MACAU, CHINA (November 13, 2013) — Former world champion BRANDON “Bam Bam” RIOS and his team, headed up by Trainer of the Year Robert Garcia, arrived at The Venetian Macao® earlier today with one mission on their minds — BEAT MANNY PACQUIAO!

“I’m in China baby!” exclaimed Rios as he was greeted at the resort’s VIP Entrance. “I worked hard in camp, have a great team, Robert Garcia will be in my corner on the night of my fight. I’m totally prepared and I will win.”

Rios (31-1-1, 22 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif., will train daily at The Venetian Macao’s gym beginning Thursday morning.

“I also know China fans will be rooting for me,” added Rios. “They told me that the last time I was here for our media tour, when Pacquiao and I raced up the stairs of the Great Wall. I beat him then and I will beat him on November 23. It’s great to be back here. I am ready to retire Manny Pacquiao. Victory will be mine.”

Rios and Fighter of the Decade Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 KOs), the lone congressional representative from the Sarangani province of the Philippines, collide in a 12-round welterweight rumble on Saturday, November 23 at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Arena™. Promoted by Top Rank and Sands China Ltd., in association with MP Promotions, Tecate, Warner Bros. Pictures “Grudge Match” and Eva Airlines, the five-bout Pacquiao vs. Rios welterweight event will be 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 out Daniel 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. Episodes two and three of “24/7 Pacquiao/Rios” premiere in prime time Saturday, Nov. 16 (9:30 p.m.) and Thursday, Nov. 21 (10:00 p.m.), just two days before the welterweight showdown.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo or facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, and twitter.com/hboboxing. Use the Hashtag #PacRios to join the conversation on Twitter.

NEW YORK (November 11, 2013) — If Horace Greeley were a boxing promoter today he would undoubtedly be espousing, “Go East, young man.” And in boxing’s biggest demonstration of Manifist Destiny, Fighter of the Decade Congressman MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO and former world champion BRANDON “Bam Bam” RIOS will battle each other in a 12-round welterweight rumble, Saturday, November 23, from The Venetian® Macao’s CotaiArena™, in Macao, China. 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 be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

Remaining tickets, priced from $1,275 to $115, and various ticket-hotel packages at Sands China’s Cotai Strip Resorts Macao, are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.venetianmacao.com/manny. U.S.-based fans may also order via a special toll-free number: 1-855-234-4410.

The Pacquiao – Rios promotion began with a 23,722-mile international media tour, which started on July 27 in Macao, and stopped off in Beijing, Shanghai and Singapore, before moving to the U.S, with a day-long visit at the Bristol, Conn. headquarters of ESPN, followed by press conferences in New York and Los Angeles.

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’ only fights outside the U.S. were in México where he won a 10-round split decision over Ricardo Dominguez. and scored a second-round knockout of Daniel Valenzuela, in 2008 and 2009, respectively.

“Brandon Rios is the biggest test out there for me and I will be ready to meet the challenge,” said Pacquiao. “I have heard what Brandon has been saying. If he fights as well as he boasts it will be a great fight for us and the fans.”

“Out with the old, in with the new . . . and I’m the new! Manny, this is my time,” said Rios.

“Big time boxing is being firmly established in China with a Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon Rios showdown at The Venetian Macao,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. “It is fitting that Asia’s most famous fighter will box in a big event in Macao. All fight fans are looking forward to an exciting bout between Manny against super fan-friendly Brandon Rios with his exciting, never quit style.”

“This historic matchup between Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios is going to be spectacular,” said Edward Tracy, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sands China Ltd. “It’s the latest example of the edge-of-your seat, high-octane event that Sands China is known for. It’s all part of our multi-tiered entertainment strategy of bringing the world’s biggest superstars of sport to Macao to display their skills at these must-see events.”

“Manny Pacquiao versus Brandon Rios is a terrific stylistic matchup that fight fans are going to be enormously excited about,” said Mark Taffet, senior vice president, HBO Pay-Per-View. “In addition to so much being on the line in this fight we have the compelling backstory of the event taking place at a glamorous international destination that will generate even more interest in the fight and establish that Saturday, Nov. 23 is going to be an extraordinary, can’t miss night in boxing history.”

Trained by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach, Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 KOs), the lone congressional representative from the Sarangani province in the Philippines (he was reelected to a second term, running unopposed this year), is the only fighter to win eight world titles in as many different weight divisions. A three-time Fighter of the Year and the Boxing Writers Association of America’s “Fighter of the Decade,” Pacquiao’s resumé features victories over future Hall of Famers, including Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Márquez. From 2008 to 2010, five of his seven victories were world title victories in five different weight classes, where he dethroned super featherweight champion Márquez, lightweight champion David Diaz, junior welterweight champion Hatton, welterweight champion Cotto, and he annihilated three-time world champion Antonio Margarito for the vacant super welterweight title. Pacquiao’s seven-year, 15-bout winning streak came to an end on June 9, 2012, when he lost his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown to undefeated WBO junior welterweight champion Timothy Bradley, Jr. via a controversial split decision. That was followed by a knockout loss to professional nemesis Márquez last December 8 — a fight Pacquiao was winning before he got careless trying to close the show and instead was stopped by the knockout punch of the year. No active boxer has sold more live tickets in the U.S. than Pacquiao, who has generated more than 11 million pay-per-view buys in the U.S.

Rios (31-1-1, 22 KOs), the former World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight champion, from Oxnard, Calif., is on the hunt for his second world title in as many weight divisions. He enters this fight having won 11 of his previous 14 fights by knockout. One of boxing’s most exciting fighters, Rios is known for his all-action fan-friendly fighting style. His trainer, former International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior lightweight champion and 2012 Trainer of the Year Robert Garcia, calls it a “throwback” style with a warrior’s mentality that screams excitement. Highlight knockout victories on Rios’ resume include Miguel Acosta, Anthony Peterson, Urbano Antillon, John Murray and Mike Alvarado. Alvarado, the natural 140-pounder, entered that fight as the undefeated WBO No. 1 junior welterweight contender. Many consider it 2012’s Fight of the Year. In their exciting rematch, which took place on March 30, Rios lost a close decision for the vacant WBO interim junior welterweight title. It is considered the leading contender for the 2013 Fight of the Year. Rios enters this fight world-rated as the No. 1 contender.

The five-bout pay-per-view telecast will also feature undefeated IBF featherweight champion EVGENY GRADOVICH (17-0, 8 KOs), of Ingrim, Russia, defending his title in a rematch against the man he dethroned, BILLY DIB (36-2, 21 KOs), of Sydney Australia; No. 6-world rated contender ANDY RUIZ, Jr. (20-0, 14 KOs), of Mexiali, Mexico, and TOR HAMER (21-2, 14 KOs), of New York will battle for the WBO Inter-Continental and NABF heavyweight titles; two-time Olympic gold medalist and Chinese icon ZOU SHIMING (2-0) of Guizhou, China, continues his march toward a world title when he faces undefeated JUAN TOSCANO (4-0, 1 KO), of Ensenada, Mexico. The live pay-per-view telecast will open with undefeated 2012 Puerto Rican Olympian FELIX VERDEJO (8-0, 6 KOs), of San Juan, in a six-round junior lightweight fight against DUANAAYMUKDAHAN PETCHSAMUTHR (8-1, 1 KO), of Bangkok, Thailand.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com or www.hbo.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo or facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo or twitter.com/hboboxing. Use the Hashtag #PacRios to join the conversation on Twitter.

The Pacquiao vs. Rios telecast, which begins at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT, will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 92 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry.

HBO Sports’ groundbreaking “24/7” reality franchise, which has captured 17 Sports Emmy® Awards, is providing an all-access pass to Pacquiao vs. Rios. Episodes two and three of “24/7 Pacquiao/Rios” premiere in prime time Saturday, Nov. 16 (9:30 p.m.) and Thursday, Nov. 21 (10:00 p.m.), just two days before the welterweight showdown.

Entertainment at Sands China Ltd. Properties
Sands China Ltd. has as a clear vision to establish Macao as Asia’s top entertainment destination.

The 15,000-seat Cotai Arena is the only venue in Asia ranked in Pollstar’s Top 100 Worldwide Arena Venues based on ticket sales. It is the top entertainment destination in southern China, hosting the world’s and the region’s biggest names in music, sports and awards shows. Superstars frequently choose the venue as the starting point of their Asian tours.

The 1800-seat, multi-purpose Venetian Theatre is one of the most luxurious entertainment venues in greater China. Featuring ushers in black-tie, champagne service, gourmet food and beverage items and other unique, premium amenities, it offers an intimate, luxurious and exclusive venue experience. The Venetian Theatre is playing a key role in bringing the best in international and Chinese entertainment to Macao, with a luxury theatre experience like no other in the region.

The 650-seat Sands Macao Hotel theatre regularly features internationally-renowned singers, performers and artists of the highest calibre. From traditional Chinese-costumed dancers to modern performances, and from singing troupes to contemporary bands, everything from Western rock to Cantonese pop is covered.

With an unbeatable diversity, the entertainment offering of Sands China Ltd. is ushering in a new era of entertainment in Macao.

About The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel
Opened in 2007, The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel is Macao’s first integrated resort featuring stunning replicas of the famous canals and architectural icons of Venice, Italy. The Venetian Macao features 3,000 suites, 1.2 million square feet (111,000 square metres) of convention and meeting facilities as well as a 15,000-seat Cotai Arena designed for world-class sports events and electrifying entertainment. The Venetian Macao is also home to the unique, 1,800-seat luxury Venetian Theatre, hosting the best in international and Chinese entertainment; more than 30 renowned restaurants; MALO CLINIC Health & Wellness; the incredibly fun QUBE indoor playground and more than 300 retailers at Shoppes at Venetian. Outdoor recreation areas include swimming pools and cabanas and a mini-golf course.

