NBC in ‘Contender’s’ Corner
Wed Feb 25, 7:36 AM ET
By Nellie Andreeva
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – On Sylvester Stallone’s home turf — the no-frills L.A. Boxing Club in a gritty part of downtown Los Angeles where he trains — the actor along with producer Mark Burnett officially announced “The Contender,” a new reality boxing series for NBC.
Sitting in front of a kickboxing ring decorated in white, red and blue, the two, who executive produce the project with DreamWorks’ Jeffrey Katzenberg, fielded questions Tuesday from reporters about the series, which will chronicle the lives of 16 aspiring boxers who vie for the top prize, which will include a monetary component as well as a chance at becoming a professional prizefighter.
“I’m going to be Donald Thump,” Stallone quipped when asked to compare his role on the show to that of Donald Trump on Burnett’s hit reality series “The Apprentice” on NBC.
There is an idea about getting such boxing greats as Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier to appear on the DreamWorks TV/Mark Burnett Prods. show, and they may even spar with Stallone.
“Me actually going in the ring with a few of these people and friends, I think that will be kind of fun,” Stallone said.
The winner will not sign with any of the existing professional boxing organizations. Burnett confirmed that the goal is to launch a new federation that will handle the best contenders on the show.
“Right now, the focus is first of all to take 16 fighters and give them a chance,” Burnett said. “But going forward, yes, the intention is to protect these fighters and give them a chance.”
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter