Season 3
The Contender is an American reality television series created by Mark Burnett about the lives, fears and hopes of 16 professional boxers as they compete for the chance to change their lives and the lives of the people they love forever.
The series originally premiered in the USA on NBC on 7 March 2005. It was cancelled after the first season by NBC, but acquired by ESPN for another two seasons. It was cancelled by ESPN after Season 3, whereafter it moved to the Versus channel for Season 4.
The Contender premiered in South Africa on DStv's actionX (now M-Net Action) channel on Tuesday 1 August 2006, at 19h00. It premiered on SABC2 on Friday 23 March 2007, at 21h00.
See "Seasons" below for seasonal broadcast dates and times by channel.
Season 3 premiered on M-Net Action on Monday 4 August 2008, at 19h00. There are 10 hour-long episodes in the third season.
Season 3 Repeats
Tuesdays: 10h00
Fridays: 18h00
Sundays: 14h00
Season 3
The Contender is a reality show that sees 16 fighters step through boxing ropes and do battle in 5-round bouts. Some will move on. Most will not. And this time, more than ever, every round counts.
For the third time, the Tournament of contenders has issued the challenge for the world's best boxers to fight for The Contender championship.
This time, the best super-middleweight fighters from four different continents have answered the call and will assemble in Los Angeles. They come from different backgrounds but they all have the same dream - to become the champion.
The Contender 3's 16 fighters range in age from 23 to 33 years old, representing a mix of veteran and amateur super middleweights that includes two former Olympians as well as a handful who have previously fought for world titles.
They'll be competing for The Contender 3 crown as well as the new $750,000 grand prize (the purse had previously been $1 million in Season 1 and $500,000 in Season 2).
The Contender 3 also includes a vastly improved training staff for the fighters, with The Contender's second-season trainers Tommy Gallagher and Jeremy Williams being replaced by James "Buddy" McGirt and Jose "Pepe" Correa.
McGirt is widely considered to one of the best boxing trainers around, while Correa has trained the likes of professional female boxer Laila Ali; former heavyweight champ Lennox Lewis; as well as returning The Contender host, mentor and boxing Hall of Famer Sugar Ray Leonard.
In addition, The Contender 3 will include guest appearances by comedian Adam Corolla as well as Olympic gold-medalist and boxing great Oscar De Lay Hoya - the former host of Fox's short-lived 2005 The Contender knock-off The Next Great Champ.
Six of The Contender 3's 16 fighters will be eliminated at the conclusion of the premiere broadcast.
The Contender is a joint production between Mark Burnett Productions,
DreamWorks Television and Rogue Marble.
Sylvester Stallone, Mark Burnett and Jeffrey Katzenberg are the executive producers. Bruce Beresford-Redman, Lisa Hennessy, Conrad Riggs, Jeff Wald, Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey are co-executive producers.
Contestants
The 16 super middleweights competing on The Contender 3 are:
Max Alexander, a 26-year-old from Camden, NJ who has a 14-1 pro record with 2 KOs
As the self proclaimed most competitive guy of the group, Alexander amassed an impressive 47-3 amateur record and maintains an undefeated record as a professional. Alexander is not only accomplished in the ring, he recently obtained a degree in criminal justice from Montclair State University.
David Banks, a 24-year-old from Portland, OR who has a 14-2-1 pro record with 2 KOs
Born and raised in Portland, Oregon Banks has been fighting professionally for only three years. Banks considers himself an upset specialist and likes coming in as the underdog.
Sakio Bika, a 28-year-old from Sydney, Australia via Cameroon who has a 22-3-2 pro record with 14 KOs
Bika represented his native country of Cameroon at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, while there loved it so much he has since decided to live and train in Sydney. This accomplished fighter has several title bouts on his resume including the Australian Middleweight Title and New South Wales State Middleweight Title.
Henry Buchanan, a 28-year-old from Capital Heights, MD who has a 14-1 pro record with 11 KOs
The supremely confident Henry "Sugar Poo" Buchanan was born and raised in Capital Heights, Maryland. Buchanan has impressed boxing experts with his power, uppercut from the inside and ability to slip punches.
La Farrell Bunting, a 27-year-old from Las Vegas, NV who has a 16-3-1 pro record with 16 KOs
Bunting's only focus once in the ring is winning and doing the best he can. His title bouts include vacant International Boxing Association (IBA), America's Light Heavyweight Title and World Boxing Organization (WBO) NABO Super Middleweight Title.
