Popular sporting trends of the week: Manny Pacquiao fronts Nike training brand

The week's top five most popular sporting trends on March 16 as selected by Trendhunter.com include top boxer Manny Pacquiao's training shoes, protection for cyclists' feet and frames, and a news service that scours twitter for MMA headlines.

1) Box-branded kicks
Filipino WBO welterweight champion boxer Manny Pacquiao teamed up with footwear and sports equipment manufacturer Nike to reveal the Manny Pacquiao SC 2010 training shoe ahead of his mid-March title defense against Joshua Clottey, color themed after the Philippines flag, with Manny's personal crest on each shoe's tongue, and his nickname 'Pacman' across the heels.

2) Bridal baseball uniforms
Mexican photographer Ricardo Varela caught TrendHunter's eye when he tried something different with this gallery set in and around a baseball pitch, sports pavillion, and swimming pool. Yes, the bride is wearing a pair of Converse Chuck Taylors, but her groom isn't afraid to get in on the unconventional footwear action either.

3) Funky-Colored Bike Shoes
Puma extended their reputation in the realm of cyclists' sports fashion with the Cycling To Mars shoes, which have tuckaway laces, extensive use of rubber, and reflective panelling. Both the stiff sole and toughened toe are of further practical benefit, as are discreet metal loops which make it easy to hang them up to dry after a wet ride.

4) Social Media Martial Arts
KnuckBurger.com scours twitter, looking for the most popular links, fighters, and pictures linked to and twitted about on the subject of Mixed Martial Arts, a full-contact sport which continues to gain recognition among sports fans and broadcasters.

5) Inflatable Bike Protection
For those that simply must take their bicycles with them regardless of air fare, the Helium Bike Case by Biknd is here to help. Its inflatable panels keep wheels and frame separate during transportation, while there is also space to squeeze in a helmet, cycling shoes, and other utter essentials.