HBO denounces Pacquiao’s comments on gay marriage

BULACAN, Philippines – Home Box Office (HBO) will be airing Manny Pacquiao’s third ring encounter against Timothy Bradley Jr. on April 10 (April 9 in US) via pay-per-view, but the television network has made its stance known regarding the Filipino boxer’s controversial comments on gay marriage.

HBO released a statement on Thursday, March 3 (Manila time), denouncing Pacquiao’s remarks, calling them “insensitive, offensive and deplorable.”

Pacquiao, who is running for a seat in the Philippine Senate, described couples in same-sex marriage as “mas masahol pa sa hayop” (worse than animals) in a viral video by Bilang Pilipino before issuing a public apology.

“Next month Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley Jr. are scheduled to meet in a pay-per-view bout.  We have an obligation to both fighters and, therefore, will proceed to produce and distribute that event,” HBO said in a statement.

 “However, we felt it important to leave no uncertainty about our position on Mr. Pacquiao’s recent comments toward the LGBTQ community. We consider them insensitive, offensive and deplorable. HBO has been a proud home to many LGBTQ stories and couldn’t approach this event without clearly voicing our opinion.”

Pacquiao plans to call it a day regardless of the outcome in his rubber match against Bradley, which takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The 37-year-old Filipino boxing icon is preparing in his hometown of General Santos City and is set to leave the Philippines on or before March 15 with head trainer Freddie Roach to wrap up training camp at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles, California. – Rappler.com