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Haverhill, Mass., boxer Jeffrey Fraza, known as "Hell Raza" on a TV reality show, died after being hit by a commuter train, transit authority officials said.]]> https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/former-the-contender-boxer-jeffrey-fraza-killed-by-commuter-train-1027831.php rtvw-news-former-the-contender-boxer-jeffrey-fraza-killed-by-commuter-train-1027831 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:34:04 -0500

Sugar Ray Leonard says his Dancing with the Stars experience with professional partner Anna Trebunskaya was a standout moment in his life despite the couple's elimination during Tuesday night's live results show on ABC. ]]> Elizabeth Kwiatkowski https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/sugar-ray-leonard-dancing-with-stars-best-time-of-my-life-12178.php rtvw-news-sugar-ray-leonard-dancing-with-stars-best-time-of-my-life-12178 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 22:28:49 -0400 The Contender host and executive producer Sylvester Stallone. ]]> Steve Rogers and John Bracchitta https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/new-contender-host-tony-danza-not-fan-of-original-host-sly-stallone-8097.php rtvw-news-new-contender-host-tony-danza-not-fan-of-original-host-sly-stallone-8097 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:05:29 -0500 The Contender has revealed its fourth-season cast and announced Tony Danza will replace boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard as the host of the show's Versus edition, which will premiere on the network in December. ]]> John Bracchitta https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-contender-reveals-fourth-season-cast-tony-danza-host-7804.php rtvw-news-the-contender-reveals-fourth-season-cast-tony-danza-host-7804 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:19:59 -0400

It's been knocked down twice now, but The Contender apparently isn't down for the count just yet. ]]> Christopher Rocchio https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/versus-picks-up-the-contender-from-espn-air-muay-thai-spinoff-7751.php rtvw-news-versus-picks-up-the-contender-from-espn-air-muay-thai-spinoff-7751 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:47:38 -0400 The Contender. ]]> Christopher Rocchio https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/espn-cancels-the-contender-expected-land-with-another-network-6918.php rtvw-news-espn-cancels-the-contender-expected-land-with-another-network-6918 Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:42:07 -0400 The Contender's third-season crown during Tuesday night's live finale broadcast of the ESPN reality competition series. ]]> Christopher Rocchio https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/sakio-bika-defeats-jaidon-codrington-claim-the-contender-3-title-6067.php rtvw-news-sakio-bika-defeats-jaidon-codrington-claim-the-contender-3-title-6067 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 00:00:28 -0500

ESPN has announced it has ordered a third season of The Contender and revealed the identities of the 16 super middleweights who will compete in the boxing reality competition series, which will premiere Tuesday, September 4 at 10PM ET/PT. ]]> Christopher Rocchio https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/espn-renews-contender-reveals-cast-series-debut-september-4-5643.php rtvw-news-espn-renews-contender-reveals-cast-series-debut-september-4-5643 Tue, 07 Aug 2007 09:56:21 -0400

ESPN has announced plans for The Contender Challenge, a new reality series that will follow a team of The Contender boxers as they take on seven British boxers for the inaugural "Sugar Ray Leonard Cup."  The six-episode series is scheduled to premiere on ESPN on Tuesday, April 10, and it will also be shown in Britain on ITV. ]]> Christopher Rocchio https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/espn-announces-ryder-cup-like-the-contender-challenge-series-4692.php rtvw-news-espn-announces-ryder-cup-like-the-contender-challenge-series-4692 Mon, 12 Feb 2007 10:08:23 -0500

"A Winner is Crowned!," our episode summary for the twelfth and final episode of ESPN's second season of The Contender, written by ARnutz, is now available. ]]> Admin https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-contender-2---finale-episode-summary-4353.php rtvw-news-the-contender-2---finale-episode-summary-4353 Fri, 29 Sep 2006 11:16:20 -0400

Grady Brewer has won The Contender's second season tournament, upsetting Steve Forbes in a ten round, split decision finale bout broadcast live on ESPN from the Los Angeles Staples Center on Tuesday night. ]]> Admin https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/grady-brewer-wins-contender-2-in-split-decision-over-steve-forbes-4347.php rtvw-news-grady-brewer-wins-contender-2-in-split-decision-over-steve-forbes-4347 Wed, 27 Sep 2006 15:08:41 -0400

"Three Classy Boxers and One Dirty Dawg!," our episode summary for the eleventh episode of ESPN's second season of The Contender, written by ARnutz, is now available. ]]> Admin https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-contender-2---episode-11-summary-4341.php rtvw-news-the-contender-2---episode-11-summary-4341 Thu, 21 Sep 2006 11:09:16 -0400

