Epix to Revive Boxing Competition Series ‘The Contender’

Epix is reviving the boxing competition series “The Contender,” making it the fourth network to air the series after being off the air for nine years. The order, from Mark Burnett, comes nine months after Epix was purchased by ‘Contender’ format owner MGM.

“’The Contender’ has launched the careers of many fighters, with some contenders taking world titles – but this new iteration of the series will also showcase the heart, spirit and dramatic personal stories of these fighters as they fight in and out of the ring to realize their dreams,” said Epix president Michael Wright. “This is not only real boxing, but real, raw human storytelling from the best unscripted television production team in the world.”

Debuting on NBC in 2005, “The Contender” is a reality television series that follows a group of boxers as they compete with one another in an elimination-style competition, while their lives and relationships with each other and their families are depicted. When NBC opted against a second season, ESPN stepped in for two additional seasons, followed by a pick-up by Velocity for one additional season in 2008-09.

Epix’s new version of “The Contender,” set to launch in fall 2018, will feature 16 fighters in an elimination competition that will be familiar to fans of the original.