Boxer Manny Pacquiao has had his contract with Nike terminated after controversial statements about same sex marriages. The comments that lead to Nike sacking the boxer were made during a television interview in his home country the Philippines.
The 37-year-old, who is running for a senate seat in his native country, said: “It’s common sense. Will you see any animals where male is to male and female is to female?
“The animals are better. They know how to distinguish male from female.
“If we approve [of] male on male, female on female, then man is worse than animals.”
Pacquiao’s comments lead to backlash on social media and the former eight-division world champion posted the following on Twitter and Instagram in response to the uproar:
The apologies were not enough as Nike made the following statement last night: “We find Manny Pacquiao’s comments abhorrent. 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.”
Were Nike right to end their deal with Pacquiao? Does Pacquiao have the right to free speech?
Leave your opinion in the comment section below.