Singapore – The Contender Asia, unveiled here July 11, is just the start of a focus on Asia for formats from Mark Burnett Productions. “I fully expect Contender Asia to be the first of many Asian projects that we undertake with confidence. We are very, very Asia focused,” Burnett said, speaking via video. The Apprentice is expected to be the next Mark Burnett format to come to Asia, according to Riaz Mehta, Executive Producer of The Contender Asia and Chief Executive Officer of Imagine OmniMedia. The company will produce the 15-episode reality series in Singapore, thanks to backing from Media Development Authority (MDA) and DBS Bank. Based on the US version, dubbed The Boxing Contender for its third season, now in pre-production, the new series for Asia sees the 16 top contestants competing in the art of Muay Thai. The international line-up of contestants will arrive in Singapore in August to begin shooting. There will be a weekly elimination until the best Contender emerges at the final fight. Show will air on the AXN network for the Asian markets in October.