The Nike tagline for Manny Pacquiao’s new apparel has to do with the WBO welterweight champion’s ability to know what it takes to be a first-tier athlete. The hot-sellers are the latest Pacman T-shirts proclaiming, in bold letters, “Manny Knows Power” “Manny Knows Precision” and “Manny Knows Speed.” There’s also a T-shirt saying “Manny Knows Titles” that went on sale earlier this year, celebrating his feat of becoming the only fighter ever to capture eight world titles in eight different weight classes.
It’s now a tradition that whenever Pacquiao signs up for a fight, Nike rolls out a new line of apparel and shoes to commemorate the event. Obviously, every Pacquiao fight is a main event.
Pacquiao has been a Nike endorser since 2006 and is on his second multi-year contract with the world’s No. 1 sports apparel and footwear outfit that generates revenues of over $18 Billion a year. He’s not just a national or regional endorser. Pacquiao is a Nike global icon with the same star status as Roger Federer, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Nadal, LeBron James and Maria Sharapova. There’s no denying he deserves his place in the limelight.
In Pacquiao’s fight against Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas a few weeks ago, Top Rank listed the celebrities in attendance – actor Andre Royo, actor Armie Hammer, actor Christopher McDonald, comic actor Dave Chappelle, “How To Make It In America” creator Ian Edelman, actor Jeremy Piven, actor Michael Pena, producer Peter Sussman, actor Philip Winchester, songwriter Rodney (Darkchild) Jerkins, TV morning show host Star Jones, actor Steve Buscemi, English actor Stephen Moyer, Australian actor Sullivan Stapleton, “Sex and the City” and “The Sopranos” director Tim Van Patten and “Saturday Night Live” comedian Tracy Morgan. Also in the audience were baseball’s Jorge Cantu, football’s Willie McGinest and basketball’s Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Ron Artest, Reggie Miller and Jalen Rose. Ring legends Roy Jones Jr., Evander Holyfield, Julio Cesar Chavez, Marco Antonio Barrera and Mike Tyson checked in, too.
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Nike’s new line hit the stores in time for the third Marquez appointment and is called the “holiday” collection, featuring premium and durable fabrication, comfortable fit with distinct graphics.
The T-shirt styles include the “Manny Knows” series, the Destroyer, the MP logo, the King of the Ring, the Meteor and the Nike Values Manny. The T-shirts use dri-fit fabric to help wick sweat away (60 percent cotton, 40 percent polyester), a rib crew-neck with interior taping for durability and comfort and standard fit that’s not too loose but not too tight.
Then, there’s the Nike Rivalry Manny Pacquiao jacket featuring the MP logo in a lightweight layer with superior ventilation and signature in the typical Pacman style. It also uses dri-fit fabric and has a rib mock-neck zipping to the chin with mesh panels for breathability. The line has added training shorts called the Nike Fly Manny Pacquiao with sweat-wicking fabric, ergonomic seams and side pockets.
The shoe is a must for collectors. It’s the Nike Air TR 1.3 Max Breathe MP shoe with the fight date 11/12/11 above the toe box, the MP logo on the heel and a special graphic treatment on the sock liners. It was designed for Pacquiao’s training. The upper portion of the shoe combines ultra-strong and lightweight integrated mesh. The waffle outsole through the forefoot provides traction, durability and cushioning. Nike has so far produced at least 10 Pacquiao shoes dating back to the 2006 Nike Free 7.0 for the Erik Morales rubber match.
What makes the Pacquiao line distinctly credible is the champion uses the Nike apparel and shoes exclusively. Since Pacquiao was signed up by Nike, he hasn’t been beaten in the ring. That makes for a winning combination. Pacquiao has won 15 in a row since losing to Morales on points in 2005.
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“Nike is very proud of the success that Manny has had in boxing,” said Nike Philippines country marketing manager Mae Dichupa. “From experience, when we sell the Nike MP products, there’s a mix of collectors and just regular fans who want to wear the shoes and tees. Manny likes all the designs and wears them all. His tremendous boxing ability coupled with his immense passion and discipline for the sport epitomizes the essence of Nike’s ‘Just Do It’ spirit. Not only is he recognized internationally for his boxing prowess but he is also considered a modern-day hero of the Filipino people.”
Writing in Sports Illustrated, Chris Mannix said Pacquiao is on a roll. “He has made north of $120 Million in his career,” wrote Mannix. “He has numerous investments in the Philippines, from a chain of Jinkee’s Fashion World outlet stores to nightclubs to office buildings. He has broadened his relationship with Nike, become a spokesman for Hewlett Packard and is on the verge of signing endorsement deals with Monster energy drink and Hennessy that will pay him more than $2 Million per year. In nine years, Pacquiao will likely run for president. Today, he is focused on pleasing a crowd. Soon, it will be on securing his country’s future. ‘I was a boy with nothing,’ says Pacquiao. ‘I love boxing but it’s in my power to help my people. There is nothing I want more than that.’”
It looks like Pacquiao’s partners, particularly Nike, are in for the long haul because the future is wide open for Pacman.