Mitchell Kane
07-10-2008, 07:24 PM
It will begin in December, with 11 one-hour episodes and a two-hour season finale, with American and international teams, and take place in Singapore.
Versus will also air three other live boxing events involving TOC.
Some news items on it from Dan Rafael:
However, the new season will feature a 16-man tournament of cruiserweights (200 pounds), in which American fighters will face a team of international boxers.
Trainer Buddy McGirt will return to the series to coach the American fighters. The international trainer has not been determined, although series producers are interested in including Wales' Enzo Calzaghe, the father and trainer of light heavyweight champion Joe Calzaghe.
Boxing icon Sugar Ray Leonard, host of the series for the first three seasons, also is expected to return.
Although the field of fighters has not been signed, show executives are talking to promoters of several notable cruiserweights, with former undisputed champion O'Neil Bell the most prominent name among them.
Others in the mix include Vadim Tokarev, B.J. Flores, Darnell "Ding-A-Ling Man" Wilson, Matt Godfrey, Johnathon Banks, Aaron Williams, Shawn Hawk, Emmanuel Nwodo, Ola Afolabi, Ehinomen Ehikhamenor and Mike Alexander.
However, unlike in previous seasons, which were filmed in Los Angeles, the fourth season will take place in Singapore.
The grand prize has not yet been determined, but previous season champions collected $1 million (first season), $500,000 (second season) and $750,000 (third season).
In addition to picking up the boxing series, Versus will also air a similar program, "The Contender Muy Thai." It will run for 15 weeks beginning July 31 (10 p.m. ET) and feature a 16-man tournament competing in the Thai version of kickboxing.
In addition to the two reality shows, Tournament of Contenders will have at least three live boxing events on Versus under the deal.
Versus will also air three other live boxing events involving TOC.
Some news items on it from Dan Rafael:
However, the new season will feature a 16-man tournament of cruiserweights (200 pounds), in which American fighters will face a team of international boxers.
Trainer Buddy McGirt will return to the series to coach the American fighters. The international trainer has not been determined, although series producers are interested in including Wales' Enzo Calzaghe, the father and trainer of light heavyweight champion Joe Calzaghe.
Boxing icon Sugar Ray Leonard, host of the series for the first three seasons, also is expected to return.
Although the field of fighters has not been signed, show executives are talking to promoters of several notable cruiserweights, with former undisputed champion O'Neil Bell the most prominent name among them.
Others in the mix include Vadim Tokarev, B.J. Flores, Darnell "Ding-A-Ling Man" Wilson, Matt Godfrey, Johnathon Banks, Aaron Williams, Shawn Hawk, Emmanuel Nwodo, Ola Afolabi, Ehinomen Ehikhamenor and Mike Alexander.
However, unlike in previous seasons, which were filmed in Los Angeles, the fourth season will take place in Singapore.
The grand prize has not yet been determined, but previous season champions collected $1 million (first season), $500,000 (second season) and $750,000 (third season).
In addition to picking up the boxing series, Versus will also air a similar program, "The Contender Muy Thai." It will run for 15 weeks beginning July 31 (10 p.m. ET) and feature a 16-man tournament competing in the Thai version of kickboxing.
In addition to the two reality shows, Tournament of Contenders will have at least three live boxing events on Versus under the deal.