PHILIPPINES, MAY 5, 2011 – Just days before his defending his World Boxing Organization welterweight title, Manny Pacquiao shows that he isn’t pulling his punches.
On May 2, SportsBusiness Journal reported that the boxing champ has signed on to HP as global endorser. Initial reports mentioned HP’s “Everybody On” campaign, which is expected to be star-studded, as in HP’s previous “The Computer is Personal Again” campaign. It was later revealed that the sponsorship is for the tech company’s new tablet.
The amount that changed hands has not been disclosed, but according to Campaign Singapore, the deal brokered by promoter Top Rank is estimated at a cool $1 million annually. In true Pacquiao fashion, the fee will partly consist of donations to charity.
Pacquiao also recently signed on to a three-year $1-million contract to be the face of State Street Produce in the United States, according to the Manila Standard Today.
The Sarangani province congressman was last seen on U.S. screens in Nike’s “Boom” commercial, which showed snippets of his 2008 bout against David Diaz.
Pacquiao, one of the Philippines’ most popular product endorsers, has eight world titles in eight weight divisions. He is set to face Sugar Shane Mosley at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino on May 7 (May 8 in Manila).
[Update] The New York Times has reported Top Rank’s appointment of Lucia McKelvey as marketing manager handling Pacquiao’s endorsements, which have previously been brokered by various members of the boxer’s team. McKelvey estimates Pacquiao’s earning potential at $50-M.
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