(CNN Philippines) — Looks like the fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. is getting all the hype it can get.
After Showtime recently announced that it will televise a documentary-style series entitled “Inside Mayweather vs. Pacquiao” leading up to the bout, HBO revealed its own plans on Tuesday (Wednesday PHT).
HBO will start airing “Mayweather/Pacquiao: At Last,” a one-hour special detailing the nearly six-year journey to the anticipated May 2 (May 3 PHT) Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao mega event, on April 18 (April 19 PHT).
Both HBO and Showtime agreed that they would produce their own programming series leading up to the much-awaited showdown that wouldn’t fall under their known franchise series, “24/7” for HBO and “All Access” for Showtime.
Liev Schreiber, the voice of HBO’s “24/7,” will be part of the series as a narrator, with Aaron Cohen serving as the writer.
“This is the mega-fight fans have been anticipating for many years, and we are thrilled to chronicle Manny Pacquiao’s path to this defining moment in his career,” said HBO Sports executive producer Rick Bernstein.
“This special will provide viewers with a narrative of how this fight came to be and spotlight Team Pacquiao’s preparations heading into the biggest challenge Manny has confronted in the ring. It will be a terrific primer for any viewer eager to go behind the scenes in the lead-up to May 2 (May 3 PHT).”
Related: Four Philippine channels to air Mayweather-Pacquiao megafight
The “Mayweather/Pacquiao: At Last” special will use new and archival material to look at what is expected to be the most lucrative fight in the sport’s history, according to HBO.
The network also said it will air a marathon of Pacquiao’s notable matches, beginning on the weekend of April 17 (April 18 PHT), as part of the buildup to the fight.
As of posting time, there is no official word if Solar Sports, the official broadcaster of the fight in the Philippines, will air the HBO series.
