NEW YORK– HBO Sports’ groundbreaking “24/7” reality franchise, which has captured 12 Sports Emmy® Awards, returns in October for its ninth boxing installment with 24/7 PACQUIAO/MARGARITO, an all-new four-episode, all-access series, it was announced today by Ross Greenburg, president, HBO Sports. Debuting SATURDAY, OCT. 23 (10:30-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), the series will follow two elite fighters at different stages – the brilliant Manny Pacquiao, in the prime of his record-setting career, and the reinstated Antonio Margarito, looking for redemption following his involvement in an attempted “loaded gloves” incident – as they prepare for their Nov. 13 pay-per-view showdown at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Tex.

Noted Greenburg, “ ‘24/7’ excels when there is great drama and this fight has it. Manny Pacquiao continues to conquer new challenges in the ring and in his life, while Antonio Margarito returns to the ring having been through a very controversial episode that polarized many in the boxing community. ‘24/7’ will examine all aspects of what has taken place since the night Antonio Margarito fought Shane Mosley. We will chronicle the suspension handed down to Margarito and the subsequent reinstatement process.”

Episodes two and three of 24/7 PACQUIAO/MARGARITO debut on subsequent Saturdays – Oct. 30 (10:00-10:30 p.m.) and Nov. 6 (10:45-11:15 p.m.) – while the finale debuts Friday, Nov. 12 (9:30-10:00 p.m.), the night before the intriguing showdown. All four episodes will have multiple replay dates on HBO, and the series will also be available on HBO On Demand.

24/7 PACQUIAO/MARGARITO will provide exclusive behind-the-scenes access, along with in-depth interviews, as the fighters prepare for their showdown. The low-key Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs), who has grown into a worldwide superstar, hails from the Philippines, where he is a cherished icon and was recently elected to Congress. Margarito’s (38-6, 27 KOs) climb to boxing’s elite level is rooted in Tijuana, Mexico; he was among the most feared welterweights in the early part of this decade.

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

24/7 PACQUIAO/MARGARITO is the latest installment of the acclaimed “24/7” franchise that began in 2007. At the 2010 Sports Emmy® Awards, “24/7” was recognized with five Emmys® for production excellence and isthe most honored sports series on television over the past three years, earning 12 Sports Emmys®.

The St. Petersburg Times has noted, “The best sports reality show on television is HBO’s 24/7.”

On Saturday, Nov. 13 at 9:00 p.m. (ET)/6:00 p.m. (PT), HBO Pay-Per-View presents “Pacquiao vs. Margarito,” live from the spectacular Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Tex.