It has been billed as the programme that would knock out the opposition and ensure that RTE wins the battle of the summer ratings, but the national broadcaster's boxing extravaganza is missing just one thing – boxing.

The Sunday Tribune has learned that Lords of the Ring, which will feature 'celebrities' trading blows inside the ropes, will devote only 10% of each show to actual boxing.

Most of the hyped programme will feature lesser-known personalities such as Joe O'Shea and Seán Gallagher battling against the toughest opponent of all, their own bulging bellies.

According to a programme source, the entire series will consist of fights of just three 90-second rounds in the ring.

"The actual amount of boxing on Lords Of The Ring is quite low," said a spokesman for programme makers Screentime ShinAwil. "Because the rounds are so short, there has to be an awful lot more going on in the show. In fact most of the series is about the journey the novice boxers make to get fit. For some of them it's been an epic struggle."

However producers have denied Lords Of The Ring is essentially RTE's Operation Transformation parading in boxing trunks.

"There's a huge fear for some of the contestants about getting in the ring and fighting another human being. Along with that is a whole range of physical emotions which are brought out as the fighters prepare for each bout."

To shift the final few pounds, contestants on a strict diet of protein shakes, porridge and grilled chicken will check into Saggart's City West Hotel on 3 August for a week of training.

Insiders say the focus on contestants losing weight rather than fighting will make the series more acceptable to family audiences.

Meanwhile, questions have also been asked about whether some of the personalities, most notably former Manchester United player Lee Sharpe, are being paid to take part, even though the series is in aid of charity. This was denied by the spokesman.

"Although we never discuss what contributors get or don't get, it is not accurate to say that participants are taking part for a fee. We do cover expenses, but like with Charity You're A Star, you wouldn't get rich doing programmes like this, or even the main series. For instance when Michelle Heaton appeared as a judge on You're A Star, she was paid in the region of €15,000. Around the same time ITV approached her to take part in Dancing On Ice for which she was being offered £100,000 sterling."

The BBC is taking a keen interest in the success of RTE's Lords Of The Ring and Screentime ShinAwil is in discussions with the corporation about doing a British version of a US programme, The Contender, which involves a national search for a new boxing superstar.

RTE's Lords Of The Ring will be presented by Lucy Kennedy and Brian Ormond with ringside advice from former Irish world champion Barry McGuigan.