The Contender: What's in a name?

The 16 original fighters casted for the NBC reality show, 'The Contender'

Boxing has traditionally used the term 'contender' to refer to an up-and-coming fighter that shows a lot of promise, but needs a big bout to distinguish themselves. The American version of The Contender characterized this definition by pitting 16 relatively unknown boxers against one another in the ring and showcased the fighter's athleticism in team contests. The final episode of the show would conclude in dramatic fashion, when the top two contenders faced-off in The Contender grand finale match for the right to be lifted from the obscure shadows of the nameless to the light of recognition and notoriety. Thus the title of the show truly reflected its content and purpose.

The success and world-wide interest that The Contender generated has recently spawned 'The Contender' Asia which debuted last year. The Contender, Asia basically operates on the same premise as its American predecessor, with the exception of Mauy Thai being substituted for boxing. However, no brownie points were lost by the change in fighting style. The Mauy Thai matches proved to be as satisfactorily entertaining as boxing. Yet I was disappointed by the fact that The Contender, Asia casted several fighters with way too much experience and heavy-duty credentials to be considered contenders, which diminished the original theme of the show to discover the best unknown fighter. If a fighter is already in the lime light, then he has successfully contended. Calling the show 'The Best of The Best' would have been more appropriate. It will be interesting to see if The Contender, Asia producers use less accomplished fighters in the upcoming season. I want to see the Mauy Thai fighters that are earnestly struggling and overlooked by circumstance, as the show's title suggests.