"…and We Get Down to the Final 'Fabulous' Four!," our episode summary for the tenth episode of ESPN's second season of The Contender, written by ARnutz, is now available. ]]> Admin https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-contender-2---episode-10-summary-4331.php rtvw-news-the-contender-2---episode-10-summary-4331 Fri, 15 Sep 2006 00:21:03 -0400

"Rehashing the Rivalry!," our episode summary for the ninth episode of ESPN's second season of The Contender, written by ARnutz, is now available. ]]> Admin https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-contender-2---episode-9-summary-4324.php rtvw-news-the-contender-2---episode-9-summary-4324 Fri, 08 Sep 2006 04:02:49 -0400

"Only the Strongest Will Survive," our episode summary for the eighth episode of ESPN's second season of The Contender, written by ARnutz, is now available. ]]> Admin https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-contender-2---episode-8-summary-4319.php rtvw-news-the-contender-2---episode-8-summary-4319 Sat, 02 Sep 2006 15:52:32 -0400

The aftermath of a reality boxing show viewing party got too real for some Boston-area revelers and resulted a wild free-for-all.]]> https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-contender-2-viewing-party-attendees-brawl-after-jeff-fraza-loss-1009626.php rtvw-news-the-contender-2-viewing-party-attendees-brawl-after-jeff-fraza-loss-1009626 Thu, 24 Aug 2006 17:29:17 -0400

"It’s A Two-fer!!!," our episode summary for the seventh episode of ESPN's second season of The Contender, written by ARnutz, is now available. ]]> Admin https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-contender-2---episode-7-summary-4310.php rtvw-news-the-contender-2---episode-7-summary-4310 Thu, 24 Aug 2006 14:36:45 -0400

"Don’t Count Him Out Just Yet!," our episode summary for the sixth episode of ESPN's second season of The Contender, written by ARnutz, is now available. ]]> Admin https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-contender-2---episode-6-summary-4302.php rtvw-news-the-contender-2---episode-6-summary-4302 Sun, 20 Aug 2006 20:20:39 -0400

"Put Up or Shut Up!," our episode summary for the fifth episode of ESPN's second season of The Contender, written by ARnutz, is now available. ]]> Admin https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-contender-2---episode-5-summary-4277.php rtvw-news-the-contender-2---episode-5-summary-4277 Thu, 10 Aug 2006 14:35:38 -0400

"The Ole Switcheroo!!!," our episode summary for the fourth episode of ESPN's second season of The Contender, written by ARnutz, is now available. ]]> Admin https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-contender-2---episode-4-summary-4266.php rtvw-news-the-contender-2---episode-4-summary-4266 Sun, 06 Aug 2006 21:00:13 -0400

"Stand Up and Take it Like a Man!," our episode summary for the third episode of ESPN's second season of The Contender, written by ARnutz, is now available. ]]> Admin https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-contender-2---episode-3-summary-4251.php rtvw-news-the-contender-2---episode-3-summary-4251 Fri, 28 Jul 2006 00:16:26 -0400

"Confidence Will Only Get You So Far," our episode summary for the first and second episodes of ESPN's second season of The Contender, written by ARnutz, is now available. ]]> Admin https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-contender-2---episodes-1-and-2-summary-4245.php rtvw-news-the-contender-2---episodes-1-and-2-summary-4245 Sun, 23 Jul 2006 18:37:13 -0400

ESPN, Mark Burnett Productions, and DreamWorks Television have revealed the identities of the sixteen boxers who will compete on the second season of The Contender, which will premiere Tuesday, July 18 at 10PM ET/PT on ESPN. ]]> Admin https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/espn-reveals-identities-of-its-the-contender-2-boxers-4236.php rtvw-news-espn-reveals-identities-of-its-the-contender-2-boxers-4236 Tue, 27 Jun 2006 17:58:57 -0400

ESPN has announced that rather than debut in April as was originally planned, its new season of The Contender will premiere on Tuesday, July 18 at 10PM ET/PT. ]]> Admin https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/espn-new-edition-of-the-contender-premiere-july-18-3936.php rtvw-news-espn-new-edition-of-the-contender-premiere-july-18-3936 Sun, 15 Jan 2006 12:53:50 -0500

Confirming the recent public statements of ESPN executives, Mark Burnett Productions, DreamWorks Television, and the cable sports giant announced today that the network will become the new broadcast home of The Contender, last winter's critically-acclaimed but low-rated reality boxing series that NBC canceled after only a single season. ]]> Admin https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/espn-formally-announces-pickup-of-the-contender-second-season-premiere-in-april-2006-3659.php rtvw-news-espn-formally-announces-pickup-of-the-contender-second-season-premiere-in-april-2006-3659 Thu, 11 Aug 2005 11:27:50 -0400

