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Former undefeated world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis is stepping into the ring for a new project: Unscripted TV. Lennox and executive producer Eric Van Wagenen are developing a boxing-related tournament. “Our goal is to bring boxing back to its roots by highlighting fighters from around the country in a tournament format.”
The unscripted project is the first to come out of a new strategic partnership announced by Paul Telegdy's The Hall Spiel and Markel Martin's management company 3Point0 Labs. “Lennox Lewis is a giant in the world of boxing,” Telegdy said. “I couldn't be happier to be in business with him and to have him lead my first project.”
Lewis competed on “The Apprentice” in 2008, for which Van Wagenen was a producer. Van Wagenen's boxing TV credits also include “The Contender.”
Randy Fehnrich, executive producer and head of content at 3Point0 Labs, added: “The first boxing match I ever watched on TV while sitting on my living room floor was Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson in 2002. I'm thrilled to be working with the legendary Lennox Lewis on this project. His unparalleled expertise, passion and insight into the sport of boxing is second to none and he will bring an authentic and dynamic energy to this project.”
Through their partnership, The Whole Spiel and 3Point0 aim to package and develop TV shows, films and podcasts, with a strong focus on the sports vertical.
Telegdy runs The Whole Spiel with Stefan Telegdy. The Los Angeles- and Berlin-based company is developing scripted and unscripted TV projects including a re-imagined “Tarzan” series with Red Bull's Terra Mater Studios, wildlife crime investigation “Rogue,” geopolitical drama “A New King” and historical drama “The Executioner.”
Speaking about the partnership with 3Point0, Paul Telegdy described the company as “a highly forward-thinking, innovative group focused at the intersection of sports, entertainment, talent and technology.”
Andrew Cutrow, executive producer and head of entertainment at 3Point0, added: “Paul is a true global citizen. He brings an infectious joy and sociability that transforms the franchise into a true connection with audiences. His goal of creating content that transcends borders and connects audiences around the world is something we hope to achieve with all 3Point0 clients, now and into the future.”
