Mumbai, Sep 18 - World No. 2 and India's Olympic bronze medal winner boxer Vijender Singh will host the international show, 'The Contender' - a first-ever action sports reality show in the country, it was announced here Friday.

'The Contender' will be co-produced by Bulldog Media and Entertainment and Percept Picture Company and will be telecast weekly on a television channel soon.

Addressing a crowded media conference here Friday afternoon, Vijender said that though boxing is popular worldwide, the scene is different in India.

'Cricket has been the lifeline of Indian sports, but it's high time we realise the enormous talent available in India even in other sports,' he pointed out.