VERSUS NETWORK'S "THE CONTENDER" ANNOUNCES FINAL FOUR FIGHTERS AND UNDERCARD BOUTS FOR THE LIVE SEASON FINALE FEBRUARY 25^TH AT FOXWOODS RESORT AND CASINO IN CONNECTICUT 

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

February 19, 2008 – Los Angeles, CA – The fourth season of the critically-acclaimed boxing reality series hosted by award winning actor Tony Danza, The Contender which premiered on December 3 on VERSUS Network, will duke out its final episode and crown the new Contender champion February 25 LIVE at the Foxwoods MGM Grand Arena in Ledyard, CT.  The series is produced by VERSUS, Mark Burnett Productions and DreamWorks Television.    

The Contender, which was shot on location in Singapore, chronicles the lives, challenges, and hopes of 16 cruiserweight boxers from around the world as they compete for the chance to become Contender champion.  The Contender airs every Wednesday night at 10 p.m. ET on VERSUS. 

The finalists have been determined in this season's Contender and include:  

-         Troy Ross - one of the highest ranked boxers in Canada in the Light Heavyweight Division

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            Ehinomen "Hino" Ehikhamenor – moved from Nigeria to NY to pursue his boxing career

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            Rico Hoye - ranked top ten in the World Boxing Organization and has light heavyweight titles from the North American Boxing Organization and International Boxing Association  

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            Akinyemi "AK" Laleye - served in the US Navy in Iraq and Afghanistan during two tours

Troy Ross and Ehinomen "Hino" Ehikhamenor will battle it out for the title of Contender Champion while Rico Hoye and Akinyemi "AK" Laleye will fight it out for the Bronze Medal.

Opening the night, cruiserweights Richard Gingras and Ryan Coyne will face-off for six rounds.  For the second fight Erick Vega and Alfredo Escalera Jr. will battle it out in a six round cruiserweight fight between fan favorites.  And rounding out the night of undercard fights, rivals Felix Cora Jr. and Tim Flamos will square off in a cruiserweight rematch for bragging rights and the chance to settle their differences once and for all. 

Contender Executive Producer Eric Van Wagenen said "Season 4 of the Contender has seen some of the best boxing and drama in the entire Contender series and we are excited about the final 4. We know our finale will be one to remember for the fans in the arena and at home." 

Tickets for the February 25^th Contender Finale at the Foxwoods MGM Grand Arena are on sale now at Foxwoods Resort and Casino Box Office by calling 806-646-0609 or going online to www.mgmatfoxwoods.com  or any Ticketmaster location (www.ticketmaster.com).  Ticket prices range from $45 to $75 and $175 for VIP seats which include entry into the VIP Party.  Last year's Season 3 Contender Finale at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, MA was sold out.  Doors open at 6pm, first fight at 7pm and main event begins at 9pm.