Manny's stuff stirs market

MANILA, Philippines –  There’s new merchandise in Nike’s exclusive Manny Pacquiao apparel and footwear lines out in the market for fans to commemorate his fight against Antonio Margarito at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, this morning (Manila time).

Nike product director for athletic training Stephen Clifton and product director for footwear Zac Bromert worked with Pacquiao himself for 18 months to develop the latest designs. Clifton and Bromert even flew in from the Nike headquarters in Beaverton to soak in the Filipino mood in drawing inspiration for the collection.

What the Nike innovators came up with is a range of products that is uniquely different from other Pacquiao merchandise. A trademark is the superior storytelling that is featured in the three T-shirt, hoodie and two shoe designs.

The three dri-fit T-shirts represent aspects of Pacquiao’s personality and life. One design centers on “Respect” – it’s what the Filipino icon has earned in capturing seven world titles in seven weight divisions and it’s what he shows his opponents in the ring. The shirt will resonate with Filipino and Mexican fans alike who respect what Pacquiao has done in his fighting career and how he has treated his opponents off the ring. It’s a fitting tribute to the Mexecutioner who is out to add Margarito to his list of victims.

Another design is inspired by a Bruce Lee movie poster reflecting the epic nature of Pacquiao’s bouts and his superstar status. The third design shouts out “Boom” with a meteor print similar to the tattoo on Pacquiao’s left forearm, acknowledging his powerful punch. Pacquiao recently appeared in Nike’s “Boom” campaign. Each shirt is priced at P995 at select Nike stores nationwide.

The Nike KO hoodie comes in grey and red, showing the “MP” icon. It retails for P3,795.

As for the shoes, there are two distinct colorways – the black and red selling for P4,995 and the limited edition gold with only less than 400 pairs in the country for P5,895. The word “Team” appears on the left heel counter and “Pacquiao” on the right. The gold shoes are destined to be highly sought-after collectors’ items.

The black and red model incorporates the Pacquiao elements of a meteor print on the insole, representing speed, power and destruction – an appropriate metaphor on his left forearm where the tattoo is found. The red colorway honors the Philippines while the outsole and sheen symbolize the heat of a meteor as it enters the earth’s atmosphere.

The key features include flex grooves for multi-directional movement, delta node traction, contoured heel providing a softer heel strike landing and a smoother transition to the forefoot, “MP” icon on the heel counter, Max Air unit for impact protection, lightweight cushioning and durability, extended outrigger for lateral stability and full coverage toe rubber.

The gold version shows the seven stars on the left insole, representing Pacquiao’s seven world titles. The right insole reads “Manny ‘PacMan’ Pacquiao.” The left insole is red and the right insole is blue in honor of the Philippines. All members of Team Pacquiao and the champion himself wear this shoe whose other features are identical with the black and red model.

Pacquiao has been a Nike endorser since 2006 and is on his second contract with the brand acknowledged as “the world’s largest designer, marketer and distributor of athletic footwear, apparel and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities.”

Nike Philippines country marketing manager Mae Dichupa said, “We are very proud to support Manny in all his battles and feats – he embodies the good sportsmanship and athleticism that Nike athletes possess, we are committed to being a part of his battle from his rigid training to the actual fight in the ring.”

Pacquiao is listed by Forbes Magazine in the top 10 of the most influential athletes in the world. For the Margarito fight, he is guaranteed P17 Million and may earn up to $20 Million with his pay-per-view share.