NEW YORK – HBO Sports’ groundbreaking reality franchise “24/7,” which captured three Sports Emmy® Awards earlier this year, returns in November with the four-episode, all-access series DE LA HOYA/PACQUIAO 24/7, spotlighting the sport’s biggest star and his gifted opponent – the reigning pound-for-pound king – in the weeks before their Dec. 6 pay-per-view welterweight showdown.
The fourth edition of “24/7,” DE LA HOYA/PACQUIAO 24/7 debuts SUNDAY, NOV. 16 (8:30-9:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO, with episodes two and three debuting subsequent Sundays at the same time. The finale debuts THURSDAY, DEC. 4 (8:30-9:00 p.m.), two days prior to the fight. All four episodes have an 11:30 p.m. encore play the evening of their debut. The series will also be available on HBO On Demand.
HBO Sports will provide exclusive behind-the-scenes access, along with in-depth interviews, as two surefire Hall of Famers prepare for one of boxing’s most intriguing bouts. The 35-year-old De La Hoya (39-5, 30 KOs) turned professional after winning the gold at the 1992 Summer Olympic Games. A native of East Los Angeles, he has routinely set box-office records during his stellar career, ranging from the junior lightweight division to the middleweight ranks.
A national hero in his native Philippines, the 29-year-old Pacquiao (47-3-2, 35 KOs) is recognized by most boxing observers as the sport’s unofficial pound-for-pound king. Demonstrating knockout power in four weight classes, he will now jump from the 135-pound lightweight division to the 147-pound welterweight ranks to battle De La Hoya.
HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg says, “We look forward to presenting the compelling storylines and characters that will make this edition of ‘24/7’ provocative and engaging television. This fight has the entire boxing community talking about what will happen, and our mission is to get the casual sports fan emotionally involved with the principals.”
DE LA HOYA/PACQUIAO 24/7 follows the runaway hits “De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7,” which debuted in April 2007, and “Mayweather/Hatton 24/7,” which debuted in November 2007.
Newsweek wrote, “ ‘De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7’ is an engrossing look at both a boxing match and a personal circus, and fans of human drama will want to have a ringside seat.” ESPN The Magazine proclaimed the series “a masterfully entertaining reality show,” while the New York Daily News called it “compelling television.”
At the 2008 Sports Emmy® Awards, “De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7” was honored in the category of Outstanding Edited Sports Special, while “Mayweather/Hatton 24/7” was honored in the categories of Outstanding Camera Work and Outstanding Writing.
On Saturday, Dec. 6 at 9:00 p.m. (ET)/6:00 p.m. (PT), HBO Pay-Per-View presents “De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao,” live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The executive producers of DE LA HOYA/PACQUIAO 24/7 are Ross Greenburg and Rick Bernstein; coordinating producer, Dave Harmon; producers, Scott Boggins and Johnson McKelvy. Liev Schreiber narrates.