“24/7 Mayweather/Ortiz” premieres Aug. 27 on HBO

By Ryan Berenz

Gearing up for their Sept. 17 “Star Power” bout in Las Vegas, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Victor Ortiz are featured in a new edition of HBO’s 24/7 sports documentary series premiering Aug. 27 at 10pm ET/PT. Including behind-the-scenes access and in-depth interviews, viewers will follow Mayweather and Ortiz over four episodes as they train for and promote their Pay-Per-View fight. Subsequent episodes air Sept. 3 and 10, with the finale airing Sept. 16, the night before the fight. Press release from HBO Sports and more details after the jump.

HBO SPORTS’ 24/7 MAYWEATHER/ORTIZ, A FOUR-EPISODE, ALL-ACCESS SERIES LEADING UP TO THE PAY-PER-VIEW SHOWDOWN AT THE MGM GRAND IN LAS VEGAS, DEBUTS AUG. 27, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO

NEW YORK, June 28, 2011 – HBO Sports’ groundbreaking “24/7” reality franchise, which has captured 14 Sports Emmy® Awards, returns in August for its tenth boxing installment with 24/7 MAYWEATHER/ORTIZ, an all-new four-episode, all-access series, it was announced today by Ross Greenburg, president, HBO Sports.  Debuting SATURDAY, AUG. 27 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT), the series will follow two elite fighters in one of boxing’s most competitive divisions as they prepare for their intriguing pay-per-view showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sept. 17.

“ ‘24/7’ excels when there are great characters and compelling drama, and this fight has both,” noted Greenburg.  “The return of Floyd Mayweather, with his larger-than-life personality, and the odyssey of Victor Ortiz, with his inspiring tale of perseverance and achievement, provide the perfect backdrop for this new edition of ‘24/7.’ ”

Episodes two and three of 24/7 MAYWEATHER/ORTIZ debut on subsequent Saturdays – Sept. 3 (10:00-10:30 p.m.) and 10 (10:00-10:30 p.m.) – while the finale debuts Friday, Sept. 16 (9:00-9:30 p.m.), the night before the high-stakes welterweight bout.  All four episodes will have multiple replay dates on HBO, and the series will also be available on HBO On Demand® and HBO GO.

24/7 MAYWEATHER/ORTIZ will provide exclusive behind-the-scenes access, along with in-depth interviews, as the fighters prepare for their 147-pound world title fight.  A native of Grand Rapids, Mich., the talented and opinionated Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs) has evolved into a celebrated superstar, and now resides in Las Vegas.  Kansas native Victor Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KOs) survived a turbulent upbringing and currently lives in Oxnard, Cal.  He shocked the boxing world with a win over the previously undefeated Andre Berto on HBO last April, claiming a 147-pound title.

This fast-paced series will capture the interactions and rigors both men experience in preparing for their contest.  Making his fifth “24/7” appearance, Mayweather is expected to surround himself with a familiar contingent of family and friends as he trains with trusted longtime trainer and uncle Roger Mayweather.  Ortiz is making his “24/7” debut.

24/7 MAYWEATHER/ORTIZ is the latest installment of the acclaimed “24/7” franchise that began in 2007.  At the 2011 Sports Emmy® Awards, “24/7” was recognized with two Emmys® for production excellence and is the most honored sports series on television over the past four years, earning 14 Sports Emmys®.
The St. Petersburg Times has noted, “The best sports reality show on television is HBO’s ‘24/7.’ ”

On Saturday, Sept. 17 at 9:00 p.m. (ET)/6:00 p.m. (PT), HBO Pay-Per-View presents “Mayweather vs. Ortiz,” live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The executive producers of 24/7 MAYWEATHER/ORTIZ are Ross Greenburg and Rick Bernstein; senior producer, Dave Harmon; coordinating producers, Scott Boggins and Bentley Weiner; producer, Abtin Motia; writer, Aaron Cohen.  Liev Schreiber narrates.

About Ryan Berenz 2166 Articles
Member of the Television Critics Association. Charter member of the Ancient and Mystic Society of No Homers. Squire of the Ancient & Benevolent Order of the Lynx, Lodge 49, Long Beach, Calif. Costco Wholesale Gold Star Member since 2011.