NEW YORK, Sept. 6, 2011 – HBO Sports’ groundbreaking “24/7” reality franchise, which has captured 14 Sports Emmy® Awards, returns in October for its 11th boxing installment with 24/7 PACQUIAO/MARQUEZ, an all-new four-episode, all-access series, it was announced today by Rick Bernstein, executive producer, HBO Sports. Debuting SATURDAY, OCT. 22 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT), the series will follow two elite fighters as they prepare for the third chapter of their spirited rivalry in an electric pay-per-view showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Nov. 12.
“Both Manny and Juan Manuel have been terrific characters on the ‘24/7’ series and we look forward to expanding on what our viewers have seen from both men and their camps,” noted Bernstein. “With such an intense rivalry we have an ideal backdrop for this new edition of ‘24/7.’ ”
Episodes two and three of 24/7 PACQUIAO/MARQUEZ debut on subsequent Saturdays – Oct. 29 (10:00-10:30 p.m.) and Nov. 5 (9:45-10:15 p.m.) – while the finale debuts Friday, Nov. 11 (8:30-9:00 p.m.), the night before the high-stakes welterweight title bout. All four 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/MARQUEZ will provide exclusive behind-the-scenes access, along with in-depth interviews, as the fighters prepare for this world title fight, their third meeting in the ring.
Born amid poverty in the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs) has overcome every barrier to become a worldwide figure. He has captured world titles at eight different weight divisions and is the lone congressional representative from the Sarangani province of his homeland. Juan Manuel Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KOs) is battle-tested, fearless and well-adjusted to the big stage. After battling Pacquiao to a draw in 2004 and suffering a narrow loss to him in 2008, he’s determined to even the score.
This fast-paced series will capture the interactions and rigors both men experience in preparing for their contest. Making his fifth “24/7” appearance, Pacquiao is expected to surround himself with a trusted contingent of family and friends in the Philippines and at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood as he works with longtime trainer Freddie Roach. Making his second “24/7” appearance, Marquez will again be trained by Nacho Beristain in the familiar surroundings of Mexico City.
24/7 PACQUIAO/MARQUEZ is the latest installment of the acclaimed franchise that began in 2007. Receiving two Emmys® for production excellence at the 2011 Sports Emmy® Awards, “24/7” is the most honored sports series on TV over the past four years, earning 14 Sports Emmys®.
The St. Petersburg Times has noted, “The best sports reality show on television is HBO’s ‘24/7.’ ”
“Pacquiao vs. Marquez III” takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 12 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/MARQUEZ is Rick Bernstein; senior producer, Dave Harmon; producers, Jon Crystal and Abtin Motia; co-producer Harley Glantz; writer, Aaron Cohen. Liev Schreiber narrates.