadway boxing..

Hes a nice young prospect and needs to grow some more.. I think a big match up with some vets on this show could put him up top

Very interesting cast. I'm definitely gonna be tuning in.

What happens if Sam Soliman wins. Which he may very well do? He has been a contender and not been quite good enough. Thats gotta be bad for the show.

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Originally Posted by nonito (formerly eagle)

What happens if Sam Soliman wins. Which he may very well do? He has been a contender and not been quite good enough. Thats gotta be bad for the show.

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The dude gets paid, I think he'll be happy enough with the quarter mill or whatever it is.

nice cast, wish they could have gotten lacy but apparently he wasnt fully healed in time, that would have been interesting