Nike cut ties with Manny Pacquiao over ‘abhorrent’ homophobic slur

Sportswear giant Nike has severed ties with multi-weight world champion Manny Pacquiao following a homophobic slur made by the Filipino earlier this week.

The 37-year-old, who takes on Tim Bradley in April in what is rumoured to be the final bout of an extraordinary professional career, provoked outrage when he described homosexuals as "worse than animals" in a television interview.

Pacquiao apologised for the comment on Facebook, saying he he was "not condemning LGBT", although he remained unequivocal in his stance against gay marriage.

His contrition has not pacified Nike, however, which has swiftly ended its relationship with Pacquiao, who prominently wore the company's logo on his trunks during his fights.

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

"We no longer have a relationship with Manny Pacquiao."