Bob Arum Comments on Manny Pacquiao's Claims About Gay Couples

Boxing promoter Bob Arum responded on Wednesday to Manny Pacquiao's comments on gay couples in which the boxer suggested to a local TV station they were "worse than animals."

“I think it’s reprehensible,” Arum told Mitch Abramson of RingTV.com. “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.”

Arum was also hoping boxing fans will distinguish Pacquiao's statements from his own beliefs or the beliefs of Timothy Bradley and his camp, as the two fighters near their third fight against one another on April 9.

"The only way you do damage control is he apologized and we move away from the possibility that anybody would think we or Bradley or anyone connected to the fight believes in what he did say,” Arum told Abramson. “And if (Pacquiao) believes it, it’s unfortunate but that’s his belief."    

The fallout has been severe since Pacquiao told the TV5 network (via Mike McPhate of the New York Times), “It’s common sense. Do you see animals mating with the same sex? Animals are better because they can distinguish male from female. If men mate with men and women mate with women, they are worse than animals.”

Pacquiao quickly took to social media to apologize, including this message on his Instagram account:

Pacquiao's statements have already cost him, however. On Wednesday, Nike ended its endorsement deal with the boxer, per Darren Rovell of ESPN.com. 

"We find Manny Pacquiao's comments abhorrent," Nike said in a statement, per Rovell. "Nike strongly opposes discrimination of any kind and has a long history of supporting and standing up for the rights of the LGBT community."

Arum said if he ran Nike, he "would fire [Pacquiao] too, per Rovell.

While it's possible that Pacquiao will continue to lose endorsements in light of his comments, Arum's primary concern is ensuring that people remain intrigued by the 37-year-old's fight with Bradley, possibly Pac-Man's final bout. 

“I’m putting a fight on,” Arum told Abramson. “I’m not promoting a politician.” 

You can follow Timothy Rapp on Twitter.