J Wray & Nephew Limited has big plans for the fifth season of its Wray & Nephew Contender boxing series, the most watched televised reality series programme in Jamaica, which begins on Wednesday, March 18 on TVJ.

For the first time since the inception of the Wray and Nephew Contender five years ago, the televised boxing programme will have a live broadcast in five Caribbean countries outside of Jamaica. These countries are Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Guyana, Suriname, and the Cayman Islands. This groundbreaking development is in line with the international thrust that the boxing series started last year, with the inclusion of eight Caribbean boxers.

Another major announcement is that media personality Denise Hunt has returned to host the televised live broadcast of the Wray & Nephew Contender, which will air on Wednesdays at 9:30 pm. Hunt previously hosted the first two seasons of the boxing series, but went on sabbatical for two years overseas to further her studies.

Fitness guru Kamila McDonald-Alcock, who had done the hosting duties for the past two seasons, will now teach her in-depth knowledge of physical training and exercises to the boxers for the challenges segment of the television show. Additionally, during the show’s live broadcast, McDonald-Alcock will be getting real-time feedback in the form of comments and emotions from fans in the crowd during the fight.

For a closer, more in-depth television experience for viewers, a new segment called Corner Bites will be aired, where people will be able to view and listen to the fighters and their coaches while they are in the corners in-between rounds.

Gary Dixon, marketing director at J Wray & Nephew Limited, is elated about all that his company has in store in the Wray & Nephew Contender’s fifth season.

“Five years strong, and the Wray and Nephew Contender continues to grow not only as a national phenomenon, but now a regional one that our Caribbean neighbours can’t wait to watch. The Wray & Nephew Contender has become more than just a television staple over the past five years, but a sporting institution that allows our boxers to get international exposure for their hard work and talent.

“To thank the hundreds of thousands of persons that tune in weekly to watch the programme, we will be having a myriad of prizes, which include $10,000 cash up for grabs weekly, and a major grand prize. This grand prize is a trip to the 2016 World Championships in Beijing, China.”

Dixon continued: “Chances to win these prizes can be activated from the Wraytastic Combo Pack Promotion that we will have in supermarket outlets, which will include one 750 ML sized Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum plus a 2L Schweppes Grapefruit. Wraytastic Combo packs will be available in supermarkets islandwide by the end of March.”

In addition to these promotions, this season will have a major social media activation which will see viewers having a chance to watch the programme from home with one of the four past Wray & Nephew Contender victors. This can be won through the Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum’s Facebook account, and will also include a fully stocked home bar and bartender for the viewing party, courtesy of Wray & Nephew.

In continuing the regional competition aspect of the Wray & Nephew Contender established last season, Jamaican boxers of the middleweight class will go up against their counterparts from the United States and the wider Caribbean. These Caribbean nationals come from Guyana, Barbados, the Cayman Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago. Carl Grant is the coach of Team Jamaica (Green Team), and Andrew Boland is the coach of Team Caribbean (Yellow Team) for this season.

The names of the team members from Team Jamaica (Green Team) this year are: Kevin Hylton, Jermaine Bowen, Richard Holmes, past winner Devon Moncriffe, Kemahl Russell, Gregory Miller, Ricardo Planter, and Tsetsi Davis.

Team Caribbean (Yellow Team) members are Kevin Placide, Edmond Declou, Duke Brooks, Jermin King, Charwin Estwick, Courtney Pennington, Derick Richmond, and Winston Pompey.

The prize money for this season’s Wray & Nephew Contender winner is $2,000,000, with the runner-up receiving $500,000. The opening bout will take place on March 18 at the Chinese Benevolent Centre.