“The Contender” reboot releases premiere date, roster

For the first time since 2009, “The Contender” returns to your TV screens later this summer, premiering on August 24th on EPIX. Freddie Roach and Naazim Richardson will oversee 16 middleweights as they work their way through a 12-episode single-elimination tournament.

Your “Contenders” are:

Ievgen Khytrov (16-1, 13 KO)
Eric Walker (15-1, 8 KO)
John Thompson (18-3, 6 KO)
Malcolm McAllister (9-1, 8 KO)
Brandon Adams (17-2, 12 KO)
Quatavious Cash (10-0, 7 KO)
Shane Mosley Jr. (10-2, 7 KO)
Daniel Valdivia (14-2, 12 KO)
Michael Moore (15-1, 7 KO)
Gerald Sherrell (8-0, 4 KO)
Morgan Fitch (18-1-1, 8 KO)
Marcos Hernandez (11-1-1, 3 KO)
Tyrone Brunson (26-6-2, 24 KO)
Lamar Russ (17-2, 8 KO)
John Jackson (21-3, 16 KO)
Devaun Lee (10-3-1, 5 KO)

As you can see, there’s a healthy mix of 154-pounders in the mix, which isn’t surprising considering they’re going to have to make weight up to four times in 12 weeks. For my money, the favorites are Khytrov, a limited but heavy-handed former prospect, and Jackson, who was giving both Andy Lee and Jermell Charlo the business before the infamous Jackson chin betrayed him.

Any dark horses we should keep an eye on?