'Contender' down, not out

The reality TV series "The Contender" is down for the count for a second time, but one of its executive producers says the fight isn't over.

ESPN.com reported late Thursday that its sister cable network is dropping the boxing show from its lineup after two seasons because it failed to reach renewal terms with promoter Tournament of Contenders. "The Contender" debuted in 2005 on NBC but lasted just one season on that network. The NBC version featured Hall of Fame boxing champion "Sugar" Ray Leonard and actor Sylvester Stallone as hosts; only Leonard remained on ESPN.

Tournament of Contenders promoter and series executive producer Jeff Wald said he is hopeful a deal with another network can be completed in the coming days.

"The Contender" is co-produced by "Survivor" creator Mark Burnett and features mostly unheralded professional fighters living and training in a Los Angeles facility while competing in an elimination tournament. Series alumni including Alfonso Gomez, Sergio Mora, Steve Forbes and Peter Manfredo Jr. have gone on to fight in nationally televised title bouts.

Gomez takes on WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto this Saturday on HBO, while Forbes has a May 3 date with Oscar De La Hoya.