NEW YORK, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Sylvester Stallone, DreamWorks and "Survivor" producer Mark Burnett are hoping their new U.S. boxing reality series on NBC-TV will be a knockout.
After an intense bidding war, NBC agreed to pay $2 million per episode --about $40 million overall -- the biggest price tag so far for a reality program, according to Variety.
"The Contender" will follow several wannabe boxers from training through a series of fights with the ultimate winner getting an opportunity to becoming a real prize fighter along the lines of Fox's "American Idol," E!Online reported Saturday.
"Sly (Stallone) will be the heart and soul of the show," said Burnett. "He'll mentor these fighters with the whole 'Rocky' spirit. He would never get involved in this if it weren't 100 percent aboveboard."
However, the reality series will have no connection with Stallone's "Rocky" movies because MGM holds the rights.
Nor will the series be connected to the the WBA, WBC and IBO.
"We're looking to reclaim a part of America that's been missing," Burnett told Variety. "Where are the 'Thrilla in Manilas?' The Sugar Ray Leonards? We all agree no one can tell who owns what belt."
