Boxers on Beer Bottles, Corona, Tecate

By Bryanna Fissori

Every athletes dream is to someday see their face on the outside of a Wheaties box, but a Corona bottle just might be close enough to make due.

Starting in mid-August Corona is said to be planning to begin distribution of bottles with a new design consisting of some familiar faces. Miguel Cotto, Bernard Hopkins, Peter Quillin, Erik Morales, Abner Mares and Danny Garcia will now be appearing in 18 packs of 12oz bottles distributed across 32 states, primarily to areas with a large Hispanic demographic. Surveys show Corona as the preferred beer among Hispanics.

Crown Imports is the distributor for the beer line and earlier in the year they signed on as a sponsor for Golden Boy Promotions. The rumors of boxer-themed bottles began in February and seem to be regaining momentum as the release approaches. Another Mexican beer, Tecate, also used boxing as a promotional tool on a smaller market scale by offering $25 rebate coupons for certain Manny Pacquiao fights.

The emphasis of the Corona campaign is to reach the Hispanic market in time for Mexican Independence Day in September, even though only two of the six featured fighters are Mexican.

Boxing is considered a major sport in Mexico. The country is one of the top producers in the world as far as number of champions and high ranking competitors.