The Next Great Champ
Encyclopedia
The Next Great Champ was a reality television
series on Fox that aired in early 2005
. It followed a group of boxers
as they compete with one another in an elimination-style competition, while their lives and relationships with each other and their families are depicted. The show was the result of the synergy between boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya
and reality television powerhouse Endemol
USA.
The show was rushed into production to compete with Mark Burnett's The Contender
reality boxing series, and Champ deputed prior to The Contender. The show sought to discover young, raw boxers and train them for a possible title fight opportunity, with the winner also getting a professional contract with de la Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions
and a large cash prize.
The show quickly fizzled in the ratings, and after four episodes The Next Great Champ was cancelled by Fox. The final six episodes aired on Fox Sports Net
.
The only season of the show was won by Otis Griffin
. After the victory, Griffin was set to battle Alfonso Sanchez live on Fox Sports for the WBO
"8-round" light heavyweight championship (a title that was created by the organization solely for the winner of this show, as most title fights are 10 or 12 rounds in length), but the bout never materialized. Griffin did win this title against James Sundin in a non-televised fight.
(Numbers refer to the episode in which the fight took place.)
(Numbers refer to the episode in which the fight took place.)
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
series on Fox that aired in early 2005
2005 in television
The year 2005 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 2005.For the American TV schedule, see: 2005–06 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-Miniseries:...
. It followed a group of boxers
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
as they compete with one another in an elimination-style competition, while their lives and relationships with each other and their families are depicted. The show was the result of the synergy between boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya
Oscar de la Hoya
Oscar De La Hoya is a retired American boxer of Mexican descent. Nicknamed "The Golden Boy", De La Hoya won a gold medal at the Barcelona Olympic Games shortly after graduating from Garfield High School. De La Hoya comes from a boxing family. His grandfather Vicente, father Joel Sr., and brother...
and reality television powerhouse Endemol
Endemol
Endemol is an international television production and distribution company based in the Netherlands, with subsidiaries and joint ventures in 23 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Poland,...
USA.
The show was rushed into production to compete with Mark Burnett's The Contender
The Contender (TV series)
The Contender is a reality television series that follows a group of boxers as they compete with one another in an elimination-style competition, while their lives and relationships with each other and their families are depicted. Produced by Mark Burnett, the show is hosted by Sugar Ray Leonard,...
reality boxing series, and Champ deputed prior to The Contender. The show sought to discover young, raw boxers and train them for a possible title fight opportunity, with the winner also getting a professional contract with de la Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions
Golden Boy Promotions
Golden Boy Promotions, Inc. is a combat sport promotional firm started by former boxer six-division world champion Oscar De La Hoya...
and a large cash prize.
The show quickly fizzled in the ratings, and after four episodes The Next Great Champ was cancelled by Fox. The final six episodes aired on Fox Sports Net
Fox Sports Net
The Fox Sports Regional Networks, or simply Fox Sports Net , are a collection of cable TV regional sports networks in the United States owned and operated by News Corporation.- Beginnings :...
.
The only season of the show was won by Otis Griffin
Otis Griffin
Otis Griffin is a professional boxer and ranked light heavyweight contender.-Pro Career:Griffin fought on several major undercards and has been featured on ESPN. He captured the NABO light heavyweight championship with a technical knockout over an unbeaten prospect, Mike Nevitt...
. After the victory, Griffin was set to battle Alfonso Sanchez live on Fox Sports for the WBO
World Boxing Organization
The World Boxing Organization is a sanctioning organization currently recognizing professional boxing world champions. The organization is recognized as one of the four major world championship groups by the IBHOF alongside the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Council and the...
"8-round" light heavyweight championship (a title that was created by the organization solely for the winner of this show, as most title fights are 10 or 12 rounds in length), but the bout never materialized. Griffin did win this title against James Sundin in a non-televised fight.
Contestants
|
Guest stars
|
Preliminary round
- 1. *David ParejaDavid ParejaDavid Manuel Pareja is a professional boxer.He was a contestant on reality TV show The Next Great Champ on Fox and was eliminated from the show after being decisioned by Otis Griffin.-External links:...
beat *Arsenio ReyesArsenio ReyesArsenio Reyes is a professional boxer.Known as "R.C. Rey", he was a contestant on reality TV show The Next Great Champ on Fox and was eliminated from the show after being decisioned by David Pareja.-External links:...
by unanimous decision. - 2. *Fred BachmannFred BachmannFred Bachmann was an American professional boxer.Known as "Boom Boom", he was a contestant on the reality TV show The Next Great Champ on Fox and left the show after a dispute with another contestant...
beat *Lawrence AlonzoLawrence AlonzoLawrence Alonzo was a professional boxer.Known as "Lights Out", he was a contestant on reality TV show The Next Great Champ on Fox and was eliminated from the show after being decisioned by Fred Bachmann.-External links:...
