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The Contender 2 Delivers Knockout Punch

posted by mightygloves.com on October 6, 2006, in The Contender

ESPN’s critically acclaimed boxing series The Contender, hosted by boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard and produced by Mark Burnett Productions and DreamWorks Television in association with Rogue Marble Entertainment, delivered its highest numbers for its second season to date and the highest rated ESPN boxing telecast in nine years, with its finale from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California last Tuesday night, September 26. The telecast drew a 1.9 rating and over 2.3 million viewers for the two hour finale. The ratings for Tuesday night’s season finale solidified the already strong season-to-date ratings, proving the switch to ESPN for season two was a successful one. In addition, STAPLES Center saw record numbers in tickets sales for a boxing event this year with over 12,000 in attendance.

“The Contender 2 was an incredible success for us with solid ratings throughout the entire season on ESPN,” said series executive producer and promoter Mark Burnett. “To cap off the season with the amazing crowd response we received, both with the overwhelming audience in attendance at STAPLES Center and the largest rating all season on ESPN, we couldn’t be more thrilled.”

In the championship fight, Grady “Bad Boy” Brewer (19-11) from Lawton, Oklahoma defeated Steve “Two Pounds” Forbes (32-4) of Las Vegas in a ten round split decision (2-1) to claim the title of Contender Champion, while Cornelius “K9” Bundrage (24-2) scored a technical knockout over Norberto (Nito) “El Gallito” Bravo (24-13-3) in the seventh round of the bronze medal match. In the undercard bouts, “Furious” Freddy Curiel (16-6-2) upset Aaron Torres (14-4); Walter “2 Guns” Wright (12-2) defeated Vinroy “Slick” Barrett (21-6); and Nick Acevedo (17-2) overcame Nurhan Suleymanoglu (16-5) in an afternoon and evening that provided over four hours of intense boxing action for the record crowd at STAPLES Center.

"Without a doubt, the excitement and enthusiasm generated by the fans who attended The Contender finale led to an overall atmosphere within STAPLES Center that few events in our seven year history have been able to equal," said Lee Zeidman, General Manager, STAPLES Center. "More fans attended The Contender final than nearly any other non-world championship bout our arena has hosted. We would like to thank Mark Burnett Productions and Dreamworks along with the entire ESPN team, all of whom have created an event that is unrivaled and one that we look forward to hosting again next season."

Also, in addition to the 2.3 million viewers for the season finale on the ESPN network, ESPN.com and ESPN360 recorded over 10,000 hits for the bronze medal bout and title fight while the undercard bouts registered over 2,500 hits.

TOC continues its bouts with the next event on October 14 in Providence, Rhode Island. The event will headline season one fighter Peter “The Pride of Providence” Manfredo Jr. (23-3) against undefeated Joe “KO Kid” Spina (19-0-1), the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Inter-Continental Super Middleweight and World Boxing Commission (WBC) United States Super Middleweight Champion known as a knockout artist for knocking out 70 percent of his opponents (14 of 20). The co-main bout will feature Jerson Ravelo (17-1) versus Allan Green (22-0). Brewer, Forbes, Bundrage, Bravo, Wright, Curiel and Acevedo will also be in attendance. The fights will air on ESPN2 beginning at 10:30 pm. (EST).

Fans will be able to meet the fighters at a meet and greet hosted by TOC in conjunction with the state of Rhode Island, The Boys & Girls Club and the Dunkin’ Donuts Center on October 14 at the Rhode Island State House in Providence (82 Smith St.). The meet and greet will take place from 11:30am to 1pm. Admission is free. In addition, each child in attendance will receive two tickets to the fight.

Tickets to the Providence event are on sale now. Tickets priced at $57, $152 and $302 (ringside) can be purchased at www.Ticketmaster.com, all local Ticketmaster outlets or by calling Ticketmaster direct at (401) 331-2211 or (617) 931-2000. Tickets are also available through CES Boxing at (401) 724-2253, www.cesboxing.com and the Dunkin’ Donuts Center Box Office.

For more information visit www.tournamentofcontenders.com, www.cesboxing.com, www.cesboxing.com or www.dunkindonutscenter.com.

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