24/7 Pacquiao/Bradley Debuts Saturday, May 26 on HBO

NEW YORK, Feb. 23, 2012 – HBO Sports’ groundbreaking “24/7” reality franchise, which has captured 14 Sports Emmy® Awards, returns in May for its 14th boxing installment with 24/7 PACQUIAO/BRADLEY, an all-new, three-episode, all-access series, it was announced today by Ken Hershman, president, HBO Sports. Debuting SATURDAY, MAY 26 (9:30-10:00 p.m. ET/PT), the series will follow two elite fighters as they prepare for their intriguing welterweight title showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on June 9.

“We are really looking forward to presenting this all-new edition of ‘24/7’ in a style that only ‘24/7’ can deliver,” said Hershman. “Manny and Tim have contrasting back stories and we will spotlight these two compelling characters against the backdrop of a major title fight.”

Episode two of 24/7 PACQUIAO/BRADLEY debuts SATURDAY, JUNE 2, while the finale debuts FRIDAY, JUNE 8, the night before the high-stakes welterweight title bout. All three 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/BRADLEY will provide exclusive behind-the-scenes access, along with in-depth interviews, as the fighters prepare for this 147-pound encounter, which pits a worldwide figure who made an improbable climb to the top level of the sport against a hungry young undefeated boxer who believes his time has arrived.

Born amid poverty in the Philippines, where he is currently the lone congressional representative from the Sarangani province, Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KOs) has overcome every barrier to become an icon, capturing world titles in eight different weight divisions. He will be fighting in Las Vegas for the 14th time as he defends his title. Timothy Bradley, Jr. (28-0, 12 KOs), an engaging fighter and one of the future stars of the sport, will be appearing under the bright lights of Las Vegas for the second time in his pro career.

This fast-paced series will capture the interactions and rigors both men experience in preparing for their contest. In his sixth “24/7” appearance, Pacquiao, 33, 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 “24/7” debut, Palm Springs, Cal. native Bradley, 28, is looking to make a name for himself in the division.

24/7 PACQUIAO/BRADLEY 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® overall.

The St. Petersburg Times has noted, “The best sports reality show on television is HBO’s ‘24/7.’ ”

“Pacquiao vs. Bradley” takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, June 9 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/BRADLEY is Rick Bernstein; senior producer, Dave Harmon; coordinating producer, Scott Boggins; co-producer, George Jakovic; writer, Aaron Cohen. Liev Schreiber narrates.

Melson to meet Parsley in Battle of Unbeatens!

New York, NY (February 23, 2012) – Junior Middleweight Captain Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson will put his perfect record on the line when he faces fellow unbeaten Delen “Sniper” Parsley of Brooklyn, NY in an eight round contest Wednesday, March 7 at BB King Blues Club in New York City.

A Brooklyn native who currently resides in Manhattan, Melson is amongst the most popular fighters in the tri-state area. In his most recent match, Melson, 8-0 (4 KO’s), impressed a capacity crowd at the Roseland Ballroom by dominating Shawn Rawley Wilson over six one-sided rounds.

Long and lean, the 6’2 Parsley is 6-0 with 2 wins coming by way of knockout. The 24-year-old Parsley outboxed Jevon Boisseau in October of last year and has won all six of his bouts with ease.

“Delen is a tremendously gifted athlete with a great deal of natural ability in the ring,” said Melson, who was selected as an alternate for the 2008 US Olympic Team but withdrew due to an injury. We sparred twice prior to my second pro bout, and I think he’d agree that we both held our own. This is going to be a strong test for me and it’s also my first eight rounder, so I have to look to what beats inside my chest.”

Following all eight of his professional bouts, Melson’s donated his entire purse to justadollarplease.org to support America’s first Clinical Stem Cell Trial using umbilical cord cells. After his bout with Parsley however, the West Point grad will give his earnings to childhood friend Jason Shelbourne, whose three year old son is battling brain cancer.

“This morning, I saw a Facebook group called “Prayers for Adler Shelbourne,” stating that Jason’s son has brain cancer and tears just started to flow. Jason and his wife Stephanie are incredible human beings and now they have had to hold fundraisers because of the massive medical bills. It’s my pleasure to be helping out a lifelong friend, especially when his family needs it most. I told Jason you better not feel bad for your son. God made him strong enough to handle this and you underestimate his strength by feeling bad for him. You never need to feel bad for those strong enough to handle life’s challenges.”

The card is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and tickets starting at $55 are available by calling 212-947-2577.

In association with Justadollarplease, Melson created Team Fight to Walk, whose mission is to raise awareness within the boxing community about the importance of stem cell research for spinal cord injuries. Team Fight to Walk is comprised of Melson, former two-time cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham, title contender DeAndre “The Bull” Latimore, Edgar “El Chamaco” Santana, Hector Camacho Jr., 2008 US Olympian Shawn Estrada, and prospects Sid “The Messenger” El Harrak, Denis “Da Momma’s Boy” Douglin, Frank Galarza, Will Rosinsky, Vinny “The Lion” O’Brien, Ahmed “Prince of Egypt” Samir and Delen “Sniper” Parsley.

For more information or to make a donation, go to teamfighttowalk.com or Justadollarplease.org.