With fight fixing claims and personalities like Mike Tyson, boxing has gotten a bad name over the years. However, The Contender (a new reality show from NBC) is attempting to put class back into boxing. The program shows that not all boxers are the crazed-Tyson types, but are good natured men who are fighting to provide a better life for their family.

When I was on the University of Michigan’s boxing team I found out firsthand about the boxer stereotype. It was almost comical watching some people’s faces at job fairs as they would read over my resume. They started out being impressed as they looked through my job experience (or at least I like to believe), only to frown and be put off when they got to the section which disclosed being on the boxing team. When I got one of these frowners, I immediately started defending boxing and the fighters on the team. I had many similar experiences when a new acquaintance found out I was on the team.

Due to a few fighters, there are many preconceived notions as to what a boxer is. I have had an opportunity to meet and work with a few professional and golden glove champion boxers. All of them are true gentleman outside the ring and I admire how The Contender is portraying them as such. By displaying how deeply these men love their family, how they have intelligence, and how they are grounded, it is attempting to break many of the stereotypes our society has.