Philippines, 03 Apr 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


MIKE FRIOLO: THE MAN WHO SET THE BAR FOR PACQUIAO NIKE DESIGNS -- PART II


PhilBoxing.com




This is a four-part article/interview on Mike Friolo, the Nike designer of Pacquiao's Nike brand. Click here to read Part I.

Oliver: I read that you had a collaboration with fellow Nike colleague Chris Harkness on the very first shoe (white/gold/red) that Nike released for Manny Pacquiao in May 2009. Those who follow you want to know if this was indeed the very first project you did for the Pacquiao brand? If not, then what was it?

Mike: The project wasn't all that big of a deal then since popular athletes were signed on a regular basis. I was briefed to work on a little branding and logo work, some shirts and some shorts. I became obsessed with the whole thing. The branding came first, the MP logo, then the Crest, the robe came later and then it snowballed after that. The more fights Pacquiao won, the greater demand there was for more gear, shoes, graphics and packaging.

I stepped into something that was so much bigger than myself and I also want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who worked with me on all the projects especially Chris Harkness for keeping it together. I had a term for it -- an ?extreme? endeavor -- for everyone involved. You have to understand that these projects transpired at short periods of time -- from 3 months to 6 months -- we were always under the gun. As everyone had other responsibilities and projects, no one was solely dedicated to the Pacquiao project since everyone had regular day jobs! It takes a small army to make things happen and this project was no exception. I was fortunate enough to be part of such an extraordinary team.?




Mike Friolo's crest studies on Nike's Pacquiao brand.

Oliver: How about Manny?s Official Crest, did you craft that too? What did those symbols stand for?

Mike: Pacquiao's crest is a visual representation of his life and Filipino culture. Many things inspired it and it is packed with icons and symbols which meant a lot to him and to all Filipinos. Everything in there had meaning and stories to tell. If I have learned anything from working at Nike, it may be their mantra of "craft a story, create the narrative." Become invested on it and people will appreciate that on all levels. In the end, I was surprised to learn things about myself and appreciate my own heritage even more. In a way, this project taught me something that I never expected about myself and what it means to be part of a culture. It was a humbling experience.

Oliver: Being the lead Nike designer then, I assume you had the chance to be introduced to the ?PacMan? himself, Manny Pacquiao? How was it like?

Mike: Yes, I have met him on a few occasions. It was great to collaborate with him and the team. His inputs were crucial to the final outcome of this project. He relayed some good ideas to me and my team and I felt that by him doing so, he has put his trust on me. I hope it was from me being a good designer and maybe a little of being Filipino.?

Oliver: Some sneaker forums claim that you were ?laid-off? in 2009 and was replaced by one of your Nike colleagues, hence the simple design prints in the succeeding Nike ?PacMan? apparels and shoes. I am cognizant of the truth that this topic is pretty sensitive but your followers were unanimous with only one query: How come a man doing a great job for the Pacquiao brand was suddenly out of the picture?

Mike: It is what it is. Many folks were let go that day and it didn't seem to matter what you worked on. Two weeks after I was let go, I was asked to work on designs for the Pacquiao-Cotto fight. To see the shift of the design work though has been interesting.

I can't say I love it. It feels like it has lost some of its focus and has been created for a wider audience which is great, but it should be a reminder to whom Pacquiao fights for --- for his family, for his countrymen and for all his fans all around the globe.

As many athletes become more successful in their careers, they lose sight of how they got there in the first place, and that's only my opinion. I'd like to see the designs come full circle and really represent Pacquiao. I guess that approach was what I injected into the project. For me, he was not just an athlete. I really dug onto his psyche and tried to balance what was right for him and Nike. To me, he should not be treated only as a commodity. Here was a man with a story to tell and embraced by his adoring fans who were as passionate as him.

CONTINUE READING ON PART III ...


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Oliver Iglesias.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • 5 Pinoy boxers to fight in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • Transatlantic Clash II - "Battle at the Bridge"
    , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • Marco “El Tiburón” Romero moving up to scheduled 6-round bout next
    , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • Filipino chess phenom wins at Spring Blitz Chess Championship in Dubai
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • Team USA Advances Two More Boxers to Medal Rounds at World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2025
    , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • IM Bagamasbad eyes GM title in Australian Chess Circuit
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • SAMPSON BOXING SIGNS TOP UNDEFEATED LIGHT FLYWEIGHT CONTENDER ERICK BADILLO TO CO-PROMOTIONAL CONTRACT
    , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • TURKISH KNOCKOUT ARTIST ELIF NUR TURHAN PENS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
    , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • The Past Week in Action 31 March 2025: Norman Stops Cuevas in 3; Mayer Outpoints Ryan; Zepeda Edges Farmer; Collazo Stops Cano; Yabuki KOs Ayala
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Wild and Wooly Wind-up Seen in West Top 3-6
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Rise of the Samurai: Inoue vs Nakatani in 2026
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Undefeated super middleweight prospect Tommy Hyde a true Irish Road Warrior In Australia for April 11th fight
    , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Melvin the Avenger
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • WORLD-RANKED LIGHTWEIGHT ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI TO FACE ALBERTO GUEVARA IN MAIN EVENT OF FISTS OF FURY 6
    , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Carlos Flowers Shines on Day One for Team USA in World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2025
    , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Tellez Sisters Reina and Gabriela Sign with Boxlab Promotions
    , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Arena Grand Master Mohamad Sacar sweeps 1st Vientiane Open FIDE Rated Standard Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Unbeaten junior middleweight prospect Anthony “ATV” Velazquez Ready to bust out of New England
    , Tue, 01 Apr 2025
  • BOOTS VS. STANIONIS – ‘MAKE THE DAYS COUNT’ PREMIERES NOW
    , Tue, 01 Apr 2025
  • “THE FILIPINO FLASH” NONITO DONAIRE TO MAKE FIRST VISIT TO CANASTOTA FOR 2025 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
    , Tue, 01 Apr 2025
  • Tokyo Olympian Rashida Ellis signs long term management contract with Trifon Petrov
    , Tue, 01 Apr 2025
  • Fightbook Adds Brendan Gibbons to Lead Athlete & Fan Activation Strategy
    , Tue, 01 Apr 2025
  • BOXLAB PROMOTIONS RETURNS TO ORLANDO FOR ACTION-PACKED FIGHT NIGHT ON APRIL 18
    , Tue, 01 Apr 2025
  • Takeaways From Last Weekend's Fights in Japan
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 31 Mar 2025
  • Lope Tenorio: El Bulakeño Matón (The Bulacan Brawler)
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 31 Mar 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.