For more information, please visit www.venetianmacao.com.

About Cotai Strip Resorts Macao – Macao’s Integrated Resort City
Sands China Ltd. is the leading developer, owner and operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The befittingly named Cotai Strip Resorts Macao, situated on reclaimed land between the islands of Coloane and Taipa, is the one destination that provides a stunning array of experiences at the heart of Cotai. Cotai Strip Resorts Macao has transformed a gaming-centric day-trip market into an integrated resort city and international hub for business and leisure travellers.

Pulsating with life, both night and day, Cotai Strip Resorts Macao features an expansive offering of affordable luxury available nowhere else in Macao, with approximately 9,000 hotel rooms and suites, international superstar live entertainment, duty-free shopping with 600 retailers offering an unparalleled array of name brands, 1.3 million square feet (120,000 square metres) of meeting and exhibition space for Asia’s leading conferences and exhibitions, gaming excitement, transportation offerings and well over 100 dining options, including international restaurants, bars and lounges. Cotai Strip Resorts Macao is a must-see destination providing every guest with an unforgettable experience and unparalleled excitement.

Comprised of the The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel; The Plaza™ Macao, featuring the Four Seasons Hotel Macao; and Sands® Cotai Central, featuring the world’s largest Conrad, Sheraton, and Holiday Inn hotels, Cotai Strip Resorts Macao is where Asia’s ultimate destination is all within reach.

Cotai Strip Resorts Macao….truly Macao Starts Here™. For more information, please visit http://en.cotaistrip.com/.

HBO Sports’ groundbreaking “24/7” reality franchise, which has captured 17 Sports Emmy® Awards, returns for its 18th boxing installment with 24/7 PACQUIAO/RIOS, debuting SATURDAY, NOV. 9 (12:15-12:45 a.m. ET/PT), following the “HBO Boxing After Dark” tripleheader from Corpus Christi. The all-access series will provide exclusive behind-the-scenes access, along with in-depth interviews, as two elite fighters prepare for their intriguing welterweight showdown Nov. 23 at the Venetian CotaiArena in Macau, China.
Episode # 1

Debut: SATURDAY, NOV. 9 (12:15-12:45 a.m. ET/PT) immediately following Boxing After Dark

Other HBO playdates: Nov. 9 (5:25 a.m.), 10 (11:45 a.m.), 11 (1:30 p.m., midnight), 12 (7:30 p.m., 2:15 a.m.), 13 (9:30 p.m.), 14 (midnight), 15 (7:00 p.m.), 16 (9:30 a.m.), 22 (7:30 p.m.) and 23 (9:30 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Nov. 10 (11:00 p.m.), 15 (10:30 p.m.), 22 (11:15 p.m.) and 23 (1:40 p.m.)

HBO On Demand and HBO GO availability begins: Nov. 12.

Manny Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 KOs) and trainer Freddie Roach look back at Pacquiao’s recent loss to Juan Manuel Marquez and consider how they will approach this fight differently. Brandon Rios (31-1-1, 22 KOs) talks about his two classic encounters with Mike Alvarado. Both fighters embark on a worldwide media tour to publicize the Nov. 23 spectacle.

Episode two of 24/7 PACQUIAO/RIOS debuts Saturday, Nov. 16 (9:30-10:00 p.m.), while the finale debuts Thursday, Nov. 21 (10:00-10:30 p.m.), two nights before the high-stakes welterweight bout.

“Pacquiao vs. Rios” takes place at the Venetian Macao in Macau, China on Saturday, Nov. 23 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/RIOS is Rick Bernstein; senior producer, Dave Harmon; coordinating producer, Bentley Weiner; producers, Harley Glantz, George Jakovic and Abtin Motia; writer, Aaron Cohen. Liev Schreiber narrates.

Manny Pacquiao’s larger-than-life persona is intact despite last year’s long fall to the canvas in a stunning reminder that nothing lasts forever. That much was evident a few days ago in a conference call with Brandon Rios.

One of the questions assumed that Pacquiao was bigger than Rios.

No, not now. Not ever.

“If you say that, your eyes are deceiving you,’’ Rios said.

Rios is right, of course. Look at the photos of the two, standing face to face, in news conferences announcing their fight on Nov. 23 in Macao. Rios, listed at 5 feet 8, looks down at Pacquiao, 5-6 ½, in every one of them. Yet in the public imagination, Pacquiao is the bigger guy. It’s a perception created by a celebrity that grew like a monument with dramatic victories that transformed the Filipino into an icon.

Over the last decade, maybe Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been the better fighter, the pound-for-pound choice. But as a people’s champ, it’s Pacquiao. They look up to him, even when he was face-down from a crushing right delivered by Juan Manuel Marquez last December.

For Rios, Pacquiao’s enduring popularity is just one of many challenges, especially if the fight goes to the scorecards. It’s no secret that Pacquiao is the point man in promoter Bob Arum’s attempt to turn China into a boxing market. Pacquiao will be fighting in his home hemisphere. Calculate those odds and you get a pretty good idea why Timothy Bradley wouldn’t go to China for a rematch of his controversial decision over Pacquiao. If Bradley had a chance, he figured it wasn’t in the cards.

The assumption is that Rios-Pacquiao won’t be decided by judges, whose scoring has already made 2013 a controversial year. Rios is there because he’s supposed to make Pacquiao look good. Rios moves forward in the relentless style perfect for a dramatic Pacquiao stoppage. It’s what a comeback needs. It’s what a new market demands.

But there’s a caveat attached to that plot. Yeah, the Pacquiao we remember – the guy who beat Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto – makes short work of Rios. But the post-Marquez Pacquiao? It’s a question that has to make Arum very nervous.

There’s been a lot of talk about whether Marquez’ knockout punch will have lingering effects. It’s impossible to know until opening bell. In part, that’s why Pacquiao-Rios is the most intriguing fight of the year. But Marquez’ punch was just one among many over the last three years in Pacquiao’s career. Both Pacquiao and Rios say that anybody can get knocked out by a single blow.

The bigger question is whether there has been a cumulative effect from all of the punches Pacquiao endured in fights against bigger guys. The biggest came in one of Pacquiao’s signature victories, a unanimous decision over Antonio Margarito in November, 2010 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Tex. All of the attention was in the way Pacquiao left Margarito’s right eye so horribly disfigured in what was supposed to be a junior-middleweight fight. But in beating Margarito, Pacquiao also took one in body blows from a fighter who outweighed him by nearly 20 pounds at opening bell.

In Pacquiao’s subsequent fights against Shane Mosley, Marquez in a second rematch and Bradley, there were signs of decline. His hands didn’t move quite as fast. Gone was the instinct to finish a hurt foe. Maybe, Marquez’ right hand in their fourth fight just confirmed what many had begun to see. Maybe, it was the final punctuation point to an ongoing narrative.

A lot has been made of Rios’ friendship with Margarito. Rios says he’s different than Margarito. Fair enough, but they are both brawlers and, in the end, that might serve Rios well. Rios is nothing if not tough. In the classic Mexican style, he takes punches to throw them. It would be no surprise if Pacquiao scores an early knockdown. It also wouldn’t be a surprise if Rios gets up, smiles through bloody teeth and begins to turn the bout into a brawl.

How does Pacquiao react then? Does he want another victory at the price of more punishment?

It’s then – and only then — when we’ll know whether Pacquiao is back or in fact finished by punches that preceded the single shot that took down a monument.

OXNARD, CALIF (October 31, 2013) — Former world champion BRANDON “Bam Bam” RIOS (31-1-1, 22 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif., and reigning Trainer of the Year ROBERT GARCIA hosted their only U.S. Media Workout today at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in Oxnard.

KEVIN HART, who stars as a savvy boxing promoter in the upcoming Warner Bros. Pictures movie “Grudge Match,” was also in attendance. [Link to the trailer for Grudge Match: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bQSOBJCPQE&feature=youtu.be]

Rios is in deep training for his eagerly-anticipated welterweight collision with Fighter of the Decade, Congressman MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO (54-5-2, 38 KOs). Rios departs for Macau on November 11 to acclimate to the environment.

BRANDON RIOS

“I am going to China to win. I am going to wear down Pacquiao like I do all of my opponents. If I get a knockout, good. I am physically strong and I am going to take it to him.

“My team – Robert Garcia and Cameron Dunkin – believes in me. They have from the beginning. my dad, Manuel, has always believed in me and he’s going to China with me.

“Let Freddie Roach know I am a man, I come for the win, the kill. Tell Freddie that – I want him to know.

“I am in the prime of my career, not like Pacquiao

“I will be ready for Pacquiao. I have two smart men in my corner – Robert and his father.”

ROBERT GARCIA

“We’ve been training three months and Brandon has better footwork, head movement, and hand speed.

“We are preparing to face the Manny Pacquiao who was so dominant a few years ago. We have a game plan to win this fight. Brandon is fully prepared and has the mental toughness to break down and beat Manny.”

KEVIN HART

“I plan to order the Pacquiao – Rios HBO Pay-Per-View seven times on November 23. I want to make sure I won’t miss it.”

*******************************

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

For Pacquiao, boxing’s only eight-division world champion, this marks the pound-for-pound box office monarch’s 2013 debut as well as his 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. once, in México in 2008 when he won a 10-round split decision over Ricardo Dominguez.

HBO Sports’ groundbreaking “24/7” reality franchise, which has captured 17 Sports Emmy® Awards, returns for its 18th boxing installment with 24/7 PACQUIAO/RIOS. The series debuts Saturday, Nov. 9, immediately following the Boxing After Dark tripleheader from Corpus Christi, TX. All new episodes premiere in prime time Saturday, Nov. 16 and Thursday, Nov. 21, just two days before the welterweight showdown in Macau.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo or facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, twitter.com/hboboxing and twitter.com/pacrios.

