NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2012 – HBO Sports’ groundbreaking “24/7” reality franchise, which has captured 14 Sports Emmy® Awards, returns in April for its 13th boxing installment with 24/7 MAYWEATHER/COTTO, an all-new four-episode, all-access series, it was announced today by Ken Hershman, president, HBO Sports. Debuting SATURDAY, APRIL 14 (9:45-10:15 p.m. ET/ 6:45-7:15 p.m. PT), the series will follow two elite fighters in one of boxing’s most competitive divisions as they prepare for their intriguing pay-per-view showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 5.
“‘24/7’ is all about high energy, great drama, revealing characters and unrestricted access,” noted Hershman. “We are grateful to both Floyd and Miguel and their camps that they will allow our cameras to chronicle their journeys to May 5th.”
Episodes two and three of 24/7 MAYWEATHER/COTTO debut on subsequent Saturdays – April 21 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT) and 28 (9:45 p.m.-10:15 p.m. ET/6:45 p.m.-7:15 p.m. PT) – while the finale debuts Friday, May 4 (8:00-8:30 p.m. ET/PT), the night before the high-stakes super welterweight 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 MAYWEATHER/COTTO will provide exclusive behind-the-scenes access, along with in-depth interviews, as the fighters prepare for their 154-pound world title fight.
A native of Grand Rapids, Mich., the talented and outspoken 35-year-old Mayweather (42-0, 26 KOs) has evolved into a celebrated superstar, and now resides in Las Vegas. The pride and joy of Puerto Rico, super welterweight titleholder Miguel Cotto (37-2, 30 KOs), 31, has reinvigorated his brilliant career with wins over Yuri Foreman, Ricardo Mayorga and Antonio Margarito in the past two years.
This fast-paced series will capture the interactions and rigors both men experience in preparing for their contest. Making his sixth “24/7” appearance, Mayweather is expected to surround himself with a familiar contingent of family and friends as he trains with trusted longtime trainer and uncle Roger Mayweather. Cotto is making his third “24/7” appearance.
24/7 MAYWEATHER/COTTO is the latest installment of the acclaimed “24/7” franchise that began in 2007. At the 2011 Sports Emmy® Awards, “24/7” was recognized with two Emmys® for production excellence and is the most honored sports series on TV over the past four years, earning 14 Sports Emmys® overall.
Newsday.com has observed, “HBO’s ‘24/7’ series is the best sports program on television. Bar none.”
“Mayweather vs. Cotto” takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 5 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 MAYWEATHER/COTTO is Rick Bernstein; senior producer, Dave Harmon; coordinating producer, Bentley Weiner; co-producer, Abtin Motia; writer, Aaron Cohen. Liev Schreiber narrates.