SUGAR RAY LEONARD - STALLONE'S CONTENDER GUARANTEED TO BE EMOTIONAL

Boxing legend SUGAR RAY LEONARD has guaranteed SYLVESTER STALLONE's reality boxing show THE CONTENDER will leave viewers in tears.

The American TV programme, which premiered with disappointing ratings on Monday (07MAR05), follows a group of aspiring fighters as they battle it out to become professional boxers.

And Leonard, who co-hosts The Contender, promises viewers will quickly become emotionally attached to the fighters.

He says, "My wife and her friends saw some episodes, and they started crying. It's really moving.

"We've rented homes (near the Contender complex) so you can see the boxers interact with their families. You see how compassionate they are. You see that all boxers are not brutes."

TV bosses also hope The Contender, which suffered a devastating blow last month (FEB05) when contestant NAJAI TURPIN committed suicide, will help to clear boxing's scandal-plagued reputation.

Leonard adds, "We have the right people in place, people who are trustworthy, who have scruples.

"I hope that promoters and trainers embrace this show. It's going to take network television (with the Contender) to remake this sport and give it some integrity."