Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Though criticism has come in heaps, Manny Pacquiao is not backing down from his anti-gay stance.
After being dropped by Nike on Wednesday, Pacquiao took to Instagram on Thursday to reaffirm his position by posting a strong bible verse.
ABS CBN News captured a screenshot of Pacquiao’s post, which was taken down shortly after.
“If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads,” states Leviticus 20:13.
After posting the news of Nike dropping Pacquiao on our Twitter and Instagram pages, the response from fight fans seemed to be mixed.
Some fans claim that Pacquiao is in his right to detest homosexuality, while others believe he should apologize and that Nike did the right thing.
After deleting the post, Pacquiao put up a video of training, which is likely what Top Rank and Bob Arum would like him to focus on.
Pacquiao’s comments were publicly criticized by Bob Arum as well as Jason Collins and Earvin “Magic” Johnson.
I applaud Nike for terminating Manny Pacquiao's contract after his derogatory statements that gay people are worse than animals.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 18, 2016
Fans of all walks of life including gay fans supported May/Pac fight putting $100M in his pocket. I guess to him their money is still green.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 18, 2016
I won't be watching another one of Manny Pacquiao's fights.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 18, 2016
Pacquiao faces Timothy Bradley on April 9 in what is supposed to be the Filipino’s final fight. The fight will air live on HBO pay-per-view.
