Radio Row Will Be Packed in Vegas For Pacquiao-Rios

BOXING STARS ALIGN FOR PACQUIAO vs. RIOS FIGHT WEEK!

13 National and Regional Radio Shows To Broadcast Live From The Palazzo Las Vegas Atrium Nov. 21 and 22

Live In-Person Guests to Include:

Sugar Ray Leonard / Roberto Duran

George Foreman / Marco Antonio Barrera

Timothy Bradley / Ray Mancini / Mike Alvarado

LAS VEGAS, NEV (November 18, 2013) —Boxing’s royalty will be in Las Vegas this week talking about the historic 12-round welterweight showdown between Fighter of the Decade MANNY PACQUIAO and former world champion BRANDON RIOS.Broadcasting throughout the day Live from the Palazzo Waterfall Atrium inside The Palazzo Las Vegas — sister property of the The Venetian Macao, the resort site hosting Pacquiao vs. Rios — Thursday, November 21 and Friday, November 22, 13 national and regional radio shows will be interviewing a boxing’s Who’s Who — in-person, including Hall of Famers George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Pacquiao rivals Marco Antonio Barrera and Timothy Bradley, Rios’ professional nemesis Mike Alvarado, and former world champion Ray Mancini.

The appearance schedule is as follows:

Thursday, November 21

• Timothy Bradley, undefeated two-division world champion who dethroned Pacquiao last year to claim his WBO welterweight title. Claimed his first world title in England, dethroning WBC super lightweight champion and hometown favorite Junior Witter.
• Marco Antonio Barrera, former three-division world champion who fought the majority of his fights outside his native Mexico, including two fights with Pacquiao.
• Mike Alvarado, the former WBO jr. lightweight champion who is 1-1 against Rios.

Friday, November 22

• George Foreman, former two-time heavyweight champion.Fought all his world title fights outside the U.S. during his first title reign.
• Sugar Ray Leonard, former five-division world champion who had one fight outside the U.S. — against Roberto Duran in Montreal — where he lost a unanimous decision — and his welterweight title to Duran.
• Roberto Duran, former four-division world champion who fought the majority of his major fights outside his native Panama.
• Ray Mancini, former lightweight champion who fought outside the U.S. once, in Italy, winning a narrow decision to retain his title.

“While the fight takes place in China, we want U.S. fight fans to be treated to the same real time experience they enjoy for all pay-per-view mega-fights,” said Mark Taffet of HBO Pay-Per-View.“With the star-studded group of fighters, the breadth of the radio stations broadcasting live, and the television and print interviews which emanate from Las Vegas, we will be able to provide a constant flow of news, information and entertainment which U.S. boxing fans can engage on their time.Additionally, the press conference and weigh-in from Macau will take place live at times which are convenient for the U.S. audience; and of course the live fight telecast on Saturday night November 23rd will take place at the usual time of 9 pm ET/6 pm PT.”

The seven boxing superstars will be discussing their experiences — the victories and the losses — when they fought on foreign soil as well as their analysis of the upcoming Pacquiao-Rios battle.Both Barrera and Bradley have first-hand knowledge of what Rios should expect from Pacquiao and what Rios will need to do to have his hand raised in victory in just five days. The same is true for Alvarado, who has tangled with Rios in two Fights of the Year. .

Promoted by Top Rank^® and Sands China Ltd., in association with MP Promotions, Tecate, Warner Bros. Pictures “Grudge Match,” and Eva Airlines, Pacquiao vs. Rios will take place Saturday, November 23, at The Venetian^® Macao’s CotaiArena™.It willbe produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View^®, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

For Pacquiao, this marks the pound-for-pound box office monarch’s first fight outside the U.S. since his 12-round super featherweight unanimous decision victory over former world champion Oscar Larios in 2006, which took place in the Philippines.Rios, one of boxing’s most exciting fighters, has only fought outside the U.S. twice, in México, winning a 10-round split decision over Ricardo Dominguez and knocking outDaniel Valenzuela in the second round in 2008 and 2009, respectively. .

HBO Sports’ groundbreaking “24/7” reality franchise, which has captured 17 Sports Emmy^® Awards, is providing an all-access pass to Pacquiao vs. Rios.The final episode of “24/7: Pacquiao/Rios” debuts Thursday, Nov. 21 (10:00 p.m.), just two days before the welterweight showdown.

The Venetian and The Palazzo will be the only resorts in Las Vegas to offer the live closed-circuit broadcast of Pacquiao vs. Rios.The bout will be available for viewing inside The Venetian Ballroom and at Lagasse’s Stadium. Doors open at 5 p.m., undercard fights begin at 6 p.m. Tickets for The Venetian Ballroom are $50. Food and beverage minimums apply for Lagasse’s Stadium. Tickets: 702-414-9000.

Las Vegas residents will still be able to order the live HBO Pay-per-View telecast in their homes.

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