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[Senketsu]

http://www.bbc.com/sport/boxing/35600341

Nike has terminated its relationship with Manny Pacquiao after the six-weight world champion described homosexuals as "worse than animals".

The 37-year-old, who is running for a senate seat in his native Philippines, later apologised for his comments.

"We find Manny Pacquiao's comments abhorrent," said a Nike 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."

The sportswear company added: "We no longer have a relationship with Manny Pacquiao."

Pacquiao's original remark was made in a television interview and he initially appeared unrepentant, writing on Instagram that he was "just telling the truth of what the Bible says".

However, he later wrote on Facebook he was "not condemning LGBT", while still voicing his opposition for gay marriage.

Pacquiao, whose last fight was a defeat by Floyd Mayweather in May, is due to fight American Timothy Bradley Jr in Las Vegas in April.

British world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury apologised in December for criticising homosexuality, as well as derogatory remarks he made about women.

But boxing promoter Frank Warren told BBC Radio 5 live that the sport did not have a problem with homophobia.

"No matter what walk of life you come from there are bigots," said Warren. "I don't think it's a problem for boxing. In Tyson Fury's case I hope it was something he said on the spur of the moment. He regrets it.

"You can't condemn all of sport because of people's stupid remarks. They are two boxers out of many thousands of boxers.

"Pacquiao's certainly lost any type of sponsorship. That's all finished. No-one's ever going to sponsor him again.

"The majority of the fans will be totally abhorred about what he said, but that is going be the test - how many people decide they want to watch him fight."

 

[Dash_Riprock]

Good.

 

[Ethelwulf]

Just do it.

 

[sub_o]

Good riddance.

 

[Alienous]

"Pacquiao's certainly lost any type of sponsorship. That's all finished. No-one's ever going to sponsor him again.

That made me smile.

 

[Harry Stewart]

Must be weird to have the sycophant bubble around him burst and be exposed to the outside world. I wonder if he's actually sorry or more confused like "I've been saying homophobic shit for years and now this happens?"

 

[Slayven]

Must be weird to have the sycophant bubble around him burst and be exposed to the outside world. I wonder if he's actually sorry or more confused like "I've been saying homophobic shit for years and now this happens?"

Being a god in your country has it's privileges.

 

[PeakPointMatrix]

I love how quickly things spread in today's world.

 

[Zero²]

Good

 

[Carcetti]

I wish I'd saved that JC Denton 'that's a shame' gif somewhere on my computer so I could post it now.

 

[Agent Gibbs]

Holy crap he said what? good freaking lord, no respect for him at all now

Does explain some facebook posts from very 'Christian' people on my facebook about supporting poor Manny in his time of need
guess its time for another facebook cull

 

[Ithil]

Well...bye.

 

[Cheetos is Pretty Awesome]

lmao. dude got hulk hogan'd. what an idiot

 

[Chuckie]

Good!

 

[gdt]

Damn that was fast.

Good on Nike.

 

[Lebron]

Manny got KO'd again

 

[Slayer-33]

Packiao'd

 

[Ushojax]

I love how he tried to spin "worse than animals" as somehow not being condemning. Is there anyone on earth who takes these forced apologies seriously?

 

[travisbickle]

Not surprised because Nike's always been about diversity, they allow 12 year old Vietnamese girls make their trainers.

 

[Exotoro]

Nice job Nike

 

[brawly]

Manny got KO'd again

Somone put a nike logo on there

 

[Rembrandt]

Not surprised because Nike's always been about diversity, they allow 12 year old Vietnamese girls make their trainers.

Eh.

Good, though. I doubt he cares that much, but it's still a good move.

 

[Saya]

Some reactions to this news are hilarious. "I will boycot all Nike products because they support LGBT" some people wrote on Facebook, a very LGBT supportive company.

 

[Familienoberhauptvogel]

But boxing promoter Frank Warren told BBC Radio 5 live that the sport did not have a problem with homophobia.

Good on Nike though.

 

[NHarmonic.]

One more reason Nike is my favorite sportswear company. Fuck Pacquiao.

 

[Black Republican]

im surprised it took this long, didnt they know years ago?

 

[Protome]

Not surprised because Nike's always been about diversity, they allow 12 year old Vietnamese girls make their trainers.

Really?

Spoiler

12 seems a little old for a Nike trainer maker.

 

[LOZLINK]

Good on Nike though.

Yeah I wouldn't exactly call that gif a display of homophobia.

 

[Frodo]

This one is better:

 

[Ikuu]

Good on Nike though.

They aren't boxers.

 

[Battersea Power Station]

im surprised it took this long, didnt they know years ago?

Yep, but now his career is almost over so Nike is not losing much.

 

[Familienoberhauptvogel]

They aren't boxers.

I know, MMA

This one is better:

Yeah like that one too.

Yeah I wouldn't exactly call that gif a display of homophobia.

It's just the hilarity that is prancing masculinity.

I like that kissing guy. Who is he? He's hot too.

Guys who are comfortable with their sexuality is so hot.

Alex Reid, also kicked his ass in the ring.

 

[Replicant]

Good on Nike though.

I like that kissing guy. Who is he? He's hot too.

Guys who are comfortable with their sexuality is so hot.

 

[shira]

Did whoever the hell sponsors Rajon Rondo drop Rajon Rondo?

http://fusion.net/story/245019/rajon-rondo-homophobic-slurs/

 

[TsunamiOfSwagger]

I like that kissing guy. Who is he? He's hot too.

Guys who are comfortable with their sexuality is so hot.

Alex Reid.

 

[Nicktendo86]

Funny how so many people who get punched in the head for a living come out with stupid, ridiculous stuff.

 

[Antiwhippy]

I like that kissing guy. Who is he? He's hot too.

Guys who are comfortable with their sexuality is so hot.

I really wouldn't call giving an unwanted surprise kiss as being comfortable with his own sexuality.

 

[Abstruse Moose]

Funny how so many people who get punched in the head for a living come out with stupid, ridiculous stuff.

You think his anti-gay views are because of blows to the head?

 

[Rktk]

Not surprised, that guy is now bad for business.

 

[Kiraly]

Good job by Nike.

 

[Nicktendo86]

You think his anti-gay views are because of blows to the head?

No, he is clearly just an idiot.

 

[NinjaMouse]

Funny how so many people who get punched in the head for a living come out with stupid, ridiculous stuff.

I'm pretty sure this has nothing to do with it. Growing up in a poor province in the Philippines as an uber-devout Catholic probably has everything to do with it. I mean, come on, he was raised around folks who cast hexes on his opponents during his matches. Did you really expect him to have a modern liberal view on any social issues?

 

[operon]

I'm pretty sure this has nothing to do with it. Growing up in a poor province in the Philippines as an uber-devout Catholic probably has everything to do with it. I mean, come on, he was raised around folks who cast hexes on his opponents during his matches. Did you really expect him to have a modern liberal view on any social issues?

he's an evangelical Christian now, we've cut our links with him as well

 

[Imp the Dimp]

He is terrible and I have no sympathy at all.

 

[Culex]

He's only sorry that the Nike money truck permanently drove away.

 

[Opus Angelorum]

Just do it.

They Just Did it.

 

[Boy Wander]

It's not surprising to me that someone devoutly religious expresses such views, even in this day and age.

 

[Froli]

From Manny Pacquaio's interview yesterday, he mentions that LGBT couples who performs sexual acts will go to hell. He also doesn't understand the meaning of Separation of church and state

 

[Savitar]

Tell Manny animals don't need shoe endorsements.

 

[Link]

I'm sure reactions to this news will be level-headed and well-reasoned.