Pacquiao
Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao, who is running for Senator in the May 2016 national elections, speaks to supporters during the start of elections campaigning in Mandaluyong city, Metro Manila February 9, 2016. Reuters/Janis Alano

Sports apparel giant Under Armour has denied reports that they are trying to sign Manny Pacquiao after the Filipino boxing icon lost his sponsorship with Nike after making an anti-gay remark.

There were reports that Under Armour was the frontrunner to land Pacquiao in an endorsement deal after the former eight-division titlist got dropped by Nike after commenting that members of the LGBT community were “worse than animals”while discussing the same-sex marriage issue. However, the Baltimore-based company, popularised by NBA MVP Stephen Curry, denied the rumours, insisting they were “not in conversation with Manny Pacquiao,” reports TMZ Sports.

Pacquiao’s representatives also denied the rumours that linked the boxer-turned-politician to Under Armour after the Filipino was spotted sporting UA shoes while playing basketball in the Philippines. His endorsement manager Arnold Vegafria revealed to Spin News that they have not struck any deals on a potential Under Armour sponsorship for Pacquiao.

"We haven't struck a deal with Under Armour, although I can say we are already in the middle of negotiations with different sports apparel brands," Pacquiao's showbiz manager and endorsement agent Arnold Vegafria said.

Meanwhile, an eye problem has cancelled Pacquiao’s training in his hometown General Santos City, according to the Inquirer Sports. An eye irritation forced the 37-year-old to skip training on Thursday, but assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez assured the Filipino would get back to it as soon as possible.

“His left eye got irritated due to the rubbing of towel,” Fernandez said in native language. “It was like an ant’s bite. It became reddish and stingy whenever he closes it.”

Pacquiao’s minor setback has caused a very slight delay in the Filipino’s training schedule for his fight against Timothy Bradley on Apr. 9 in Las Vegas. But adviser Michael Koncz said that Pacquiao was still ahead of schedule, so a couple of days off from working out would not be a big issue.

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