From training camp at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in Oxnard, California, we have former world champion Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios and his trainer, “Trainer of the Year” Robert Garcia, and Hall of Fame Promoter Bob Arum. They are here to discuss their upcoming historic battle against Manny Pacquiao and Freddie Roach, taking place Saturday, November 23 and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® at 9:00 PM east coast and 6:00 PM west coast time. Brandon will be hosting his only U.S. media workout this Thursday at Robert Garcia’s gym – 1451 Pacific Ave., Oxnard, California, beginning at Noon PT. Joining Brandon at the workout will be Kevin Hart, who is starring in the upcoming Warner Bros. movie “Grudge Match” which will also be starring Sylvester Stallone and Robert DeNiro. Kevin will also be available for interviews at the workout, as will Bob Arum.

BOB ARUM: Hello everybody, I don’t know if it’s morning or night but we just got back from the Philippines last night in time for this conference call with Brandon Rios and Robert Garcia. Everyone is pumped and ready to go. The buzz in Asia is just tremendous. Over 70 media members from all over – mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore attended Manny’s media day, and now we shift the focus to America with Brandon Rios on this conference call and his media day on Thursday.

BRANDON RIOS: Training camp has been going great. It’s awesome. I won’t say it been my best training camp ever, but it’s been great. Now I am just ready to go out there and do what I’ve got to do.

Robert, we understand you are leaving for Macau on November 11 to get acclimated, how do you feel it’s been going so far?

ROBERT GARCIA: Everything is great. We’ve had a great training camp with great sparring partners.. We will leave on the 11th and we have everybody – the cook, sparring partners ready to go.

How is preparation for a welterweight fight?

BRANDON RIOS: It is really great. I don’t have to kill myself to make 140 or even 135 that I was doing before that. I fell really great and I feel really strong. I don’t think the weight will affect me a negative way, I actually think it will help me.

ROBERT GARCIA: You know he seems to be much more comfortable at this weight. Normally three or four weeks out he is usually training to cut the weight and it was hurting his performances in the gym. That seven pounds is not going to hurt him at all. He is going to be stronger and he’s going to be faster because he is not cutting weight like he did when he was fighting at 135 or 140. Now the training is on our game plan and how to beat Manny Pacquiao, not on cutting weight, and he will be better for it when he gets in the ring with Manny Pacquiao.

Does part of you want to go in there and jump on him to see how Pacquiao reacts after the brutal knockout by Juan Manuel Márquez?

BRANDON RIOS: No we cannot do that. We can’t go in the ring and think he’s going to be like that from the last knockout. We don’t know how he is personally. We have to go in there and wait and wait and wait and see what he has because he is still a dangerous opponent. Pacquiao is always going to be dangerous, so I can’t go in there and jump on him to see if he’s done with. I’m not thinking like that. I’m going in there with a great game plan. Robert has a great game plan and his dad is also helping us out. So we have a great game plan going into the fight and I have to follow instructions and stick to the game plan and I think we should be ready.

Robert, what do you think about trying to jump on him?

ROBERT GARCIA: My dad and I have put together a great game plan for Rios and we have been watching the Pacquiao tapes together. That is something that everybody expects us to do and we just might do that. We don’t know what Pacquiao has coming out. But we also have to be smart. We just can’t jump in there and think we are going to be the better guy that night. No, we have to be ready for the best Pacquiao. For him, it’s do or die so we have to be ready for the best Pacquiao. We can’t go in there thinking it’s going to be easy. Our game plan has turned out really good. If Brandon follows instructions and does everything we tell him to do, the sparring partners have been very helpful, so we should come out with good results.

How do you prepare for the time change? Fighting in the morning in Macau?

ROBERT GARCIA: The fact that we are fighting in the morning, it is different and we have never done that. It’s not only different for us but for everyone on the card and is new for everybody. One thing about Brandon is that he always trains at that time anyway. He is always at the gym at 11 and by Noon he is already sparring and doing his work. So that is already something we do, so it could benefit us. When we go to Macau we will do the same thing. We will be training early.

BRANDON RIOS: It’s going to be different, but not really. Once you get in the ring and fight you are not even thinking about ‘Oh it’s going to be too early for me.’ It’s in the morning, but to me, I’m just ready to fight, to get It on. To show the world what I can do when I’m in top shape having the best training camp ever and when I come in mentally and physically ready to show everybody what they can expect from me.

We noticed you and Manny acting friendly while in China on the tour. Are you finding that changing now getting closer to the fight?

BRANDON RIOS: I always have my game face on. Yes, in China we saw each other a lot but didn’t really talk to each other. We showed respect to each other, but that’s it. Right when my manager Cameron Dunkin told me on the phone I was fighting Pacquiao – I had my game face on. So I am ready to fight.

Bob, what have you seen from Brandon’s personality so far?

BOB ARUM: Brandon is somebody who is really a credit to boxing, because he has a great fan-friendly personality and fighting style. You know if you are watching a Brandon Rios fight you are going to see a real fight. He has a big heart and brings a lot of energy into a fight. He complements Pacquiao in this fight. They are both high energy fighters and I think we are going to see a tremendous battle between two guys who love to fight and know, when they get in the ring that that’s what is expected of them.

How is the fight doing? How is the risk factor economically?

BOB ARUM: There is no risk, to be honest. The Macau fight will be sold out. There will be thousands more in Macau watching on close circuit, as in Hong Kong, as in the Venetian in Las Vegas – so that aspect is all covered. The television all over Asia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia is going to set records for viewership. And in the United States, we believe with the campaign we are going to have the pay-per-view figures in the United States will be right there. What we intend to do in Las Vegas at the Venetian on fight week is we are going to have all the radio remotes there. We are bringing in top fighters to talk to the radios there. We are going to do all the things at the Venetian in Las Vegas as if the fight was at the Venetian in Las Vegas.

The last time you faced a southpaw was when you were 19…

BRANDON RIOS: I guess there hasn’t been a tough enough opponent for me to fight. But fighting a southpaw is OK. It’s something different and maybe I need something different. I look at a right-handed fighter then I look at a left-handed fighter, and it’s even better.

How do you feel about those in the media not giving you a chance?

BRANDON RIOS: It’s OK – everybody looks at me as a punching bag. But that’s all right, Robert and I are going in with a great game plan and we are going to shock the world and show them what kind of a fighter I am. We are just ready, man. To be honest with you, I don’t care what people think, if I have a chance or not. I am just going to prove everybody wrong. And that’s good; they are not giving me credit. That makes me train harder and gives me the drive to show them and shut them up.

Do you enjoy being and underdog?

BRANDON RIOS: I love it. I love it when they doubt me and I can prove them wrong. I proved them wrong against Peterson. I did it again against Acosta. I did it with Antillon and I did it with Alvarado. So I’ll be ready.

The fight is billed Pacquiao-Rios. How do you feel about that? Do you feel as if you are the opponent?

BRANDON RIOS: Well, it is Pacquiao versus Rios so no one is giving me a chance. Everybody is overlooking me. I just want to show the world that, hey, he is in there with a live dog. He is not in there with a little puppy. He is in there with a live dog. I am going to show the world that he belongs with the best; he wants to fight the best. This is the guy that has heart and balls that gives everything in the ring, that’s what he wants.

What gives you that perception?

BRANDON RIOS: There is a lot of it man. I have read articles. I don’t need to go out there and keep saying it. The people that ’know boxing.’ Everybody is out there saying it. But that’s OK. I am going to go out there and shut everybody up.

There is also the perception that you were picked by Pacquiao because you won’t box and that you are smaller…

BRANDON RIOS: I am not smaller. At the press conference I believe he was smaller than me so I am not the smaller guy here. If you say that, your eyes are deceiving you because I am not smaller than Pacquiao, Pacquiao is smaller than me.

BOB ARUM: That is a good point that Brandon raises. Pacquiao is a much smaller guy. Brandon towers over Pacquiao; Brandon is much taller than Pacquiao. As far as the weight is concerned, that is one of Freddie’s biggest problems. Manny is working so hard and he is so light that he is going back is eating five meals a day in order to keep his weight. In other words, now he is probably five pounds under the welterweight limit.

So you think Brandon is probably the bigger guy?

BOB ARUM: I don’t think, I know. He is much bigger than Pacquiao. He is taller, his reach is longer and probably today he weighs more, probably ten pounds more than Msnny, right Brandon? You are probably about 152 today?

BRANDON RIOS: Yup.

BOB ARUM: And Manny was 142 when I left him in General Santos City.

What kind of fight do you plan to bring to Manny? He prefers a guy to stand in there with him…

ROBERT GARCIA: I think if we were getting ready to outbox Manny it would be trying. Everybody knows how Brandon fights and nothing is going to change Brandon. That’s what we are going to do. We are going to try to make it into a brawl. That’s the only way Brandon fights and that’s the only way Brandon knows how to fight so there is nothing else we can do. That’s what we have to do.

BRANDON RIOS: You heard it from Robert and he’s the man training me so I’ve go to go with Robert. I have to stick with what Robert says and that’s what’s going to happen.

If you’re not a puppy, what kind of dog are you?

BRANDON RIOS: I am a Pit Bull mixed with a Great Dane, mixed with a Rottweiler, mixed with a Bull Terrier, mixed with everything. That’s what kind of dog I am.

