MANILA, Philippines -- A special prelude to the highly-anticipated match between Filipino star Manny Pacquiao and British slugger Ricky Hatton is now available on YouTube.
The HBO-produced “Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7” provides in-depth coverage on the two fighters’ preparations leading to the fight. Off-ring footage is likewise provided, delving further into the combatant’s and their close aides’ personalities.
So far, two out of the four ‘24/7’ installments have already been aired and are now available in YouTube for viewing. (Click here for Episode 1. Episode 2 is aired in four parts - I, II, III, IV)
The Emmy Award-winning ‘24/7’ has been fight broadcaster HBO’s means of drumming up interest in major pay-per-view (PPV) boxing matches. Debuting in 2007 to hype up the Oscar De La Hoya-Floyd Mayweather bout, the critically acclaimed four-part series has boosted PPV subscriptions — with De La Hoya-Mayweather setting a record for the most PPV buys at 2.4 million households worth $120 million.
The Pacquiao-Hatton fight, dubbed "The Battle of East and West," is slated on May 2 (May 3 in Manila). It will be contested in the junior welterweight division (140 pounds), where Hatton is the lineal champion.