Former world champion boxer Manny Pacquiao has been dropped by his longtime sponsor Nike following comments in which he compared homosexual couples to animals.
The 37-year-old, who is running for a senate seat in his native Phillipines, 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.We no longer have a relationship with Manny Pacquiao.”
The global manufacturing company used their statement of announcing their split with Pacquiao to further throw their support behind the LGBT community and to oppose discrimination of any kind.
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.