How long has Pacquiao been on your radar? Three years ago you were fighting for a lightweight title when Margarito was fighting Pacquiao…

BRANDON RIOS: He hasn’t been on the radar that long. At that time I wasn’t ready for this type of fight, really. I think Robert has got me to the point where I need to be and he feels that I’ve grown. Cameron Dunkin feels that I’ve grown so I can compete at this level now. I feel like I can compete at this level now. Now I am ready for these types of fights.

Do you feel a rematch with Alvarado is in your future?

BRANDON RIOS: This is what I say and I always tell this to everybody. There is only one guy on my mind right now and that’s Manny Pacquiao. There is only one guy that’s going to be on my mind and that’s Manny Pacquiao. I can’t overlook any opponent because all fighters are dangerous. Every fighter is dangerous. I only look at one opponent at a time and that’s many Pacquiao. After the fight I will sit down with Cameron Dunkin and Robert and go over some great options for me.

Do you feel drug testing will be part of your future fights?

BRANDON RIOS: I’m a clean fighter and I don’t really need drug testing. They said they wanted drug testing for this fight so why not? I didn’t ask for it. If they want drug testing, that’s OK. It’s not like I’m not going to fight him. I’m a clean fighter like I said. If they’re not clean, that’s OK. I am just worried about my camp and what we do and that’s it.

BRANDON RIOS: I feel good and I’m ready to fight Pacquiao. Everything in the gym with Robert is going great and Robert is training me real hard and I’ll be ready.

Will having Alex Ariza in the corner have an effect on the fight?

ROBERT GARCIA: Ariza is not in the corner. Ariza is working with Brandon but not in the corner. In the corner will be my dad, Dr. Anderson and myself. The fact that he worked with Pacquiao before does not mean we are taking advantage or asking any questions about Pacquiao. Ariza doesn’t ever say anything to me about Pacquiao or what we should do against Pacquiao. I don’t ask questions and he doesn’t tell me anything. He’s just doing his job like he never worked with Pacquiao.

How has Ariza impacted the camp:

BRANDON RIOS: I’m already a physically strong guy, but Ariza’s got some good work ethics. He’s making me faster. He’s making me more light on my feet. He’s been great and been working very well, like Robert said. There has not been one mention of what Pacquiao does wrong or anything like that. We don’t need any of that stuff. We just do hard work and get the job done. That’s what we do. Ariza is great at what he does and we have a great workout. Mikey’s using him and I’m using him and we see great results.

Which Pacquiao are you preparing for?

BRANDON RIOS: I’m ready for the Pacquiao that was dominating the game. That’s the guy I’m ready for. I am not looking at his last fight when he got knocked out by Márquez. That could happen to anybody – that could happen to me. We cannot go in thinking Pacquiao is done, he’s old. I’m not looking at that. I’m looking at the Pacquiao that was dominating the game. I’m getting in the best shape I can get and I’ll be ready mentally and physically for this fight. And if he looks old? Great – that gives me more time to warm up. If he’s at his best? Great – then I have to warm up faster.

BOB ARUM: I want to thank everybody for being on the call. I’m glad you mentioned this great triple-header we have on November 9 – Robert’s brother, Mikey Garcia challenges for the 130-pound title against Rocky Martinez; Nonito Donaire in a grudge rematch with Vic Darchinyan; and former U.S. Olympians Vanes Martirosyan against Demetrius Andrade for the junior middleweight title – it’s a terrific offering on HBO. These fighters, both Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios have really been training hard for this fight and I want to address one question – the idea of them fighting in the morning. Remember, on the greatest fights I ever saw took place thirty-eight years ago, in Manila, in the morning, at the same time, when Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali went at it in one of the great heavyweight, one of the great fights, in boxing. I expect a great fight here in the morning in Macau and live Saturday evening, usual time [9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT], in Las Vegas.

BOB ARUM: Let me say this: people say ‘fighting in the morning, how unusual.’ Yea, it’s unusual, but ask your self, when do you have the most energy or the most strength? Is it in the morning? Or is it in the evening? Most people will say it’s in the morning. So that’s why I expect an even greater battle than if the fight was taking place at the usual time in the evening.

BRANDON RIOS: My friend has something to say [impersonates Kevin Hart]: Yea! Yea! Getting ready for Macau baby! Yea!

BRANDON RIOS: It’s going to be a great fight and it’s going to be a great fight for everybody around the world. You’re going to see two warriors go at it and they really do go at it. I want to say thanks for everyone that believes in me.

******************

Former world champion BRANDON “Bam Bam” RIOS (31-1-1, 22 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif., and reigning Trainer of the Year ROBERT GARCIA will host their only U.S. Media Workout This Thursday! October 31, at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy (1451 Pacific Ave., Oxnard, Calif. 93003), beginning at Noon PT.

KEVIN HART, who stars as a savvy boxing promoter in the upcoming Warner Bros. Pictures movie “Grudge Match,” will attend Media Day and will be available for interviews as will Hall of Fame promoter BOB ARUM. Interviews with Rios and Garcia will take place before the workout.

Rios is in deep training for his eagerly-anticipated welterweight collision with Fighter of the Decade, Congressman MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO (54-5-2, 38 KOs). Rios departs for Macau on November 11 to acclimate to the environment.

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

For Pacquiao, boxing’s only eight-division world champion, this marks the pound-for-pound box office monarch’s 2013 debut as well as his 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. once, in México in 2008 when he won a 10-round split decision over Ricardo Dominguez.

HBO Sports’ groundbreaking “24/7” reality franchise, which has captured 17 Sports Emmy® Awards, returns for its 18th boxing installment with 24/7 PACQUIAO/RIOS. The series debuts Saturday, Nov. 9, immediately following the Boxing After Dark tripleheader from Corpus Christi, TX. All new episodes premiere in prime time Saturday, Nov. 16 and Thursday, Nov. 21, just two days before the welterweight showdown in Macau.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo or facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, twitter.com/hboboxing and twitter.com/pacrios.

LONDON (29 Oct) – Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao’s return to the ring against the unyielding Brandon Rios on November 23rd will be brought to UK fight fans live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch.437/Virgin Ch.546).

The eagerly anticipated matchup which sees Pacquiao make his first return to the ring since his devastating knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez will pit him against one of boxing’s most relentless warriors in the shape of Rios, in a bout certain to produce fireworks.

The 12-round welterweight rumble, taking place at The Venetian’s CotaiArena in Macao, China represents a sink or swim matchup for both men who go into the fight with everything on the line as they look to bounce back in spectacular fashion following their recent defeats.

Despite his status as a global boxing icon and being regarded as the ‘Fighter of the Decade’, Pacquiao, will not have it all his own way when he steps in against a former world champion in Rios, famed for his never-say-die attitude and outspoken nature.

The clash will also see the WBO international welterweight title up for grabs, in the biggest fight in the world that weekend.

“Brandon Rios is the biggest test out there for me and I will be ready to meet the challenge,” said Pacquiao. “I have heard what Brandon has been saying. If he fights as well as he boasts it will be a great fight for us and the fans.”

“Out with the old, in with the new . . . and I’m the new! Manny, this is my time,” said Rios.

Jim McMunn, General Manager of BoxNation, said: “We are delighted to continue bringing British fight fans the best possible matchups out there. Anyone who knows boxing knows that this fight is going to be an explosive all-action affair, with two of the most exciting boxers in the sport today. It is such an intriguing fight as we all want to see if Pacquiao can throw his name back into the pound-for-pound mix or if a new superstar will be born in Rios. BoxNation is committed to deliver the best bouts out there at great value to our customers and it’s fantastic we have managed to secure yet another ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate in the form of Pacquiao-Rios.”

-Ends-
About BoxNation
BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated subscription boxing channel. For £10* a month and no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

BoxNation is proud to support Fight for Peace, a charity that uses boxing and martial arts combined with education and personal development to realise the potential of young people in communities that suffer from crime and violence. Buy LUTA (www.luta.co.uk) clothing and support Fight for Peace.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Khan vs Diaz and Mayweather vs Alvarez.

The channel is available on Sky (ch 437), Virgin (ch 546), online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android.

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

*Plus £10 one off registration fee for Sky TV and new Livesport.tv customers.

NEW YORK, Oct. 28, 2013 – HBO Sports’ groundbreaking “24/7” reality franchise, which has captured 17 Sports Emmy® Awards, returns in November for its 18th boxing installment with 24/7 PACQUIAO/RIOS, it was announced by Rick Bernstein, executive producer, HBO Sports. Debuting SATURDAY, NOV. 9 (12:15-12:45 a.m. ET/PT), the all-access series follows two elite fighters as they prepare for their intriguing welterweight showdown Nov. 23 from the Venetian Macao’s CotaiArena in Macau, China.
“The intensity and significance of the fight will be a great launching point for this all-new edition of ‘24/7’,” noted Bernstein. “We are eager to follow both teams, since there is so much new ground to cover, especially as both sides prepare for a fight taking place at an exciting international destination.”

Episodes two and three of 24/7 PACQUIAO/RIOS debut Saturday, Nov. 16 (9:30-10:00 p.m.) and Thursday, Nov. 21 (10:00-10:30 p.m.), with the finale premiering two nights before the high-stakes welterweight bout. All 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/RIOS will provide exclusive behind-the-scenes access, along with in-depth interviews, as the fighters prepare for their highly anticipated meeting.

Born amid poverty in the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 KOs), 34, has conquered every barrier to become a worldwide star, capturing world titles in eight different weight divisions. He is the lone congressional representative from the Sarangani province of his homeland, winning reelection to a second term earlier this year. Now, Pacquiao is determined to overcome the setbacks he experienced in 2012, while rising star Brandon Rios (31-1-1, 22 KOs), 27, is battle-tested and fearless.

