Pacquiao-Bradley 24/7 Debuts on HBO May 26

HBO SPORTS’ 24/7 PACQUIAO/BRADLEY,
A THREE-EPISODE, ALL-ACCESS SERIES LEADING UP TO THE
PAY-PER-VIEW SHOWDOWN AT THE MGM GRAND IN LAS VEGAS,
DEBUTS MAY 26, EXCLUSIVELY 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.