Mark Burnett Productions, DreamWorks Television, and ESPN, Inc. have announced a date, venue and fight card for the first of three boxing specials.
On Saturday, October 15th 2005, live from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California, ESPN will televise a fight card packed with Season One Contender fighters as they once again battle in classic East vs. West fashion.
The Contender champion Sergio "The Latin Snake" Mora will be defending his Contender belt against rival Peter "The Pride of Providence" Manfredo Jr., whom he last defeated in May. This highly anticipated rematch will take place in Mora´s hometown of Los Angeles at STAPLES Center on Saturday, October 15th.
"Living together under one roof as long as we did created a bond that isn´t typically found in a solitary sport such as boxing. Peter and I have a mutual respect for one another, thus allowing this rematch to take place. But this time, he´ll have to come to my hometown, and you can believe the snake will bite again," stated a confident Sergio Mora.
Peter Manfredo provided his comments, "This is make-or-break for me. I refuse to lose twice in a row. I proved that against Alfonso and I´ll prove that against Sergio. It´s time to restore the Pride to Providence. October 15th will be the day I do just that."
The undercard will feature the exciting match-ups of Alfonso "Superman" Gomez vs. Jeff "The Hell Raza" Fraza, Anthony Bonsante vs. Jesse Brinkley, Jonathan Reid vs. Miguel Espino.
"As we embark on the next phase of THE CONTENDER with our new partners at ESPN, we are thrilled to have a terrific home for our Oct 15 event in The Staples Center, which has been the site of some of the best world class boxing in recent years," stated Jeffrey Katzenberg, executive producer of THE CONTENDER.
"As the event that launches the ESPN era for THE CONTENDER, we´re scheduling the ´East vs. West´ special with an eye toward ratings success - in prime time on Saturday night October 15th following a college football game, a powerful lead-in for a powerful new ESPN Original Entertainment series," expressed Will Staeger, Executive producer, ESPN Original Entertainment.
"Rocky-style, THE CONTENDER has improved the televised boxing viewing experience by making millions of fans care about the men who step into the ring. We know their families, their hopes and their dreams! That´s why it works, and will continue to work," explained Mark Burnett.
ESPN will air the event live at 8:00pm (PST) / 11:00pm (EST).
