NEW YORK, Oct. 28, 2013 – HBO Sports’ groundbreaking “24/7” reality franchise, which has captured 17 Sports Emmy® Awards, returns in November for its 18th boxing installment with 24/7 PACQUIAO/RIOS, it was announced by Rick Bernstein, executive producer, HBO Sports. Debuting SATURDAY, NOV. 9 (12:15-12:45 a.m. ET/PT), the all-access series follows two elite fighters as they prepare for their intriguing welterweight showdown Nov. 23 from the Venetian Macao’s CotaiArena in Macau, China.
“The intensity and significance of the fight will be a great launching point for this all-new edition of ‘24/7’,” noted Bernstein. “We are eager to follow both teams, since there is so much new ground to cover, especially as both sides prepare for a fight taking place at an exciting international destination.”
Episodes two and three of 24/7 PACQUIAO/RIOS debut Saturday, Nov. 16 (9:30-10:00 p.m.) and Thursday, Nov. 21 (10:00-10:30 p.m.), with the finale premiering two nights before the high-stakes welterweight bout. All episodes will have multiple replay dates on HBO, and the series will also be available on HBO On Demand® and HBO GO®.
24/7 PACQUIAO/RIOS will provide exclusive behind-the-scenes access, along with in-depth interviews, as the fighters prepare for their highly anticipated meeting.
Born amid poverty in the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 KOs), 34, has conquered every barrier to become a worldwide star, capturing world titles in eight different weight divisions. He is the lone congressional representative from the Sarangani province of his homeland, winning reelection to a second term earlier this year. Now, Pacquiao is determined to overcome the setbacks he experienced in 2012, while rising star Brandon Rios (31-1-1, 22 KOs), 27, is battle-tested and fearless.
Making his eighth “24/7” appearance, Pacquiao is expected to surround himself with a trusted contingent of family and friends as he works primarily in the Philippines with longtime trainer Freddie Roach. In his “24/7” debut, Rios will be trained by longtime trainer Robert Garcia in the burgeoning boxing market of Oxnard, Cal.
24/7 PACQUIAO/RIOS is the latest installment of the acclaimed franchise that began in 2007 and is the most-honored sports series on TV over the last six years, earning 17 Sports Emmys®. Last year’s “24/7 Pacquiao/Marquez 4” was recently recognized with the Sports Emmy® Award in the category of Outstanding Editing. The “24/7” franchise has now captured the Emmy® in the Outstanding Editing category five years in a row.
ESPN The Magazine called the series “a masterfully entertaining reality show.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14nTFF2pglI
“Pacquiao vs. Rios” takes place at the Venetian Macao in Macau, China on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 9:00 p.m. (ET)/6:00 p.m. (PT), and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®.
The executive producer of 24/7 PACQUIAO/RIOS is Rick Bernstein; senior producer, Dave Harmon; coordinating producer, Bentley Weiner; producers, Harley Glantz, George Jakovic and Abtin Motia; writer, Aaron Cohen. Liev Schreiber narrates.
