MANILA, Philippines – After Nike severed its ties with Manny Pacquiao due to his controversial comments on same-sex marriage, supporters have rooted for the boxing legend to sign with another major sports apparel brand.
Several edited photos of Pacquiao wearing Under Armour gear have circulated online in the wake of Nike’s termination of its relationship with the 37-year-old southpaw from General Santos City.
Pacquiao fanned the flames further by wearing a pair of red Stephen Curry Under Armour Anatomix Spawn shoes in a basketball pickup game on Sunday, February 21.
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Boxing’s only 8-division world champion uses basketball scrimmages as part of his training to condition his body for his upcoming bouts.
Pacquiao is known to be a big fan of Curry after he visited the Golden State Warriors’ headquarters in August 2014 and managed to play around on the team’s home floor.
Pacquiao's endorsement agent Arnold Vegafria confided to Rappler that they are in negotiations with two major sports and fitness clothing lines, but he was tight-lipped about the entities involved.
Under Armour has become a major player in the United States sportswear market after overtaking Adidas as the second largest retailer in the United States in 2014.
The Baltimore, Maryland-based company is highly regarded for its innovative products like the eminent Armour39, the game-changing Charged Cotton and the UA Coreshorts, among others.
Under Armour is endorsed by an all-star pool of athletes such as Curry, 4-time NFL Super Bowl champion Tom Brady and multi-titled Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps.
Pacquiao remains focused on his third ring encounter with Timothy Bradley Jr. on April 10 (April 9 in US) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. – Rappler.com