Making his eighth “24/7” appearance, Pacquiao is expected to surround himself with a trusted contingent of family and friends as he works primarily in the Philippines with longtime trainer Freddie Roach. In his “24/7” debut, Rios will be trained by longtime trainer Robert Garcia in the burgeoning boxing market of Oxnard, Cal.

24/7 PACQUIAO/RIOS is the latest installment of the acclaimed franchise that began in 2007 and is the most-honored sports series on TV over the last six years, earning 17 Sports Emmys®. Last year’s “24/7 Pacquiao/Marquez 4” was recently recognized with the Sports Emmy® Award in the category of Outstanding Editing. The “24/7” franchise has now captured the Emmy® in the Outstanding Editing category five years in a row.
ESPN The Magazine called the series “a masterfully entertaining reality show.”
“Pacquiao vs. Rios” takes place at the Venetian Macao in Macau, China on Saturday, Nov. 23 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/RIOS is Rick Bernstein; senior producer, Dave Harmon; coordinating producer, Bentley Weiner; producers, Harley Glantz, George Jakovic and Abtin Motia; writer, Aaron Cohen. Liev Schreiber narrates.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, the November 23rd bout between Manny Pacquiao – Brandon Rios will have four undercard bouts as part of the Pay Per View Telecast.

Evgeny Gradovich will defend his IBF Featherweight title from the man he won it from Billy Dib. Chinese Olympic hero Zou Shiming will be on the card and just added will be undefeated Heavyweight Andy Ruiz taking on Tor Hamer and well as an appearance by super prospect Felix Verdejo.

“People opened their eyes there [in Macau] and in the U.S. when they saw Andy Ruiz against Hanks and realized that he can be a serious contender in the division in 2014,”, said Top Rank’s Carl Moretti. “He’s got the fastest hands I’ve seen in that division since [former titleholder] Michael Dokes, outside of Mike Tyson. And Andy is deceiving because when you see him physically, you don’t equate what you see to speed. But his power is from his speed and his legs, and he can box, too, so I love it.

“He’s not going to win a Mr. Universe contest, but he is going to win the heavyweight championship one day.

“There’s no question that next to Miguel Cotto, Verdejo is probably the most recognized [active] Puerto Rican fighter, even more so than established 10-round guys,” Moretti said. “Puerto Rico has always performed well when it comes to Manny’s pay-per-views, so putting Verdejo on the card just adds to it.”

“You’ll see Verdejo in with the same type of opponent as on the Cotto card, but the big pay-per-view platform will be a little bit different for him,” Moretti said. “But he was very excited when we told him we wanted him on the card in Macau. He’s really looking forward to it.”

“I think the winner of Gradovich-Dib is clearly in for a big fight next year,” Moretti said. “There are several fights they could fit into, be it against Nonito Donaire, [Vasyl] Lomachenko, Nicholas Walters in a unification fight or possibly [unified junior featherweight champion Guillermo] Rigondeaux moving up in weight if he beats Joseph Agbeko [on Dec. 7]. So there’s a lot on the line for these guys.”

October 24, 2013 – Fight fans eager for a unique inside look at the highly anticipated Nov. 23rd HBO Pay-Per-View® welterweight slugfest between worldwide superstar Manny Pacquiao and emerging star Brandon Rios should mark their calendars to catch an all-new edition of “Face Off,” starring the two prizefighters. “Face Off With Max Kellerman: Pacquiao/Rios” debuts Saturday, Nov. 2 at 12:15 a.m. (ET/PT) on HBO, immediately following a live HBO Boxing doubleheader.

Moderated by Max Kellerman, “Face Off” is an insightful and often gripping interview session in which the two fighters square off and answer Kellerman’s questions. The fighters also get the chance to address each other and their fans in this engaging format.

The Pacquiao/Rios extended version of “Face Off” is set to air multiple times on HBO and HBO2 (schedule below). “Face Off” will also be available on the HBO On Demand® service, HBO GO® and at www.hbo.com/boxing as well as various other new media platforms that distribute the program.

HBO air times include: Nov. 2 (12:15 a.m.), 5 (5:15 a.m.), 9 (9:15 a.m. & 3:35 a.m.), 13 (11:45 a.m. & 9:15 p.m.), 17 (11:45 a.m.) 19 (10:30 a.m. & 4:30 p.m.), 21 (1:30 p.m. & 12:00 a.m.), 22 (5:15 p.m.) & 23 (12:00 p.m.).

HBO2 air times include: Nov. 7 (10:25 a.m.), 11 (4:05 a.m.), 15 (10:15 p.m.), 20 (6:00 p.m. & 9:15 p.m.), 22 (3:05 p.m. & 11:00 p.m.), & 23 (1:25 p.m.).

All times are ET/PT.

Pacquiao vs. Rios takes place Saturday, Nov. 23 from the Venetian® Macao CotaiArena in Macau, China and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/ 6:00 p.m. PT.

Evgeny Gradovich will defend the IBF Featherweight title against the man he won it from in Billy Dib on November 23rd in Macao, China as part of the Manny Pacquiao – Brandon Rios card.

“Gradovich got rid of his mandatory in his last fight, he’s exciting to watch and we felt it was important to live up to the commitment to Dib for a rematch since he gave Gradovich the opportunity,” said Top Rank’s Todd duBoef said. “It was an excellent fight on ESPN2, so why not put this one on the Pacquiao-Rios show and then the winner can look at bigger matches in 2014.

“I’m excited to return to Macau to fight on the Pacquiao versus Rios card and I know I will fight even better this time,” Gradovich said. “I had very little time to train before fighting Dib the first time. I think it was just 29 days before the fight when we got the call. This time I have much more time to focus and technically be better in my performance against Dib.

“I’m extremely excited that the rematch has been made,” Dib said. “Our first battle was a good one. I feel I have developed into a more fan friendly fighter. Gradovich is a good fighter and I expect another all-out war with him. I look forward to recapturing the IBF championship and setting up a trilogy with Gradovich.

“The fact that the fight is on such a big stage is so exciting. Finally I feel that I have the chance to show the world that I can mix it with the best of them. I truly believe in my heart I’m winning this championship back.”

The August 9 edition of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra will feature Lightweights Rustam “The Mongoose” Nugaev (24-6, 14 KOs) and Jose “El Loco” Hernandez (14-6-1, 6 KOs) in the 10-round main event. Friday’s show from Morongo Casino Resort in Cabazon Calif., will air live at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN2, WatchESPN and broadband Spanish-language ESPN Deportes+. ESPN Deportes will televise Friday’s fights on Saturday, Aug. 10, at 6 p.m. The card is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions.

Commentators:
Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will be ringside describing the action for ESPN2, while studio host Todd Grisham (@GrishamESPN) will present all the latest boxing news and highlights. Alejandro Pombo, filling in for Delvin Rodriguez, will call the fights with Pablo Viruega for ESPN Deportes’ Viernes de Combates (Friday Night Fights) on both ESPN Deportes+ and ESPN Deportes, while Leopoldo Gonzalez and Claudia Trejos will anchor the studio. Bilingual reporter Bernardo Osuna (@osunaespn) will present live interviews and reports for both shows.

Pacquiao-Rios Interviews:
Both shows will include taped interviews with Manny Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 KOs) and Brandon Rios (31-1-1, 22 KOs). Both fighters visited ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., headquarters on Monday. While at ESPN they participated in an ESPN.com chat, interviewed with ESPN the Magazine, appeared on First Take and more. Photos

Rios and Pacquiao will meet in a 12-round Welterweight bout Saturday, Nov. 23, at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Arena in Macau, China. The fight will be available on HBO Pay-Per-View.

Main Event:
California’s Nugaev is coming off a fourth-round knockout win over Daniel Attah. In his previous fight he scored an eighth–round knockout win over previously undefeated Jonathan Maicelo. After that fight ESPN.com boxing writer Dan Rafael wrote: “Nugaev wound up scoring a highlight-reel upset knockout over Maicelo. Nugaev and Maicelo fought a good, competitive, toe-to-toe slugfest that came to an abrupt end when Nugaev caught Maicelo with a clean and powerful right hand that dropped him face-first before he rolled over on his back.”

Texas’ Hernandez is looking to build momentum following an eighth-round TKO win over previously undefeated Tony Luis.

“The first thing that comes to mind with this guy we’re fighting (Nugaev) is that he’s tough,” Hernandez’s trainer Richard Best said. “You can see in his fights that he tries to wear his opponents down with pressure. He’s a tall guy, and comes in forward. He’s not too technical, but we are not underestimating him.”

Co-Feature:
Friday’s 10-round co-feature will pit undefeated Jr. Lightweight Jose “The Sniper” Pedraza (13-0, 9 KOs) against California’s Gabriel “The Ghost” Tolmajyan (13-2-1, 3 KOs). Pedraza, a 2008 Olympian for Puerto Rico, scored a seventh-round TKO win over Sergio Villanueva in his last fight, while Tolmajyan is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Jorge Maysonet Jr.

Upcoming Schedule:

Date
Time (ET)
Main Event
Location

Networks
Fri., Aug 16
9 p.m.
Andrzej Fonfara (23-2, 13 KOs) vs. Gabriel Campillo (22-5-1, 9 KOs)—12 rounds, Light Heavyweights
U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago
ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN
Fri., Aug 23
9 p.m.
Argenis Méndez (21-2, 11 KOs) vs. Arash Usmanee (20-1, 10 KOs)—12 rounds, Jr. Lightweights
Turning Stone Casino, Verona, N.Y.
ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN
*Schedule subject to change

Follow ESPN’s Friday Night Fights on Twitter @ESPNFNF or like it on Facebook. Follow ESPN Deportes’ Viernes de Combates on Twitter @ESPNBoxeo. Also score the fights round-by-round with the “Live Friday Night Fights Facebook Voting App,” an application on the ESPN FNF Facebook page that allows viewers to score the fight round-by-round.

Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank

BEIJING (July 30, 2013) — Stop No. 2 on the Manny Pacquiao – Brandon Rios 23,722-mile international media tour to promote their historic 12-round welterweight rumble has landed them in Beijing. On Monday, Pacquiao, Rios and their respective trainers, Hall of Famer Freddie Roach and Trainer of the Year Robert Garcia, began the day with a little morning roadwork – approximately 3,000 steps worth — as they climbed a portion of the Great Wall, at Shuiguan, which was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and is famous for its precipitous cliffs and beautiful views.

Before embarking on the massive climb, Rios and Garcia ducked into a souvenir stand and emerged wearing cowboy hats. “The rancheros have hit Beijing,” exclaimed Rios to the delight of the hundreds of tourists visiting and the media covering.

Pacquiao and Rios, trailed by media crews and newly-made fans, began the steep and arduous climb of the Great Wall, a military structure that was built from the 3rd Century BC to the 17th Century. With a total length of more than 20,000 kilometers, it is the only work built by human hands on this planet that can be seen from the moon.

“I hadn’t planned on beginning training camp until August 12, but I think I began it today,” said Rios, who raced up a portion of the steps against Pacquiao.

“Now I know that I’ve got my work cut out for me after racing against Brandon up those steps,” said Pacquiao. “He’s already in good condition! This is my third visit to Beijing and it always seems so new to me. It’s a great cultural experience that is saturated in history.”

Following a festive traditional Chinese lunch, the duo made a stop at Tiananmen Square where they walked around the historic area snapping photos and signing autographs for fans who recognized them.

Today, beginning at Noon, Pacquiao, Rios, Roach, Garcia, Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum and Edward Tracy, President and CEO of Sands China Ltd, will host a news conference for national media at the Park Hyatt Beijing, followed by several hours of one-on-one interviews. Then it’s off to Shanghai for a Wednesday news conference at the Four Seasons.

QUOTABLES FROM THE NOTABLES:

Brandon Rios:
I can’t believe the beauty I have seen in Macau and Beijing. I have seen a life and culture I never imagined. It’s been an incredible experience for me. The media and the fans have been wonderful. I know I take a little getting used to but they seem to understand my sense of humor. I think some of them think I’m Chinese. The only other time I fought outside the U.S. was in Mexico back in 2008, against Ricardo Dominguez, and a lot of people thought I was Chinese there, too.

I want everyone in southern California to know that traffic on the 405 has nothing on Beijing’s rush hour.

I was surprised at how nervous I was before the first press conference in Macau. I don’t think the enormity and the significance of this event dawned on me until I walked out on the stage and saw hundreds of media there. All of a sudden I realized that I was headlining a major pay-per-view for the first time. It was emotional for me. But I’m over that now and I look forward to Beijing’s press conference today and the press conferences on the rest of the tour

My first impression of meeting Manny Pacquiao in Macau was that he was smaller than I thought he would be. I have an enormous amount of respect for him and what he has accomplished.

I will begin training camp on August 12 and work on conditioning and will start sparring right away. I love to kick off training camp with a 12-round sparring session within the first week or two to get me in the proper mindset. I will be sparring with a lot of southpaws in camp. It’s been a good while since I have fought one. I am looking forward to fighting at 147 pounds.

Manny makes a lot of mistakes and Robert and I will be working hard on making a plan to exploit them. I can’t let this opportunity slip through my fingers.

Manny Pacquiao:
I am very excited to be fighting in Macau. It’s a fertile market for boxing. New market and new people provide great exposure for boxing and it is a great way to increase the sport’s popularity globally. Hopefully this will help develop interest in boxing in mainland China. I think it’s good for boxing to have more good Asian boxers to turn pro. I think Macau can be a boxing capital of the world.

It will be nice to fight in a location where I will not have any jet lag. Macau and the Philippines share the same time zone and the same climate. No adjustments for me this time. Since Macau is only a 90-minute flight away from the Philippines, I expect a lo mre Filipinos to be in the arena for this fight.

I have seen Rios fight and I am confident that I will win the fight. One of my advantages is my experience against better opposition. I think the question that needs to be asked is, “Is Rios ready for me?”

Rios is an aggressive fighter. He likes to fight on the inside and toe-to-toe. He likes to fight, period. I am 100% confident of winning this fight. The fans will really enjoy the action.

I will begin three months of training in August when I return to the Philippines after the media tour. I’ll do six weeks of conditioning and building up my stamina, followed by a six-week training camp with Freddie Roach when he arrives in October. I’m 34 and I now need to train over a longer period. The focus of this camp will be on speed and footwork, which have been my advantages in previous successful fights. I’ll be more careful to avoid the careless error I made against Márquez.

I was in my best shape when I fought Márquez last December. I was winning the fight. I had taken control. But I got careless and made a mistake, being in the wrong place for him to land that final punch. But that’s boxing. That’s what makes it so exciting.

I am feeling a little pressure for this fight since I have lost my previous two. An impressive victory against Rios will raise my name again in boxing. My belief in God and training as hard as I can will help to relieve that pressure.

I need to prove I still can fight like the old Manny Pacquiao. I need to restore the public’s confidence in me and my abilities. It’s important that this be an impressive victory. I have already begun to visualize my fight with Rios.

*******************

Fighter of the Decade Congressman MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO and former world champion and reigning hellion BRANDON “Bam Bam” RIOS will battle each other in a 12-round welterweight rumble, Saturday, November 23, from The Venetian® Macao’s CotaiArena™, in Macao, China. Promoted by Top Rank® and Sands China Ltd., in association with MP Promotions and Tecate, Pacquiao vs. Rios will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

Remaining tickets, priced from $1,275 to $115, and various ticket-hotel packages at Sands China’s Cotai Strip Resorts Macao, are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.venetianmacao.com/manny.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com or www.hbo.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo or facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo or twitter.com/hboboxing.

The Pacquiao vs. Rios telecast, which begins at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT, will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 92 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry.

Entertainment at Sands China Ltd. Properties
Sands China Ltd. has as a clear vision to establish Macao as Asia’s top entertainment destination.

The 15,000-seat Cotai Arena is the only venue in Asia ranked in Pollstar’s Top 100 Worldwide Arena Venues based on ticket sales. It is the top entertainment destination in southern China, hosting the world’s and the region’s biggest names in music, sports and awards shows. Superstars frequently choose the venue as the starting point of their Asian tours.

The 1800-seat, multi-purpose Venetian Theatre is one of the most luxurious entertainment venues in greater China. Featuring ushers in black-tie, champagne service, gourmet food and beverage items and other unique, premium amenities, it offers an intimate, luxurious and exclusive venue experience. The Venetian Theatre is playing a key role in bringing the best in international and Chinese entertainment to Macao, with a luxury theatre experience like no other in the region.

The 650-seat Sands Macao Hotel theatre regularly features internationally-renowned singers, performers and artists of the highest calibre. From traditional Chinese-costumed dancers to modern performances, and from singing troupes to contemporary bands, everything from Western rock to Cantonese pop is covered.

With an unbeatable diversity, the entertainment offering of Sands China Ltd. is ushering in a new era of entertainment in Macao.

About The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel
Opened in 2007, The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel is Macao’s first integrated resort featuring stunning replicas of the famous canals and architectural icons of Venice, Italy. The Venetian Macao features 3,000 suites, 1.2 million square feet (111,000 square metres) of convention and meeting facilities as well as a 15,000-seat Cotai Arena designed for world-class sports events and electrifying entertainment. The Venetian Macao is also home to the unique, 1,800-seat luxury Venetian Theatre, hosting the best in international and Chinese entertainment; more than 30 renowned restaurants; MALO CLINIC Health & Wellness; the incredibly fun QUBE indoor playground and more than 300 retailers at Shoppes at Venetian. Outdoor recreation areas include swimming pools and cabanas and a mini-golf course.

For more information, please visit www.venetianmacao.com.

About Cotai Strip Resorts Macao – Macao’s Integrated Resort City
Sands China Ltd. is the leading developer, owner and operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The befittingly named Cotai Strip Resorts Macao, situated on reclaimed land between the islands of Coloane and Taipa, is the one destination that provides a stunning array of experiences at the heart of Cotai. Cotai Strip Resorts Macao has transformed a gaming-centric day-trip market into an integrated resort city and international hub for business and leisure travellers.

Pulsating with life, both night and day, Cotai Strip Resorts Macao features an expansive offering of affordable luxury available nowhere else in Macao, with approximately 9,000 hotel rooms and suites, international superstar live entertainment, duty-free shopping with 600 retailers offering an unparalleled array of name brands, 1.3 million square feet (120,000 square metres) of meeting and exhibition space for Asia’s leading conferences and exhibitions, gaming excitement, transportation offerings and well over 100 dining options, including international restaurants, bars and lounges. Cotai Strip Resorts Macao is a must-see destination providing every guest with an unforgettable experience and unparalleled excitement.

Comprised of the The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel; The Plaza™ Macao, featuring the Four Seasons Hotel Macao; and Sands® Cotai Central, featuring the world’s largest Conrad, Sheraton, and Holiday Inn hotels, Cotai Strip Resorts Macao is where Asia’s ultimate destination is all within reach.

Cotai Strip Resorts Macao….truly Macao Starts Here™. For more information, please visit http://en.cotaistrip.com/.

