The Contender: A reflective thread

Discussion in 'British Boxing Forum' started by daveyboy1609, Jul 20, 2011.


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  1. daveyboy1609

    daveyboy1609 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    (Disclaimer: This definatly has the potential to be a lead balloon but **** it)

    Six years ago a TV show debuted onto our screens, a boxing drama where the characters, fights and results were real and unknowns were created into recognisable faces who still to this day have substantial followings.

    By no means was The Contender perfect but I stumbled upon the first episode again today and it reminded me how it helped me fall in love with the sport, as ridiculous as that might sound.

    Its a shame the subsequent series weren't too great but that first series was that broke new ground in boxing and pushed it back to a mainstream audience.

    I certainly wouldn't complain if it was bought back in a few years and back to its original format.

    What were others thoughts on the series and if you watched it back in the day?


    Fighters who got title shots since the first series:

    Alfonso Gomez L Cotto (WBO Welterweight)
    Peter Manfredo L Calzaghe (WBO Super-Middleweight)
    Jesse Brinkley L Bute ( IBF Super-Middleweight)
    Sergio Mora W Vernon Forrest (and L subsequent rematch) (WBC Light-middleweight)
    Troy Ross L Steve Cunningham (IBF Cruiserweight)
    K9 Bundrage W Cory Spinks (IBF Light-Middleweight)
    Steve Forbes L Berto ( WBC Welterweight)
    Sakio Bika L Bute L Ward (IBF and WBA Super Middleweight)

    Other notable fighters

    Ishe Smith Middleweight/JR Middleweight Contender
    Brian Vera Middleweight/ Supermiddle contender
     
    daveyboy1609, Jul 20, 2011
    daveyboy1609, Jul 20, 2011
    #1
  2. cheekyvid

    cheekyvid Detroit, I shall return. Full Member

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    tbh, it really helped me get into the sport, that 1st series was awesome and some of the guys on it really got their profile boosted. it went downhill after series 1 but it was great
     
    cheekyvid, Jul 20, 2011
    cheekyvid, Jul 20, 2011
    #2
  3. slip&counter

    slip&counter Gimme some X's and O's Full Member

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    Incidently, It was produced by the same guy who does the apprentice.
     
    slip&counter, Jul 20, 2011
    slip&counter, Jul 20, 2011
    #3
  4. cheekyvid

    cheekyvid Detroit, I shall return. Full Member

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    the american version aye.

    which was also great in the 1st series and went downhill rapidly. mind you that may have a lot to do with the fact that trump is a dick
     
    cheekyvid, Jul 20, 2011
    cheekyvid, Jul 20, 2011
    #4
  5. wrimc

    wrimc Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    The only problem i am aware with the contender series and correct me if i am wrong because i never really watched it was they didnt show the end product the actual fights in full.
     
    wrimc, Jul 20, 2011
    wrimc, Jul 20, 2011
    #5
  6. daveyboy1609

    daveyboy1609 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    It gets **** upon by some I think but **** it that first series was ****ing amazing. The amount of people that I know it got into boxing, even in a casual way, was unreal.
     
    daveyboy1609, Jul 20, 2011
    daveyboy1609, Jul 20, 2011
    #6
  7. daveyboy1609

    daveyboy1609 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Yeah that was one of the problems, but it played into the whole Hollywood style of the show. Think they made the full fights available at some stage though? Would have been a good idea if they put them up on the website straight after.
     
    daveyboy1609, Jul 20, 2011
    daveyboy1609, Jul 20, 2011
    #7
  8. cheekyvid

    cheekyvid Detroit, I shall return. Full Member

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    yeah, well they showed clips and slow-mos and added dramatic music throughout the series so casual fans thought "****ing hell these fights are awesome!"

    then when it came to the live final and the fights were shown in full...the quality obviously wasnt top class and some of the fights a bit duller than had been sold through the highlight clips shown through the series
     
    cheekyvid, Jul 20, 2011
    cheekyvid, Jul 20, 2011
    #8
  9. daveyboy1609

    daveyboy1609 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mtg7J7zTjjs[/ame]

    Episode One if anyone fancies watching :good
     
    daveyboy1609, Jul 20, 2011
    daveyboy1609, Jul 20, 2011
    #9
  10. cheekyvid

    cheekyvid Detroit, I shall return. Full Member

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    cheers man.

    i'll always remember najai turpin, that **** was very sad
     
    cheekyvid, Jul 20, 2011
    cheekyvid, Jul 20, 2011
    #10
  11. rocky1

    rocky1 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    The first series was excellent, only now can u appreciate how good that win by alfonso gomez over Manfredo jr was, a natural welter beating a natural super middleweight when Manfredo was the favourite going into it the tournament.
     
    rocky1, Jul 20, 2011
    rocky1, Jul 20, 2011
    #11
  12. wrimc

    wrimc Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I understand your point but the ultimate fighter the UFC version of the show which the contender show was actually a reaction to showed the fights in full and I can;t see how some of those fights would have been too exciting.

    Seems to me that you want to sell the product of boxing if you want to get people to watch you have to let them see the actual boxing. The hype is done through the reality show side of it.
     
    wrimc, Jul 20, 2011
    wrimc, Jul 20, 2011
    #12
  13. daveyboy1609

    daveyboy1609 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He has ****ing balls. Just watching that bit now he's tiny and like "I want Manfredo" and everyones looking at him like WTF? Then he comes out and beats him :rofl Always liked Gomez because of that.

    And he beat Brinkley as well!
     
    daveyboy1609, Jul 20, 2011
    daveyboy1609, Jul 20, 2011
    #13
  14. HeavyT

    HeavyT Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I only saw season one but what were the other seasons like? when was it they finally ended? think i caught the kickboxing one a couple of times.
     
    HeavyT, Jul 20, 2011
    HeavyT, Jul 20, 2011
    #14
  15. sportofkings

    sportofkings Boxing Junkie banned

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    Once they brought Tony Danza on it as host the show went downhill fast:-(
     
    sportofkings, Jul 20, 2011
    sportofkings, Jul 20, 2011
    #15
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