HBO’s hype-building mini-series 24/7 is sports/”reality” show perfection. Usually. But something is missing from Pacquiao/Cotto 24/7. Maybe it the subtle humor, which we’ve seen in previous episodes. Like watching Floyd Mayweather, Sr. talk shit, or Manny and his big-ass entourage singing on a Magic Mic, or Oscar De La Hoya talking about how he’s gonna win. Or it could be the in-depth look at the trainer’s role – prevalent in Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7, but less so this time around. This one has the least Freddie Roach screen time, which he now shares with other entourage members (good look on giving Buboy a segment). HBO shifts gears again on Manny’s story, which has shifted in less than a year from Peasant-Hero-of-a-Third-World-Country to Celebrity-Actor-Athlete-With-Bickering-Assistants.

Glad they opened up the first episode with the aftermath of Typhoon Ondoy, but damn if it didn’t seem like they put it there to get it out of the way. Aside from the argument over relocating to Manila, it hasn’t been mentioned since. On top of that, the narrator keeps mispronouncing Baguio. Whatever, Pacquiao/Cotto 24/7 is more of the same lo’ shit. Little drama, lots of slow-mo punches, just two focused fighters. Family and friends getting looks is cool, but why are we hearing more from random entourage members than from the fighters themselves? That’s what’s missing. Too much “how” and not enough “why.” Too much about the business of boxing, not enough boxing itself.