NEW YORK (July 27, 2013) — If Horace Greeley were a boxing promoter today he would undoubtedly be espousing, “Go East, young man.” And in boxing’s biggest demonstration of Manifist Destiny, Fighter of the Decade Congressman MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO and former world champion and reigning hellion BRANDON “Bam Bam” RIOS will battle each other in a 12-round welterweight rumble, Saturday, November 23, from The Venetian® Macao’s CotaiArena™, in Macao, China. Promoted by Top Rank® and Sands China Ltd., in association with MP Promotions and Tecate, Pacquiao vs. Rios will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets, priced from $1,275 to $115, and various ticket-hotel packages at Sands China’s Cotai Strip Resorts Macao, go on sale, This Monday! July 29, at 10:00 a.m. local time (Sunday, July 28, at 10:00 p.m. ET). Boxing fans can purchase tickets online and get complete information at www.venetianmacao.com/manny.

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’ only fight outside the U.S. was in México in 2008 when he won a 10-round split decision over Ricardo Dominguez.

“Brandon Rios is the biggest test out there for me and I will be ready to meet the challenge,” said Pacquiao. “I have heard what Brandon has been saying. If he fights as well as he boasts it will be a great fight for us and the fans.”

“Out with the old, in with the new . . . and I’m the new! Manny, this is my time,” said Rios.

“Big time boxing is being firmly established in China with a Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon Rios showdown at The Venetian Macao,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. “It is fitting that Asia’s most famous fighter will box in a big event in Macao. All fight fans are looking forward to an exciting bout between Manny against super fan-friendly Brandon Rios with his exciting, never quit style.”

“The Clash in Cotai, as we’ve dubbed this historic matchup, is going to be spectacular,” said Edward Tracy, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sands China Ltd. “It’s the latest example of the edge-of-your seat, high-octane event that Sands China is known for. It’s all part of our multi-tiered entertainment strategy of bringing the world’s biggest superstars of sport to Macao to display their skills at these must-see events.”

“Manny Pacquiao versus Brandon Rios is a terrific stylistic matchup that fight fans are going to be enormously excited about,” said Mark Taffet, senior vice president, HBO Pay-Per-View. “In addition to so much being on the line in this fight we have the compelling backstory of the event taking place at a glamorous international destination that will generate even more interest in the fight and establish that Saturday, Nov. 23 is going to be an extraordinary, can’t miss night in boxing history.”

Trained by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach, Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 KOs), the lone congressional representative from the Sarangani province in the Philippines (he was reelected to a second term, running unopposed this year), is the only fighter to win eight world titles in as many different weight divisions. A three-time Fighter of the Year and the Boxing Writers Association of America’s “Fighter of the Decade,” Pacquiao’s resumé features victories over future Hall of Famers, including Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Márquez. From 2008 to 2010, five of his seven victories were world title victories in five different weight classes, where he dethroned super featherweight champion Márquez, lightweight champion David Diaz, junior welterweight champion Hatton, welterweight champion Cotto, and he annihilated three-time world champion Antonio Margarito for the vacant super welterweight title. Pacquiao’s seven-year, 15-bout winning streak came to an end on June 9, 2012, when he lost his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown to undefeated WBO junior welterweight champion Timothy Bradley, Jr. via a controversial split decision. That was followed by a knockout loss to professional nemesis Márquez last December 8 — a fight Pacquiao was winning before he got careless trying to close the show and instead was stopped by the knockout punch of the year. No active boxer has sold more live tickets in the U.S. than Pacquiao, who is also credited with over eight million pay-per-view buys.

Rios (31-1-1, 22 KOs), the former World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight champion, from Oxnard, Calif., is on the hunt for his second world title in as many weight divisions. He enters this fight having won 11 of his previous 14 fights by knockout. One of boxing’s most exciting fighters, Rios is known for his all-action fan-friendly fighting style. His trainer, former International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior lightweight champion and 2012 Trainer of the Year Robert Garcia, calls it a “throwback” style with a warrior’s mentality that screams excitement. Highlight knockout victories on Rios’ resume include Miguel Acosta, Anthony Peterson, Urbano Antillon, John Murray and Mike Alvarado. Alvarado, the natural 140-pounder, entered that fight as the undefeated WBO No. 1 junior welterweight contender. Many consider it 2012’s Fight of the Year. In their exciting rematch, which took place on March 30, Rios lost a close decision for the vacant WBO interim junior welterweight title. It is considered the leading contender for the 2013 Fight of the Year. Rios enters this fight world-rated as the No. 1 contender.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com or www.hbo.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo or facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo or twitter.com/hboboxing.

The Pacquiao vs. Rios telecast, which begins at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT, will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 92 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry.

Entertainment at Sands China Ltd. Properties
Sands China Ltd. has as a clear vision to establish Macao as Asia’s top entertainment destination.

The 15,000-seat Cotai Arena is the only venue in Asia ranked in Pollstar’s Top 100 Worldwide Arena Venues based on ticket sales. It is the top entertainment destination in southern China, hosting the world’s and the region’s biggest names in music, sports and awards shows. Superstars frequently choose the venue as the starting point of their Asian tours.

The 1800-seat, multi-purpose Venetian Theatre is one of the most luxurious entertainment venues in greater China. Featuring ushers in black-tie, champagne service, gourmet food and beverage items and other unique, premium amenities, it offers an intimate, luxurious and exclusive venue experience. The Venetian Theatre is playing a key role in bringing the best in international and Chinese entertainment to Macao, with a luxury theatre experience like no other in the region.

The 650-seat Sands Macao Hotel theatre regularly features internationally-renowned singers, performers and artists of the highest calibre. From traditional Chinese-costumed dancers to modern performances, and from singing troupes to contemporary bands, everything from Western rock to Cantonese pop is covered.

With an unbeatable diversity, the entertainment offering of Sands China Ltd. is ushering in a new era of entertainment in Macao.

About The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel
Opened in 2007, The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel is Macao’s first integrated resort featuring stunning replicas of the famous canals and architectural icons of Venice, Italy. The Venetian Macao features 3,000 suites, 1.2 million square feet (111,000 square metres) of convention and meeting facilities as well as a 15,000-seat Cotai Arena designed for world-class sports events and electrifying entertainment. The Venetian Macao is also home to the unique, 1,800-seat luxury Venetian Theatre, hosting the best in international and Chinese entertainment; more than 30 renowned restaurants; MALO CLINIC Health & Wellness; the incredibly fun QUBE indoor playground and more than 300 retailers at Shoppes at Venetian. Outdoor recreation areas include swimming pools and cabanas and a mini-golf course.

For more information, please visit www.venetianmacao.com.

About Cotai Strip Resorts Macao – Macao’s Integrated Resort City
Sands China Ltd. is the leading developer, owner and operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The befittingly named Cotai Strip Resorts Macao, situated on reclaimed land between the islands of Coloane and Taipa, is the one destination that provides a stunning array of experiences at the heart of Cotai. Cotai Strip Resorts Macao has transformed a gaming-centric day-trip market into an integrated resort city and international hub for business and leisure travellers.

Pulsating with life, both night and day, Cotai Strip Resorts Macao features an expansive offering of affordable luxury available nowhere else in Macao, with approximately 9,000 hotel rooms and suites, international superstar live entertainment, duty-free shopping with 600 retailers offering an unparalleled array of name brands, 1.3 million square feet (120,000 square metres) of meeting and exhibition space for Asia’s leading conferences and exhibitions, gaming excitement, transportation offerings and well over 100 dining options, including international restaurants, bars and lounges. Cotai Strip Resorts Macao is a must-see destination providing every guest with an unforgettable experience and unparalleled excitement.

Comprised of the The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel; The Plaza™ Macao, featuring the Four Seasons Hotel Macao; and Sands® Cotai Central, featuring the world’s largest Conrad, Sheraton, and Holiday Inn hotels, Cotai Strip Resorts Macao is where Asia’s ultimate destination is all within reach.

Cotai Strip Resorts Macao….truly Macao Starts Here™. For more information, please visit http://en.cotaistrip.com/.

MACAO (June 25, 2013) – Tickets for the Saturday, July 27 Fists of Gold II event are on sale now. The exciting, multi-bout event at The Venetian® Macao’s CotaiArena™ features two-time Olympic gold medallist and three-time Amateur World Champion Zou Shiming returning to the ring in a flyweight matchup against Mexico’s Jesus Ortega. The spectacular fight card also features two world championship title fights – WBO/WBA flyweight champion Juan Estrada vs. Milan Melindo and IBF featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich vs. Mauricio Muñoz, plus undefeated Hong Kong super flyweight Rex “The Wonder Kid” Tso in his Macao debut. Watching all the action from ringside will be Fighter of the Decade Manny Pacquiao, boxing’s only eight-division world champion, and former world lightweight champion Brandon Rios.

Promoted by Top Rank® and Sands China Ltd., in association with Tecate, Fists of Gold II tickets are on sale now at all CotaiTicketing™* box offices.

The fantastic night of entertainment ahead is the latest world-class sports spectacular from Sands China. The integrated resort developer’s multi-tiered entertainment strategy is aimed at diversifying Macao’s tourism economy through the varied offerings of its Cotai Strip Resorts, contributing to the city’s development into one of Asia’s top entertainment hubs and a world centre of tourism and leisure. April’s Fists of Gold event was a sold-out crowd pleaser, and was televised internationally to more than 30 countries, including to the U.S. via HBO2® and in China on CCTV5.

