Manny Pacquiao lost his Nike sponsorship over anti-gay remarks in February of this year (more on that here). Now, he’s found a new home. Here’s the information from ANTA.
In Las Vegas on November 2, a signing ceremony between ANTA, one of the leading sportswear brands in China, andManny Pacquiao, who has won world boxing titles in eight different weight categories, was held in Wynn Las Vegas. In addition to Pacquiao, Vegafria Arnold, Pacquiao’s manager, Zou Shiming, the Chinese boxing champion, and the senior management of ANTA Sports Products Limited, including Mr Ding Shizhong, CEO and Chairman of ANTA Group; James Zheng , President of ANTA; Major Zhu , Senior Brand & Marketing Director of ANTA and Mr Yang Chun, Sports Marketing Director of ANTA also joined the signing ceremony.
At the signing ceremony, ANTA officially announced the signing of Pacquiao and introduced the “FIGHT ON”-themed Pacquiao series. After signed Zou Shiming and Yang Lianhui, the two Chinese professional boxers, the signing of Pacquiao not only helps improve the brand influence of ANTA across the globe, but also helps strengthen the presence of ANTA in the training and boxing market.
Fight On, sporting prowesses ANTA and Pacquiao join hands together
Manny Pacquiao is one of the world’s best professional boxing champions and ANTA is one of the leading sportswear brands in China. The collaboration is a big news for both boxing, and the sports industry in general.
Pacquiao began professional boxing at 16 and during his legendary 21-year career he has won world boxing titles in eight different weight categories. Commenting on the signing of Pacquiao, Zheng Jie, president of ANTA, said, “Pacquiao is not only a great boxer, but he serves as a great role model for all sports enthusiasts. He is strict with his training routine and never gives up, which is in keeping with the brand spirit of ANTA. Furthermore, ANTA and Pacquiao are determined to inspire all customers to continue to ‘Fight On’.”
Pacquiao himself is also very excited about cooperating with ANTA. “Not only is it a leading brand in China, but it has a strong global influence,” he said. “I have followed ANTA’s development in boxing, and got more details from Zou Shiming. Undoubtedly ANTA is very professional in the research and development of boxing products as well as the promotion of boxing events. I am looking forward to advocating professional boxing with ANTA around the world.”
Pacquiao, ANTA Training‘s strong “engine”
The signing of Pacquiao is a symbol for ANTA to further step into the training market. Pacquiao will become the strong “engine” for growth for ANTA’s training series and the enhancement of the functionality of its boxing products. Training will become ANTA’s one of the key categories in addition to basketball and running.
In the basketball market, ANTA not only cooperates with the NBA, but also many NBA superstars, including Kevin Garnet and Klay Thompson, which is testament to the high manufacturing quality of ANTA’s basketball footwear.
Meanwhile, in the running market, ANTA collaborates with renowned ultra-marathon runner Chen Penbin, and has developed a series of professional running gear. InChina, training has become the most competitive market due to the increase in popularity of cross-training.
Seeing the tremendous opportunity for the training market, ANTA has been cooperating with domestic boxers, Zou Shiming and Yang Lianhui. The signing of top professional boxer Pacquiao will be ANTA’s latest initiative aiming to strengthen its presence in the training segment.
“Through tracking Pacquiao’s performance and serving Pacquiao during his competitions and training,” added Jie, “ANTA will enhance its professional training products, promote boxing and the spirit of ‘Fight On’, and introduce professional sporting gear to carry both training and boxing forward into the future.”
Source: PRN
You may not like him but Pacquiao does take his training regiment and diet very seriously
A little too late no? Didnt manny retire?
He unretired and is gonna fight in 2 days against Vargas.
It’s big for Anta.
I think that anta is growing pretty fast as a company.