The sort of contest that goes on in the ring (4-4)
I believe the answer is:
ding-dong
This clue might be a double definition.
'the sort of contest that goes on' is the first definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.
'ring' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)
'in the' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ding-dong that I've seen before include "Fight (with hammer and tongs?)" , "Violent exchange - sound of a bell" , "Sound of a clapper bell" , "Fierce argument (colloq.)" , "Sound of bell or slang argument" .)