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, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Brandon”Bam Bam” Rios will battle each other in a 12-round welterweight rumble, Saturday, November 23, from Macao, China, live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.
Pacquiao vs. Rios 24/7 Episode 2 Video Preview
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.”
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.