Nearly two months after talk about The Contender returning on another network first started circulating, ESPN reportedly confirmed yesterday that it is close to a deal to acquire the rights for a second season the cancelled NBC reality boxing series. ]]> Admin https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/report-espn-confirms-being-close-the-contender-second-season-deal-3617.php rtvw-news-report-espn-confirms-being-close-the-contender-second-season-deal-3617 Tue, 19 Jul 2005 12:09:52 -0400

In the fourteenth episode of NBC's boxing reality-competition show The Contender, heavily-favored Sergio 'The Latin Snake' Mora (now 15-0, 4 KOs) pounded his way to the show's $1 million final match by decisively thrashing Jesse Brinkley (now 25-2, 17 KOs) in the last semifinal match, winning by unanimous decision. With his win, Sergio will face Peter Manfredo Jr. (24-1, 10 KOs) in the seven-round bout, to be held at the famed Caesar's Palace venue in Las Vegas on Tuesday, May 24, with the live broadcast beginning at 8PM ET. ]]> AyaK https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/sergio-mora-pounds-jesse-brinkley-reach-nbc-1000000-contender-final-bout-3526.php rtvw-news-sergio-mora-pounds-jesse-brinkley-reach-nbc-1000000-contender-final-bout-3526 Mon, 23 May 2005 17:27:09 -0400

In a semifinal rematch of the opening episode of NBC's The Contender, Peter Manfredo Jr. (now 24-1, 10 KOs) avenged the only defeat of his career with a seven-round unanimous decision over Alfonso Gomez Jr. (now 12-3-1, 4 KOs) in the thirteenth episode of the show. ]]> AyaK https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/peter-manfredo-jr-avenges-loss-advances-the-contender-finals-with-win-over-alfonso-gomez-3499.php rtvw-news-peter-manfredo-jr-avenges-loss-advances-the-contender-finals-with-win-over-alfonso-gomez-3499 Mon, 16 May 2005 03:14:05 -0400

In the final quarterfinal match, which took place in the twelfth episode of NBC's reality-competition boxing show The Contender, the two most reluctant warriors in the dominant 'Italian Clan' coalition (also known as the "Gutless Four") were forced into the ring to do "battle." Unfortunately, they couldn't both lose. ]]> AyaK https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/jesse-brinkley-tko-anthony-bonsante-in-nbc-twelfth-contender-episode-3476.php rtvw-news-jesse-brinkley-tko-anthony-bonsante-in-nbc-twelfth-contender-episode-3476 Mon, 09 May 2005 16:42:01 -0400

On the eleventh episode of NBC's reality-competition boxing show The Contender, the "Italian Clan" coalition (aka the "Gutless Four" for their penchant to fight easy fights, unlike the rest of the boxers) were forced to begin fighting each other, with two spots in the semifinals at stake. In the first such fight, lawyer, former NCAA boxing champion and Sylvester Stallone nutrition endorser Joey Gilbert (now 9-1, 7 KOs) was defeated by Peter Manfredo (now 23-1, 10 KOs) in a split decision after the bout was stopped early due to a severe cut suffered by Joey as a result of an accidental head butt. ]]> AyaK https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/peter-manfredo-cuts-and-ousts-joey-gilbert-in-nbc-eleventh-contender-episode-3463.php rtvw-news-peter-manfredo-cuts-and-ousts-joey-gilbert-in-nbc-eleventh-contender-episode-3463 Mon, 02 May 2005 14:27:21 -0400

In the ninth and tenth episodes of NBC's reality-competition boxing show The Contender, both the good and the bad parts of the show's formula were on display, and not necessarily to the show's best advantage. ]]> AyaK https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/sergio-mora-edges-ishe-smith-alfonso-gomez-whips-ahmed-kaddour-on-nbc-the-contender-3441.php rtvw-news-sergio-mora-edges-ishe-smith-alfonso-gomez-whips-ahmed-kaddour-on-nbc-the-contender-3441 Mon, 25 Apr 2005 17:02:46 -0400

In a double shocker, huge underdog Joey Gilbert (now 9-0, 7 KOs) defeated Jimmy Lange (now 24-2-1, 17 KOs), the boxer Anthony Bonsante was too chicken to fight, in a five-round unanimous decision to complete the first round of NBC's The Contender, while last week's winner Juan de la Rosa claimed sufficient injury to pull out of the competition, leaving just seven first-round winners left after eight episodes. ]]> AyaK https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/joey-gilbert-upsets-jimmy-lange-as-juan-de-la-rosa-quits-on-nbc-eighth-the-contender-episode-3419.php rtvw-news-joey-gilbert-upsets-jimmy-lange-as-juan-de-la-rosa-quits-on-nbc-eighth-the-contender-episode-3419 Mon, 18 Apr 2005 09:41:23 -0400

