According to Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum, Manny Pacquiao's longtime adviser Michael Koncz is "horrified" over the recent statements that were made by the Filipino star as it relates to homosexuals and same sex marriages.
The Bible-quoting Pacquiao, 37, has become an active Christian in recent years and has publicly declared his opposition to same-sex unions. When he was asked by a local TV network as a Senate candidate about his views on same-sex marriages, Pacquiao came under fire for his curt reply.
"It's just common sense," Pacquiao said in the remarks posted online by the TV5 network earlier this week. "Have you seen any animal having male-to-male or female-to-female relations?"
Animals, he said, were better because they recognize gender differences, and "if you have male-to-male or female-to-female (relationships), then people are worse than animals."
Clothing apparel giant Nike cut their ties with Pacquiao over the statements.
Pacquiao is currently in the Philippines where the boxer is training for his April 9th trilogy fight with Timothy Bradley.
Arum, who has other fighters with Nike sponsorships, was not surprised by their swift move to distance themselves from the boxer.
“I haven’t spoken to Manny,” Arum told The Philippines Star. “Michael Koncz is there. And Michael is just as horrified as me. When he (Pacquiao) comes to the United States (to train) he and I will sit down and we’re going to have a long talk.
“He (Pacquiao) insulted a big group of people. And Nike is a company that sells merchandise to all the people and why would they want to have somebody to endorse their product who has insulted their customers. It makes no sense."
