I'll be honest, I haven't been watching this series for two reasons. First, it's on during other shows I watch and secondly, it's already not renewed for a second season. I did catch part of the final fight, which seemed decent though a bit anti-climactic (i.e., no knock out). I felt horrible for one of the fighter's daughter in the audience, who was crying hysterically as she was forced to watch her father get pummeled. Dear lord, woman, why didn't you have someone take her out of there?!
So many people I know told me this show was good. So what went wrong? Why did it not get renewed?














Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
Pasquale said...
It was exciting to see all fighters show great heart but only one true champion show he wanted more than anybody. Great for boxing and it deserves another season without raising another glove. Great job for Sly and Ray for bring boxing back to TV.
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6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
Roger Tetrault said...
It was one of the best reality series we have seen with much more on the line than any others. the fights were great although it would have been nice to see the complete fights like tonight all the time..
Great heart by many of the fighters, and it was amusing how many favourites lost to those they thought they would easily handle. Liked seeing the fighters personal lives, humanity, and how hard some have worked to get a break. Alfonso, fighting below weight classes constantly inspired. He should get the first fight against Sergio, another class act and his best friend in the competition. It was nice to see the non-sleazy side of boxing, not like the abomination in Miami this week where the Canadian underdog clearly won but was judged a loser on all three judges cards.
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6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
Matt said...
the series wasn't renewed because when it came to watching this or the power lineup that abc put on sunday nights, abc always won. its sad that the networks don't let a show catch anymore..if its not a hit in the first few episodes, its gone..this was one of the best shows this season..here's hoping it gets picked up by espn :)
matt
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6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
Donald Chow said...
The semi final fights were both good but the final was amazing. Serg & Pete deserved the million dolla bout....Serg just wanted it more. Too bad no season too. Perhaps if they dropped Sugar Ray (the man cant read anyways) and bring on more colorful character like Tyson or Foreman, they'd score ratings. Credit to all the Contenters and the show for elevating the game of boxing.
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6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
manfredofan! said...
this was one of the best reality shows ever put on television. i wasn't really a boxing fan until i watched the first episode of the contender. i cannot believe that they are not giving the show another chance. put the show on a different night....on monday...why did they put this show on a sunday? and why does the finale have to compete with american idol? come one, give this show one more season!
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6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
flo said...
This was an amazing show, I have been a big fan of boxing since I was a small girl...every Sunday night I looked foward to the contender, I enjoyed the reality of the show, watching the boxers become friends. Sharing a bond that only they knew, the ultimate show, this was and is a must see....why does it have to end? I screamed and yelled jumped and danced as I watched my favorites win or lose..tonight my heart was with Sergio & Alfonso these are 2 very promising young fighters and I know we will see more of them in the near future. Class acts to both of them...Alfonso reminds me of Rocky, all heart!!!!! I'll follow your career closely and cheer your victories.
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6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
Joel Torres said...
This is he best show i ever watched in my life. I am always looking for good shows to watch and i do find some but no show caught my attention like "The Contender" did. It made my sunday that best day of the week. I always looked forward to sundays. My girlfriends gets mad at me because i'm always talking about it. I'm upset that Peter Manfredo Jr. lost but i think that Sergio definitely deserved it. The season finale was great. I wish it does get a chance to come out with another season... I love this show so much.
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6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
Roger said...
NBC wouldn't know a winner if they had one, too busy shopping at Fox.
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6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
Matt said...
I loved the show, but was disappointed with Sylvester Stallone all the way through. He offered nothing to the show, little personality... It was all topped off with the HORRIBLE playcall commentary between him and Sugar Ray. They talked over each other, and Stallone offered little more than simplistic, oafish comments throughout. I was really disappointed- I'm sure Jim Lampley was watching just shaking his head with a grin. Leave it to the pros, Sly.
Also, not to be hypercritical, but the officiating was terrible. Manfredo Jr cut Sergio above the eye with an initial headbutt, and repeatedly used his forehead to inflict further damage. NOT ONE WARNING from the lethargic referee! I couldn't believe what I was seeing!
Other than these issues, I loved the show. I really did.
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6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
Candice said...
I loved watching the contender. I was never really into boxing but slowly the show got me hooked. it is one of the better reality TV shows thats doing the round these days. I hope The Contender gets one more season.Put the show on a Monday time-slot not sundays.
I agree with Matt, Sly really did nothing much for the show...hell why was he even in there! Bring someday more famous and chilled out and somebody who would be more involved!!
I am glad Sergio won...the man needed the money more than Peter plus I never thought Sergio would come so far. I mean who would've thought a skinny fellow like him could survive Ishe Smith. Unbelievable!!
I hope the show gets another season. Last I heard that Sly was planning on getting Season 2 underway by july.
Congratulations Sergio!...
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6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
Manny said...
