Tuesday 22 August 2017 11:32, UK
Manny Pacquiao has had his contract with sporting brand Nike terminated after he made homophobic comments on television in the Philippines.
The eight-weight world champion sparked outrage after saying gay people are "worse than animals" whilst on a television program broadcast by Filipino station TV5.
Pacquiao, who is currently running for a seat in the Philippines senate, later apologised for his remarks, posting a video message on his official Twitter page in which he also asked for forgiveness.
However, Nike have decided to terminate their long-standing relationship with Pacquiao, who had been a Nike athlete since 2006, in wake of his comments.
"We find Manny Pacquiao's comments abhorrent," a Nike statement released on Wednesday read.
"Nike strongly opposes discrimination of any kinds 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 37-year-old, who will fight for the final time against Timothy Bradley on April 9 in Las Vegas before retiring, had told TV5: "It's common sense. Do you see animals mating with the same sex?
"Animals are better because they can distinguish male from female. If men mate with men and women mate with women, they are worse than animals."