During the first seven episodes of NBC's reality-competition boxing show The Contender, co-hosts Sylvester Stallone and Sugar Ray Leonard have made several references to the fact that contestant/lawyer Joey Gilbert (who will be fighting in this week's episode against Jimmy Lange) is the best and best-conditioned all-around athlete in the show's sixteen boxer field. Now, it appears that Stallone has found a way to use Joey's athleticism to his advantage. ]]> AyaK https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/contender-boxer-joey-gilbert-signs-nutrition-endorsement-pact-with-host-sly-stallone-3410.php rtvw-news-contender-boxer-joey-gilbert-signs-nutrition-endorsement-pact-with-host-sly-stallone-3410 Thu, 14 Apr 2005 00:59:00 -0400

With one fight in the first round still remaining, one thing is certain on NBC's The Contender reality competition boxing show : an Arab-American will not win the million-dollar first prize. ]]> AyaK https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/juan-de-la-rosa-defeats-tarick-salmaci-in-nbc-seventh-the-contender-episode-3399.php rtvw-news-juan-de-la-rosa-defeats-tarick-salmaci-in-nbc-seventh-the-contender-episode-3399 Mon, 11 Apr 2005 23:11:47 -0400

"Stray Bullet Takes Out The Disciple," our episode summary for the sixth episode of NBC's The Contender, written by PhoenixMons, is now available. ]]> Admin https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-contender---episode-6-summary-3385.php rtvw-news-the-contender---episode-6-summary-3385 Wed, 06 Apr 2005 17:22:06 -0400

In the sixth episode of NBC's reality-competition boxing show The Contender, the West's Anthony "The Bullet" Bonsante (now 26-4-3, 15 KOs) stopped the East's Brent Cooper (now 20-3-2, 15 KOs) at 0:38 of the third round. However, the victory may have cost Anthony more than the place in the second round that he gained is worth. ]]> AyaK https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-contender-anthony-bonsante-tko-brent-cooper-but-double-crosses-his-team-3378.php rtvw-news-the-contender-anthony-bonsante-tko-brent-cooper-but-double-crosses-his-team-3378 Mon, 04 Apr 2005 15:53:39 -0400

The "angel on his shoulder" -- his wife Yamilka -- propelled the East's Peter Manfredo Jr. (now 22-1, 10 KOs) to a stunning come-from-behind win over the West's Miguel Espino (now 9-2-1, 3 KOs) in his "second chance" on the fifth episode of NBC's The Contender. All three judges scored the five-round bout 48-47 (3 rounds for Peter, 2 for Miguel), giving the East its first win in the series. ]]> AyaK https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/miguel-espino-edged-by-resurgent-peter-manfredo-in-nbc-fifth-the-contender-episode-3358.php rtvw-news-miguel-espino-edged-by-resurgent-peter-manfredo-in-nbc-fifth-the-contender-episode-3358 Mon, 28 Mar 2005 10:20:34 -0500

NBC announced today that it would add a special "recap edition" of its The Contender reality-competition boxing show, to be shown on Sunday, March 27 (Easter Sunday) at 7PM ET/PT. This special edition will serve as the lead-in to the show's regularly scheduled 8PM broadcast of its fifth episode.. ]]> AyaK https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/nbc-air-special-easter-sunday-the-contender-recap-episode-3355.php rtvw-news-nbc-air-special-easter-sunday-the-contender-recap-episode-3355 Fri, 25 Mar 2005 23:38:19 -0500

"An American Tragedy," our episode summary for the fourth episode of NBC's The Contender, written by ARnutz, is now available. ]]> Admin https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-contender---episode-4-summary-3356.php rtvw-news-the-contender---episode-4-summary-3356 Fri, 25 Mar 2005 07:46:43 -0500

It looks like NBC's The Contender may not be down for the count on Sunday nights after all, despite last week's debacle. ]]> AyaK https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/ratings-nbc-the-contender-rallies-in-its-second-sunday-night-broadcast-3351.php rtvw-news-ratings-nbc-the-contender-rallies-in-its-second-sunday-night-broadcast-3351 Thu, 24 Mar 2005 11:17:21 -0500

