Arum denounces Pacquiao’s ‘reprehensible’ gay comments

GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum says he finds the Filipino boxer’s comments about homosexuals “reprehensible” and that they do not reflect the views of Top Rank or the promotion for the April 9 fight between Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley Jr.

Pacquiao, an 8-division boxing champion and two-term congressman who is running for a seat in the Philippine Senate, sparked global ire after a viral video by Bilang Pilipino was released of him describing couples in same-sex marriage as “mas masahol pa sa hayop” (worse than animals).

“I think it’s reprehensible,” Arum told RingTV.com’s Mitch Abramson. “I’m in favor of same-sex marriage. I’m in favor of gay rights. A lot of my friends are gays, particularly in California and Hollywood, so it’s very offensive to them and that’s what I’m most concerned about.”

Pacquiao issued an apology shortly after but the damage has been done. Nike announced Thursday, February 18 that it was severing ties with Pacquiao, calling his comments “abhorrent.”

‘If (Pacquiao) believes it, it’s unfortunate but that’s his belief,” Arum said. “You can’t really affect somebody who is saying things that you don’t believe in but is part of their religious beliefs.” – Rappler.com