| Larry Stewart, in his August 11, 2006 column for the LA Times. com says that The Contender has become a winner! Here are some excerpts: * “Boxing is in a slump… * “There is one boxing format, however, that is suddenly showing signs of success — “The Contender.” * The reality series has been revamped from its first season on NBC and is now on ESPN Tuesday nights at 7.” * “Through four weeks, it is averaging a 1.2 rating and each show is reaching an average of 1.1 million homes. That represents a 33% increase for the same time slot last year.” * “ESPN is the perfect home for the show,” said Jeffrey Katzenberg, co-founder of DreamWorks and one of the creators of “The Contender.” * “The lead producer is Mark Burnett, creator of the “Survivor” series. Last year Sylvester Stallone and Sugar Ray Leonard were co-hosts, but Stallone is now busy filming another “Rocky” movie, leaving Leonard as the lone host.” * “The series started four weeks ago with 16 fighters and is now down to 12. Each show provides an inside look at the fighters and their families and friends and concludes with a five-round fight. The losers go home until only two are left. The live finale will take place Sept. 26 at the Staples Center, with the winner getting $500,000.” * “The boxers, culled from a nationwide search, are all professionals with winning records, and all in the 148-pound weight class.” For Larry Stewart’s full article click HERE – Craig |