In the fourth episode of NBC's reality-competition boxing show The Contender, chicken pox ended up giving one boxer a second chance, while two other boxers left without the $1 million first prize. ]]> AyaK https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/najai-turpin-and-jeff-fraza-depart-the-contender-as-peter-manfredo-jr-returns-3340.php rtvw-news-najai-turpin-and-jeff-fraza-depart-the-contender-as-peter-manfredo-jr-returns-3340 Mon, 21 Mar 2005 12:46:44 -0500

"The Lord of the Ring," our episode summary for the third episode of NBC's The Contender, written by KObrien_fan, is now available. ]]> Admin https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-contender---episode-3-summary-3330.php rtvw-news-the-contender---episode-3-summary-3330 Thu, 17 Mar 2005 17:53:33 -0500

NBC's aggressive launch strategy for its reality-competition boxing show The Contender took a hard hit to the body on Sunday, March 13, when the third episode -- but the first episode in its intended time slot (Sunday at 8 PM ET/PT) -- hit the airwaves with a resounding thud. ]]> AyaK https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-contender-suffers-ratings-knockdown-in-its-first-sunday-broadcast-3318.php rtvw-news-the-contender-suffers-ratings-knockdown-in-its-first-sunday-broadcast-3318 Tue, 15 Mar 2005 16:46:46 -0500

"Shut-up, Put-up, Go Hard or Go Home!," our episode summary for the second episode of NBC's The Contender, written by volsfan, is now available. ]]> Admin https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-contender---episode-2-summary-3319.php rtvw-news-the-contender---episode-2-summary-3319 Tue, 15 Mar 2005 16:37:59 -0500

The grudge match that everyone wanted to see in the third episode of NBC's reality-competition boxing show The Contender is over, but the complete domination of West boxers over East boxers continues unabated. ]]> AyaK https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/ishe-smith-eliminates-ahmed-kaddour-in-third-episode-of-nbc-the-contender-3312.php rtvw-news-ishe-smith-eliminates-ahmed-kaddour-in-third-episode-of-nbc-the-contender-3312 Mon, 14 Mar 2005 10:24:42 -0500

"Unusual Circumstances," our episode summary for the premiere episode of NBC's The Contender, written by I_AM_HE, is now available. ]]> Admin https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-contender----episode-1-summary-3313.php rtvw-news-the-contender----episode-1-summary-3313 Mon, 14 Mar 2005 09:26:53 -0500

Will East Coast boxing survive NBC's The Contender? ]]> AyaK https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/jonathan-reid-becomes-second-straight-east-star-ousted-in-nbc-the-contender-3309.php rtvw-news-jonathan-reid-becomes-second-straight-east-star-ousted-in-nbc-the-contender-3309 Fri, 11 Mar 2005 13:33:39 -0500

Those people who said that NBC's new reality-competition boxing show The Contender would struggle to find female viewers were correct. Nevertheless, the March 7 premiere of The Contender, while not a huge success, showed promise for the later rounds. ]]> AyaK https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/nbc-the-contender-premiere-garners-ratings-split-decision-3301.php rtvw-news-nbc-the-contender-premiere-garners-ratings-split-decision-3301 Wed, 09 Mar 2005 13:22:40 -0500

One of the real surprises when the cast for NBC's The Contender was announced was that Peter Manfredo, Jr., a promising middleweight with a 21-0 record who was ranked #3 in the world by the World Boxing Organization, had agreed to become one of the 16 contestants on the reality-competition boxing show. A bigger surprise, shown on the March 7 premiere episode of The Contender, was that Peter became the first contestant eliminated from the show, as he suffered his first pro defeat at the hands of Alfonso Gomez, Jr. (now 11-2-1 as a pro). ]]> AyaK https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/peter-manfredo-jr-loses-undefeated-record-in-premiere-of-nbc-the-contender-3297.php rtvw-news-peter-manfredo-jr-loses-undefeated-record-in-premiere-of-nbc-the-contender-3297 Tue, 08 Mar 2005 12:48:51 -0500

For the first time since 1976 and only the second time ever, a motion picture focused on the world of boxing, Clint Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby, won the Best Picture Oscar at the Academy Awards. Will that success translate into a wider interest in (or even a wider tolerance of) boxing? NBC's new reality-competition boxing series, The Contender, which premieres at 9:30 PM ET/PT on Monday, March 7, certainly hopes so. ]]> AyaK https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/nbc-the-contender-comes-out-swinging-hoping-be-mark-burnett-next-reality-knockout-3291.php rtvw-news-nbc-the-contender-comes-out-swinging-hoping-be-mark-burnett-next-reality-knockout-3291 Sat, 05 Mar 2005 13:47:52 -0500