Who do the producers of The Apprentice, Survivor and Rock Star INXS turn to to commentate what promises to be the most watched reality television show in history? Melbourne's own MICHAEL SCHIAVELLO and MARK CASTAGNINI who will call the shots on the finale of THE CONTENDER ASIA in Singapore on April 12, expected to be watched by close to one billion people worldwide.

The world's most experienced fight commentary duo -- it's estimated they have commentated more than 3000 fights between them over the last 12 years -- is excited to call the event, which will be screened on Fox 8 in Australia later this year.

Currently being broadcast to over 200 million people throughout 22 Asian countries on the AXN Network, the global audience for the finale – to be aired across Asia, the USA, Canada, the UK, the Middle East and Australia – is estimated to be close to one billion.

The Contender Asia is a spin-off of America's number one reality sports show – The Contender (starring Sylvester Stallone and Sugar Ray Leonard) – as produced by Mark Burnett Productions, the Hollywood team behind such reality hits as The Apprentice, Rock Star INXS and Survivor, and co-producers with Steven Spielberg's Dreamworks Television's On The Lot.

The Contender Asia followed the progress of 16 of the world's best Muay Thai Kickboxers through a series of elimination fights with the last two set to meet in the final on April 12 for the right to be called THE CONTENDER CHAMPION and pocket US$250,000.

Schiavello and Castagnini – affectionately known to fight fans as "The Voice" and "The Hammer" -- bring an unparalleled resume of commentary for this mega television event.

Schiavello is the global voice of K-1/FEG – the world's largest fight circuit – for which he commentates shows in Las Vegas, Amsterdam, Tokyo, Seoul, Honolulu, Budapest, Hong Kong and beyond. He has been seen and heard on such networks as: ESPN, EuroSports, The Fight Network, HDNet, SKY, Main Event, Fox Sports, Fox 8, InDemand USA and Viewers Choice. His commentary has also been heard on THE JAY LENO SHOW. Schiavello is signed to commentate the Olympic Games boxing in Beijing for New Zealand commercial network TVNZ. He has also commentated the biggest MMA events on the planet including DREAM and DYNAMITE! Described in the Townsville Bulletin as a "commentator of such wit and descriptive genius he makes Oscar Wilde seem like a monosyllabic moron", Schiavello is renowned as the leading play-by-play ring sports commentator in the world.

Castagnini is a former World Kickboxing Association Australian Cruiserweight Muay Thai Champion, Australian All Styles Black Belt Martial Arts Champion, and Chief Instructor at Blitz Thai Kickboxing in Melbourne. He has fought in Australia and Thailand, trained fighters to fight in Thailand and the Philippines, and has travelled to Macau, Thailand and Kazakhstan to commentate WMC Muay Thai championships. He has been seen and heard on such networks as: Fox Sports, SKY, Main Event, Astro Malaysia, Channel 7 Thailand and True TV Thailand. In 2006 Castagnini was presented with a plaque by WMC President General Chetta Thanajaro for services in the promotion of Muay Thai in the Oceania region. For the last 18 years he has served as General Manager of Blitz Martial Arts Magazine and International Kickboxer Magazine. He is renowned as the "Larry Merchant of Muay Thai" as a leading special comments (colour) commentator.

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