Jaidon Codrington, a 23-year-old from New York, NY who has a 16-1 pro record with 12 KOs
Former national Golden Gloves Champion, Codrington, possesses the perfect mix of speed, power and flash that has captivated audiences since his 2004 professional debut. With Sugar Ray Leonard as one of his idols, Codrington feels truly fortunate to be a part of the Contender.
Miguel Hernandez, a 32-year-old from Chicago, IL who has a 20-5 pro record with 10 KOs
This popular fighter didn't start boxing until 27. Hernandez has earned the respect of many very quickly both inside and outside the ring. Touted as one of Chicago's favorite fighters, Hernandez is a straight forward fighter with a reputation of putting on a great show.
Wayne Johnson, a 29-year-old from Lyndhurst NJ who has a 16-1 pro record with 9 KOs
Born and raised in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, Johnsen is a standout athlete in several sports. While on a football scholarship for the University of New Heaven, Johnsen blew out his knee and turned to boxing to stay in shape for football. Johnsen was soon recognised in the boxing community as a rising star.
Donny McCrary, a 24-year-old from St. Joseph, MO who has a 23-5-2 pro record with 13 KOs
Born and raised in St. Joseph, Missouri, McCrary dreams of becoming a world boxing champion. With titles such as North American Boxing Association (NABA)and North American Boxing Council (NABC) Midwest Super Middleweight he is on his way to fulfilling his dream.
Les Ralston, a 25-year-old from Buffalo, NY who has a 16-2 pro record with 9 KOs
Ralston is managed and trained by his father, Jimmy Ralston, who was a top 10 rated light heavyweight in the sixties. Ralston is more focused than ever and can hurt opponents with either hand.
Danny Santiago, a 34-year-old from Ocala, FL who has a 29-3-1 pro record with 19 KOs
A native of New York, Santiago is a former New York City Golden Gloves Champion as well as competed for World Boxing Organization (WBO) Light Heavyweight Championship. He is an aggressive fighter who tries to knock his opponent's head off.
Paul Smith, a 24-year-old from Liverpool, England who has a 20-0 record with 12 KOs
Born and raised in Liverpool, England, Smith comes from a boxing family; in fact he and his three brothers are the first brothers that have all won Amateur National Championships. The confident Smith welcomes the chance to show what makes him a true Contender.
Sam Soliman, a 33-year-old from Melbourne, Australia who has a 33-9 pro record with 13 KOs
Soliman began his boxing career after studying several forms of martial arts including Tae Kwon Do, Karate and Kick-Boxing. The super fit Soliman's proudest moment as a fighter was winning the Commonwealth Title in 2001. Soliman also works as a motivational speaker in Australia.
Brian Vera, a 26-year-old from Austin, TX who has a 14-0 pro record with 9 KOs
Brian Vera possesses the heart of a champion. Two-time International Boxing Association (IBA) Champ, Vera, comes from a long lineage of professional fighters. The heavy-handed Austin favourite puts on a great show in the ring.
Rhoshii Wells, a 30-year-old from Las Vegas, NV who has a 18-2-2 pro record with 10 KOs
Inspired by Rocky movies as a kid, Rhoshii Wells, begged his father to take him to the gym and teach him to box. Nicknamed "The Great One" Wells began his professional career in 1997 after winning the bronze medal in the middleweight division at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Rubin Williams, a 31-year-old from Detroit, MI who has a 29-2-1 pro record with 16 KOs
Growing up in Detroit wasn't always easy according to Williams, the self described bully turned accomplished fighter. With title bouts such as International Boxing Federation (IBF) Super Middleweight and NBA Super Middleweight on his resume this confident fighter is ready for any challenge.
Seasons
Season 1 (15 episodes)
Channel: actionX | Premiere: 1 Aug 2006 | Finale: 7 Nov 2006 | Tuesdays, 19h00
Channel: SABC2 | Premiere: 23 Mar 2007 | Finale: 29 Jun 2007 | Fridays, 21h00
Season 2 (14 episodes)
Channel: actionX | Premiere: 28 May 2007 | Finale: 27 Aug 2007 | Mondays, 20h00
Channel: SABC2 | Premiere: 15 Feb 2008 | Finale: 2 May 2008 | Fridays, 21h00
Season 3 (8 episodes)
Channel: M-Net Action | Premiere: 4 Aug 2008 | Finale: 6 Oct 2008 | Mondays, 19h00
Season 4 (12 episodes)
Channel: M-Net Action | Premiere: 17 Dec 2009 | Finale: 4 Mar 2010 | Thursdays, 18h00
Related Articles
The Contender Packs The Punches!