by unanimous decision. - 3. *Rene Armijo JrRene Armijo JrRene Armijo Jr is a professional boxer. Known as "Lone Star" or "The Manimal", and "Texican" he was a contestant on reality TV show The Next Great Champ on Fox and was eliminated from the show after being decisioned by Jimmy Mince. Armijo now owns his own gym "Fighter Physique" in El Paso, TX...
beat *Paul SciannaPaul SciannaPaul Scianna is a professional boxer.Known as "The Perfect Storm", he was a contestant on reality TV show The Next Great Champ on Fox and was eliminated from the show after being TKO'd by Rene Armijo Jr.-External links:...
by 3rd round TKO. - 4. *James Mince beat *Otis GriffinOtis GriffinOtis Griffin is a professional boxer and ranked light heavyweight contender.-Pro Career:Griffin fought on several major undercards and has been featured on ESPN. He captured the NABO light heavyweight championship with a technical knockout over an unbeaten prospect, Mike Nevitt...
by split decision. - 5. *Gilbert ZaragozaGilbert ZaragozaGilbert Zaragoza is a professional boxer.He was a contestant on the reality TV show The Next Great Champ on Fox and was eliminated from the show after being beaten by David Pareja.-External links:...
beat *Luis CorpsLuis CorpsLuis Corps is a professional boxer.Known as "The Body Snatcher", he was a contestant on reality TV show The Next Great Champ on Fox and was eliminated from the show after being KO'd by Gilbert Zaragoza.-External links:...
by 3rd round TKO. - Bachmann quits the show, and Griffin is brought back as a replacement.
- 6. *Otis GriffinOtis GriffinOtis Griffin is a professional boxer and ranked light heavyweight contender.-Pro Career:Griffin fought on several major undercards and has been featured on ESPN. He captured the NABO light heavyweight championship with a technical knockout over an unbeaten prospect, Mike Nevitt...
beat *Mike VallejoMike VallejoMike Vallejo was a professional boxer.Mike Vallejo compiled an amateur record of 22-3. He fought for Miami Dade County's Tropical Park Boxing Team and the Broward Sherriff's office...
by unanimous decision. - 6. *Otis GriffinOtis GriffinOtis Griffin is a professional boxer and ranked light heavyweight contender.-Pro Career:Griffin fought on several major undercards and has been featured on ESPN. He captured the NABO light heavyweight championship with a technical knockout over an unbeaten prospect, Mike Nevitt...
draws with *Mohamad ElmahmoudMohamad ElmahmoudMohamed Elmahmoud is a professional boxer.Known as "The Monarch", he was a contestant on the reality TV show The Next Great Champ on Fox. Elmahmoud was eliminated from the show after being fighting a draw with Otis Griffin.-External links:...
.
(Numbers refer to the episode in which the fight took place.)
Semi finals
- 7. *James Mince beat *Rene Armijo JrRene Armijo JrRene Armijo Jr is a professional boxer. Known as "Lone Star" or "The Manimal", and "Texican" he was a contestant on reality TV show The Next Great Champ on Fox and was eliminated from the show after being decisioned by Jimmy Mince. Armijo now owns his own gym "Fighter Physique" in El Paso, TX...
by unanimous decision. - 8. *David ParejaDavid ParejaDavid Manuel Pareja is a professional boxer.He was a contestant on reality TV show The Next Great Champ on Fox and was eliminated from the show after being decisioned by Otis Griffin.-External links:...
beat *Gilbert ZaragozaGilbert ZaragozaGilbert Zaragoza is a professional boxer.He was a contestant on the reality TV show The Next Great Champ on Fox and was eliminated from the show after being beaten by David Pareja.-External links:...
by unanimous decision. - 8. *Otis GriffinOtis GriffinOtis Griffin is a professional boxer and ranked light heavyweight contender.-Pro Career:Griffin fought on several major undercards and has been featured on ESPN. He captured the NABO light heavyweight championship with a technical knockout over an unbeaten prospect, Mike Nevitt...
beat *James Mince by unanimous decision.
Finals
- 9. *Otis GriffinOtis GriffinOtis Griffin is a professional boxer and ranked light heavyweight contender.-Pro Career:Griffin fought on several major undercards and has been featured on ESPN. He captured the NABO light heavyweight championship with a technical knockout over an unbeaten prospect, Mike Nevitt...
beat *David ParejaDavid ParejaDavid Manuel Pareja is a professional boxer.He was a contestant on reality TV show The Next Great Champ on Fox and was eliminated from the show after being decisioned by Otis Griffin.-External links:...
by unanimous decision.
(Numbers refer to the episode in which the fight took place.)
- Otis GriffinOtis GriffinOtis Griffin is a professional boxer and ranked light heavyweight contender.-Pro Career:Griffin fought on several major undercards and has been featured on ESPN. He captured the NABO light heavyweight championship with a technical knockout over an unbeaten prospect, Mike Nevitt...
is crowned the Next Great Champ!