Retired former super middleweight and light heavyweight world titleholder Andre Ward and noted trainers Freddie Roach and Naazim Richardson have joined the cast of the reboot of “The Contender” reality series.
Premium cable network Epix, which will air 12 hour-long episodes of the Mark Burnett-produced series beginning in late August or September, announced their additions to the cast of the boxing competition show on Tuesday.
“It is so important for ‘The Contender’ to have the best and most trusted boxing experts, which is why we reached out to Andre, Freddy and Naazim,” Burnett said. “They are the very best and can help create an experience almost never seen before. (Executive producer) Eric (Van Wagenen) and I are really excited to exceed the fans’ expectations. We love ‘The Contender’ and we love boxing.”
A few months after Ward knocked out Sergey Kovalev in the eighth round of their rematch to retain his three light heavyweight belts in June 2016, he retired. But Ward has stayed involved in boxing as an analyst for HBO as well as being one of the managers for featherweight prospect Shakur Stevenson, the 2016 U.S. Olympic silver medalist.
Now Ward will add another role to his resume: host of “The Contender,” which will begin filming later this month in Los Angeles.
“I have faced the unique challenges of professional boxing firsthand and know the focus required to succeed at the highest level,” said Ward, who was undefeated as a pro and was a 2004 Olympic gold medalist. “Hosting a show that has enabled so many talented fighters reach their dreams is an honor and I look forward to giving the fans unique insight into the life of a fighter and leading the audience through the thrills of this competition.”
As ESPN reported in February, Roach and Richardson will serve as trainers on the show with each overseeing a team of eight middleweight boxers as they prepare for elimination fights that will serve as the climax for each episode.
Roach, an International Boxing Hall of Famer whose Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California, will put him in close proximity to the filming locations, has trained numerous top fighters, including Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, James Toney and Virgil Hill. Philadelphia’s Richardson, with decades of experience, is best known for training Bernard Hopkins.
“The Contender” initially ran from 2005 to 2008 with the first season on NBC, followed by two on ESPN and a fourth on the now-defunct Versus.