This show definitely deserves another season it not only shows the viewers that Boxing is not just a brutal sport that in fact it's a sport that requires intelligence accompanied by a strong heart in and out of the ring and for that reason i feel that the right boxer won the contender championship he's an example of the all around boxer, i watched the whole season and i couldn't stay in my seat because i was pumped with adrenaline just watching it definitely was a good thing for Boxing and i feel it should be giving another chance.
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6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
John Soosaar said...
The final was a fantastic night of television. The entire season was great.The fighters showed heart, something lacking in most TV "reality" shows. These guys have all fought their way out of tough circumstances and they showed that the sport of boxing is still a way out of the ghetto for those with heart and ability.
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6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
amyeileen said...
I never have watched boxing or for that matter any soprts until I accidentally got hooked on the Contender. I cannot believe it did not get a second season. Perhaps it was the marketing of the show that failed but not the show. I am a 30 year old woman probably not the targeted audience. If this show can get someone like me to me be this involved, the problem is not the show.
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6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
Donna Snyder said...
I am a woman who has never watched boxing before in my life. But let me tell you, I LOVED the Contender!!! I saw every minute of every show. People knew not to call me or bother me between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. every Sunday night. I would even sometimes catch the rerun during the week. If I could only see one hour of t.v. a week, the Contender would be it, absolutely! Please give me a season 2!! P.S. Sergio rocks!!
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6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
India Collins said...
The CONTENDER, "The Best Show Ever"
Alfonso, I luv you... I knew that it would
be either you or Sergio that would
become "Thee CONTENDER"...
Although Sergio had won... you are also
GREAT...
I am so happy for Sergio... and his
cause... "his mother Do Not have to work again
in her life... What a Blessing...
Alfonso... keep fighting and continue
to "Vision Your Vision".. Remain discipline
and please... be mindful about the fame,
women, and other social events that can
become "Deviant"... Do Not get caught up...
Continue to take care of your health...
"Protect yourself"... no amount of money is
worth your life... Be Cautious... I Love You
All... I also have said... "May the Best Man
Win"... and Sergio... was indeed the better
man... I love you, Sly and Sugar Ray and "The
Contender staff for making this show possible.
N0# 1 Fan
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6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
Alvaro Mejia, Esq. said...
Last night was a great show. The idea of it being live just added to the excitement. One question - because I missed the beginning of last night's episode. Did Alfonso get a cash prize for finishing with the "bronze?"
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6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
Bstee - Houston said...
I agree Sergio clearly won, and I agree he showed more heart, Peter looked like he had cement in his gloves at the end. The punch count had to be in the 100s every round and that is fine for flywights, but these guys can't do that for a full fight. Those ropes hled up Sergio and I really think helped him put in the flurry in the last 30secs of each round.
I would disagree with the one scorecard of 70-63. No way was it that lop sided. Every singe round to Sergio?? Actually the only reason that disappoints me is at the end of a very classy show he was a true punk. Trash talking a corner, sticking out his tounge, thumping his chest. Sorry guy, but until the final cards were in you had yet top actually win ANYTHING. You may THINK you are the next Roy Jones (you are not) but 15 guys showed pretty good class throughout, and in the last minutes of the last fight of the last show of the last episode you resort to that junk? I'm sorry, giving due "respect" to the corner, man and father or Peter after the fact makes no difference. Saying "that" was the "Latin Snake" and not "him". Give me a break! You win one fight and now we've got you talking in the third person. At that point I hoped enyone would have won rather than him - poor class, no respect. I hope he never has a career.
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6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
Brandy said...
Being a Manfredo Jr. fan, I was really hopeful that he would win. After his performance in the finale, Mora deserved to win, hands down. Manfredo was frustrating to watch. He was outboxed by Mora, no question about that. Congrats to Sergio, and to Alfonzo. You guys deserve it!! I hope to see these two in a pay per view event in the future. To Alvaro, I believe they mentioned that the winner of the Alfonzo/Jesse fight would receive $200,000.
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6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
Lindsey Nichols said...
I LOVED the show! I am a female, and I definitely got into it. I didn't miss a show. Although I was cheering for Ishe before Sergio beat him. Then I wanted Sergio to win. And he did! I wonder if they will ever consider a rematch someday. Please do not cancel the show! I am looking forward to a second season.
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6-16-2005 @ 4:19PM
Claudia said...
Alfonso got $250 k for the winning the 'bronze'.
I'm another female Contender fan. I really hope NBC is keeping up with the fan comments, and give the show another season to prove itself.
Ratings showed that about 6 million tuned in, not a hit by network standards, but not too shabby considering the timeslot. Twice as many people tuned in for the 2nd half hour than for the 1st. That should be an indication that people want to see more fighting. I hope they adjust the format and bring it back.
I looked forward to each Sunday the whole time The Contender ran. It was by far the most addictive reality tv show I have ever watched.
Most impressive boxer: Alfonso Gomez
Best all around boxer: Sergio Mora
I will anxiously look forward to following these guys' careers!
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