This week, Filipino boxer and politician Manny Pacquiao went on a homophobic outburst on a Philippine television interview, but it has now cost him his Nike endorsement deal, as the sportswear giant has decided to cut ties with him. The 37-year-old conservative Christian politician who is currently running for a seat in the senate in the Philippines, said homosexuals were “worse than animals”, but has since apologized for his comments, after his initial reaffirmation when he wrote on Instagram that he was “just telling the truth of what the Bible says”.
“We find Manny Pacquiao’s comments abhorrent,” Nike said in a statement. “Nike strongly opposes discrimination of any kind and has a long history of supporting and standing up for the rights of the LGBT community. We no longer have a relationship with Manny Pacquiao”, the sportswear company added.
After being defeated by Floyd Mayweather in May 2015, Pacquiao is next due to face off with Timothy Bradley Jr. this April in Las Vegas.