Top Welterweights Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios are scheduled to meet each other on Saturday for the start of the International Media Press Tour of their highly-anticipated slugfest on Nov. 23 at Venetian Macao in Macau, China.
Dubbed "the Clash in Cotai," the Pacquiao-Rios fight will mark the Filipino boxing champ's 2013 first fight since absorbing a humiliating six-round technical knockout loss at the hands of long time rival Juan Manuel Marquez last December.
The Pugilist Report indicated that the trainer of both fighters, Hall of Famer Freddie Roach and reigning Trainer of the Year Roberto Garcia, will join the Tour along with Top-Rank promoter Bob Arum and Sands China Ltd. CEO Edward Tracy.
The Tour will begin at Venetian Macao before heading to Beijing, Shanghai, and Singapore. The caravan will then hit the United States, starting with guest appearance in the headquarter of major cable network ESPN in Bristol, Conn. before hosting press conferences in New York and Los Angeles.
Top-Rank Boxing will serve as the chief promoter of the Pacquiao-Rios: The Clash in Cotai while Sands China Ltd will provide cheap pay-per-view streaming to China, which boasts the biggest market in the world with over 1 billion people.
PACQUIAO vs. RIOS: The Clash in Cotai - INTERNATIONAL MEDIA TOUR ITINERARY
(All Times are Local)
Saturday, July 27 at noon
Press Conference
The Venetian Macao – Venetian Ballrooms A – C
Monday, July 29
Fighters Tour Beijing
Tuesday, July 30 at 12:30 p.m.
Press Conference
Park Hyatt Beijing – Courtyard 1
Wednesday, July 31 at 12:30 p.m.
Press Conference
Four Seasons Shanghai – Ballroom 1
Saturday, Aug. 3
Private Event
Marina Bay Sands Singapore
MONDAY, AUGUST 5
Fighters Visit ESPN
ESPN Headquarters, Bristol, Conn.
Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 3:00 p.m. EST
New York Press Conference
Jong Fong Restaurant
20 Elizabeth St.
(South of Canal St., between Canal & Baynard Sts.)
New York, N.Y. 10013
Thursday, Aug. 8 at noon PST
Los Angeles Press Conference
The Beverly Hills Hotel – Crystal Ballroom
9641 Sunset Blvd.
Beverly Hills, Calif. 90210