Fists of Gold II will once again reunite broadcasting icons Tim Ryan and Larry Merchant and former two-time heavyweight champion George Foreman for the international telecast where they will be calling the action from ringside. HBO2 will televise Fists of Gold II the same day in the U.S., beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET/PT

Sure to make a big splash during the multi-bout night of action is the six-round super flyweight non-title matchup between Hong Kong’s Rex Tso (6-0, 4 KOs), who will risk his undefeated record when he takes on battle-tested Rusalee Samor (20-4-2, 9 KOs), from Pattani, Thailand. The 25-year-old Tso is one of Hong Kong’s most popular fighters and already world-rated No. 17 by the WBC, capturing the WBC Asia Council Continental super flyweight title last December when he knocked out the vastly more experienced Timur Shailezof in the 10th round. Tso successfully defended the title on May 28, in front of a frenzied crowd of Tso fans in Hong Kong, knocking out Wandee Singwancha in the fourth round. Samor, 29, is a former IBF Pan Pacific flyweight champion. He captured the title in 2011 via a 12-round decision victory over Ryan Tampus and successfully defended it four times during his one-year reign before losing it to Ryan Ponteras in December. He returned to the winner’s circle in his last fight, April 14, scoring an impressive fourth-round knockout of Louis Leomoli.

Zou (1-0), from Guizhou, and trained by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach, won his professional debut April 6, via a dominant four-round unanimous decision over gritty Eleazar Valenzuela of México. One of the most popular Olympic athletes in China, Zou was his nation’s first Olympic medallist in boxing as well as its first boxing gold medallist in the World Amateur Championships and the Olympics. He signed with Arum’s Top Rank at a press conference in Beijing in January.

Moving up to the flyweight division, Zou will be graduating to a six-round bout when he faces Jesus Ortega (3-1, 2 KOs) from Hermosillo, México. A stablemate of world flyweight champion Juan Estrada, the hard-hitting Ortega is an exciting prospect who enters this fight on a roll, having won his last two fights – his most recent a third-round knockout victory against Arcadio Sanchez April 19.

In addition to Zou’s return, the event line-up includes an undercard highlighted by two 12-round world championship fights. WBO/WBA flyweight champion Juan Estrada (23-2, 17 KOs), of Hermosillo, México, will make the first defence of the titles he won from Brian Viloria April 6 at Fists of Gold. Estrada faces the undefeated Milan Melindo (28-0, 11 KOs), of Manadue, Philippines. Melindo, the number one contender and mandatory challenger, earned his shot at the title by knocking out once-beaten Tommy Seran in the fourth round on the April 6 card in Macao. Undefeated IBF featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich (16-0, 8 KOs), a native of Russia, now fighting from Oxnard, Calif., makes his first title defence against No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger Mauricio Muñoz (26-3, 12 KOs), of San Juan, Argentina. Gradovich captured the world title March 1 when he dethroned defending champion Billy Dib via a split decision. Muñoz earned his title shot by defeating previously unbeaten contender Luis Franco in his last fight, October 13, 2012. The international telecast will open with a 10-round heavyweight rumble between undefeated contenders Andy Ruiz, Jr. (19-0, 13 KOs), of Mexicali, México, and Joe Hanks (21-0, 14 KOs), of Los Angeles.

The undercard also features undefeated Genesis Servania (21-0, 8 KOs), of Cebu City, Philippines, in an eight-round super bantamweight bout against Konosuke Tomiyama (23-5-1, 8 KOs), of Tokyo, Japan; Paul Fleming (18-0, 13 KOs), of Sydney, Australia, in an eight-round super featherweight bout against Chaiyong Sithsaithong (30-10-3, 21 KOs), of Sakon Nakhon, Thailand; and undefeated Dave Peñalosa (6-0, 4 KOs), from Cebu City, Philippines, in a four-round super bantamweight bout against Ngaotawan Sithsaithong (10-10-1, 5 KOs), of Bangkok, Thailand. Fleming and Peñalosa were both knockout victors at April’s Fists of Gold.

Ticket buyers to the mega-event have the option of purchasing the “Fists of Gold II” Package, starting at just HK$1,700**, to stay at the fabulous Cotai Strip Resorts on fight night – July 27, 2013 – and enjoy the following exclusive advantages:

· Two D Reserve tickets to Fists of Gold II
· Accommodation for two

Packages are also available with C Reserve, B Reserve or A Reserve tickets, ranging from HK$2,000-$3,000**, for stays at Holiday Inn Macao Cotai Central; Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central; or The Venetian Macao. Bookings are available now, on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability. To get more information, including full terms and conditions, visit www.venetianmacao.com/macau-shows/macau-events/zou-shiming-returning-to-macao/.

Tickets for the 5:30 p.m. July 27 Fists of Gold II event are on sale now at all CotaiTicketing box offices. They can be purchased in one of five categories: HKD/MOP 1,680 (Silver), 980 (A Reserve), 580 (B Reserve), 280 (C Reserve) and 80 (D Reserve). Packages with round trip Cotai Water Jet ferry tickets between Hong Kong and Macao are also available for HKD/MOP 1,768 (Silver), 1,068 (A Reserve), 668 (B Reserve) and 368 (C Reserve). Tickets can be booked online at www.CotaiTicketing.com, or by phone at +853 2882 8818 (Macao) / +852 6333 6660 (HK) / 4001 206 618 (China), and are also available at Tom Lee Outlets, K11 Select and through Hong Kong Ticketing (customer service fee applies), online at www.HKTicketing.com or by phone at +852 3128 8288.

# # #

About The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel
Opened in 2007, The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel is Macao’s first integrated resort featuring stunning replicas of the famous canals and architectural icons of Venice, Italy. The Venetian Macao features 3,000 suites, 1.2 million square feet (111,000 square metres) of convention and meeting facilities as well as a 15,000-seat CotaiArena™ designed for world-class sports events and electrifying entertainment. The Venetian Macao is also home to the unique, 1,800-seat luxury Venetian Theatre, hosting the best in international and Chinese entertainment; more than 30 renowned restaurants; MALO CLINIC Health & Wellness; the incredibly fun QUBE indoor playground and more than 300 retailers at Shoppes Grand Canal. Outdoor recreation areas include swimming pools and cabanas and a mini-golf course.

For more information, please visit www.venetianmacao.com.

About Cotai Strip Resorts Macao – Macao’s Integrated Resort City
Sands China Ltd. is the leading developer, owner and operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The befittingly named Cotai Strip Resorts Macao, situated on reclaimed land between the islands of Coloane and Taipa, is the one destination that provides a stunning array of experiences at the heart of Cotai. Cotai Strip Resorts Macao has transformed a gaming-centric day-trip market into an integrated resort city and international hub for business and leisure travellers.

Pulsating with life, both night and day, Cotai Strip Resorts Macao features an expansive offering of affordable luxury available nowhere else in Macao, with approximately 9,000 hotel rooms and suites, international superstar live entertainment, duty-free shopping with 600 retailers offering an unparalleled array of name brands, 1.3 million square feet (120,000 square metres) of meeting and exhibition space for Asia’s leading conferences and exhibitions, gaming excitement, transportation offerings and well over 100 dining options, including international restaurants, bars and lounges. Cotai Strip Resorts Macao is a must-see destination providing every guest with an unforgettable experience and unparalleled excitement.

Comprised of the The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel; The Plaza™ Macao, featuring the Four Seasons Hotel Macao; and Sands® Cotai Central, featuring the world’s largest Conrad, Sheraton, and Holiday Inn hotels, Cotai Strip Resorts Macao is where Asia’s ultimate destination is all within reach.

Cotai Strip Resorts Macao….truly Macao Starts Here™. For more information, please visit www.cotaistrip.com.mo/en/.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com reports that Manny Pacquiao will be back in the ring on November 24th when he takes on former Lightweight champion Brandon Rios in Macau, China.

“People know what Rios brings to the table,” said Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said. “People want to see a real fight, and that is what you get with Rios. We’re building a business in Macau and China and these are the kinds of fights — real action fights — that they want to see.”

“I think it’s a good match. People who watch boxing have differing views of the sport,” Arum said. “Some like to see an artistic performance like Floyd Mayweather gave [against Robert Guerrero on Saturday night] and other people like to see two guys knocking the s— out of each other. Me, I love a match when the guys go after each other and throw bombs. That’s my preference. It doesn’t mean it’s the right preference, but this is one of those kinds of fights.”

“The two fights with Alvarado were both very close fights and either guy could have won either fight,” said Pacquiao adviser Michael Koncz. “We looked at styles and Rios has the better style for Manny. He’ll come forward and throw a lot of punches. Whether it goes five rounds or 12 rounds, it is going to be entertaining for the fans, and that is what Manny wants. Rios was Manny’s choice after Marquez and [Timothy] Bradley turned it down.”

“Manny is definitely going to get his mojo back with this fight,” said Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach told ESPN.com. “Brandon Rios likes to fight in the pocket and exchange, and Manny is very good in the pocket, too. I think it’ll be an exciting fight but that Manny is going to land in the pocket at some point and knock this guy out somewhere along the way. Rios likes to exchange and his style is not really difficult to figure out, so Manny’s gonna hit him.”

“After Marquez and Bradley turned down our offers, Rios was next in line and he took the fight,” Koncz said. “Manny is happy to get back in the ring, so he’s looking forward to this, but right now his major focus is on politics.

Said Arum, “Bradley and Marquez preferred to fight each other and they didn’t really want to go to Asia. The only one that benefits from the fight being outside the U.S. is Pacquiao because an American like Bradley still has to pay taxes in the U.S., and for Marquez [he] still has to pay taxes in Mexico, where the rate is about the same as in the U.S. For Pacquiao, it’s a big deal because the tax rates in the Philippines are much lower.”

“What’s gonna happen with this fight and event will be monumental from the standpoint of economics in boxing,” Arum said. “We have a whole program of how to market pay-per-view in China, and we’re gonna go on a barnstorming tour of China. In the United States, we market essentially only through cable and satellite systems, but in China, where they have about 1.4 billion people, it’s all on the Internet, on iPhones, iPads and computers. If this thing works like we expect that it will, the boxing business will never be the same.”