HBO Releases First of Several Series on 24/7 Pacquiao vs. Hatton

by Troen Gonzales, Boxingbulletin.net

Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton opened up a whole new level of their personal lives and ongoing career moments to the hungry public when the boxing telecasting giant HBO released the first episode of its much-awaited 24/7 Pacquiao vs. Hatton documentary on April 11, Saturday.

For Pacquiao, the world’s pound-for-pound boxing champ, having an HBO crew filming his training regimen seems to be — in corporate lingo — in the ordinary course of business. The Pacman rubbed elbows with the HBO guys in the weeks leading up to his previous fistic exchange with the Golden Boy Oscar de la Hoya.

For the Hatton camp, the ongoing revelation must have dealt quite an adjustment for them. All that talk about his saddening loss to “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather Jr., that painful separation with long-time trainer Billy Graham, or the initial inelegance of the dialogues and bantering Hatton had with his trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. felt somewhat discomfiting. Especially when you get to shamelessly show the cheeks of your behind (and the lacy thongs in between) for all the public to see.

Still, the relational dynamics in both camps have bubbled up to the surface courtesy of HBO’s documenting prowess. The audio-visual narratives showcase the richness of their stories and experiences, only serving as irresistible appetizers for fans and luring even the most boxing-disinterested folks to the MGM Grand’s square canvas on May 2.