Mike Tyson says ‘disrespectful’ Manny Pacquiao deserves Grove ban

MANILA, Philippines – After 8-division boxing champion Manny Pacquiao publicly defied his ban from The Grove in Los Angeles, California, former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson explicitly said that the Filipino boxer should not be allowed in the popular LA spot.

“You should be f-cking barred from The Grove” exclaimed Tyson in an interview with TMZ at LAX last week. 

Tyson’s animosity stems from Pacquiao’s previous comments saying that those who engage in same-sex marriage are worse than animals. Pacquiao’s statements led to him being dropped by apparel brand Nike, the loss of millions of dollars though other endorsements, and the ire of many irked citizens.

“Totally disrespectful of other people’s feelings,” was Tyson’s comment about Pacquiao’s view.

Rick Caruso, the owner of The Grove, told TMZ in March that mall management spotted Pacquiao at the mall not long after his comments went viral. 

“These are statements of hatred. A lot of people from the gay community come to The Grove and they have a right not to feel uncomfortable,” Caruso said, indicating he prefers Pacquiao not show up in the location.

However, the Filipino boxer openly defied that, saying “it’s a public place available for everybody.”

Pacquiao, who’s currently in Los Angeles, recently dodged an assault from an unknown assailant outside Kabuki restaurant.

He fights Timothy Bradley for the third time on April 9 in Las Vegas in what figures to be Pacquiao’s final bout. – Rappler.com