HBO Sports, widely recognized for its engaging storytelling presentations and winner of ten George F. Peabody Awards for broadcast excellence, has begun production on the one-hour special MAYWEATHER/PACQUIAO: AT LAST, detailing the nearly six-year journey to the most-anticipated fight of the modern era, the May 2 Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao blockbuster welterweight unification title bout.
Debuting SATURDAY, APRIL 18 (11:45 p.m.-12:45 a.m. ET/PT), immediately following the previously announced "HBO Boxing After Dark®" doubleheader beginning at 9:45 p.m., the film, narrated by Liev Schreiber, chronicles the biggest challenge of Manny Pacquiao's stellar pro career. A special prime time replay will air on Thursday, April 23 (9:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. ET/PT). MAYWEATHER/PACQUIAO: AT LAST combines new and archival material to look at what is expected to be the most lucrative bout in the sport's history.
Other HBO playdates: April 19 (11:45 a.m.), 20 (2:30 p.m., 2:15 a.m.), 22 (1:30 p.m., 11:50 p.m.), 23 (11:00 a.m., 2:35 a.m.), 25 (9:15 a.m.) and 29 (11:00 a.m., 4:30 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: April 19 (2:45 p.m.), 21 (3:15 p.m.), 22 (4:15 p.m.), 24 (8:30 a.m., 10:00 p.m.) and 28 (8:00 p.m.)
Global icon Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs), a national hero in his homeland of the Philippines, is preparing to fight the unbeaten Floyd Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) in a 147-pound unification championship showdown that will take place at a capacity-filled MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 2. The live pay-per-view telecast begins at 9:00 p.m. (ET)/6:00 p.m. (PT) and will be co-produced and co-distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and Showtime PPV®.
"This is the mega-fight fans have been anticipating for many years, and we are thrilled to chronicle Manny Pacquiao's path to this defining moment in his career," says Rick Bernstein, executive producer, HBO Sports. "This special will provide viewers with a narrative of how this fight came to be and spotlight Team Pacquiao's preparations heading into the biggest challenge Manny has confronted in the ring. It will be a terrific primer for any viewer eager to go behind the scenes in the lead-up to May 2."
Pacquiao, 36, is conducting his training camp at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, Cal. under the watchful eye of Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach. Willing to accept any challenge, Pacquiao has faced a wide range of superstar opponents throughout his career, including Oscar de la Hoya, Juan Manuel Marquez (four times), Marco Antonio Barrera (twice), Erik Morales (three times), Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto and Timothy Bradley, Jr. (twice). The May 2 mega-fight marks the 21st time Pacquiao is headlining a pay-per-view event.
As part of HBO's comprehensive initiative surrounding the Mayweather-Pacquiao event, a separate all-new HBO Sports special will debut Saturday, April 25 (12:15-12:45 a.m. ET/PT), with details to be announced as they are confirmed. HBO will also present a Manny Pacquiao mini-marathon of classic fights that starts airing the weekend of April 17.'
The executive producer of MAYWEATHER/PACQUIAO: AT LAST is Rick Bernstein; director, Bentley Weiner; co-director, Abtin Motia; narrator, Liev Schreiber; writer, Aaron Cohen.