Arum backs Nike, calls Pacquiao’s comments ‘reprehensible’

FILE — Top Rank promoter Bob Arum during the final press conference held at the KA Theatre in MGM Grand, Las Vegas Nevada on Wednesday, 29 April 2015. PHOTO BY REM ZAMORA

Bob Arum supported Nike’s decision of severing ties with Manny Pacquiao after the boxer compared gay people to animals.

Top Rank’s boss told TMZ the top sports brand’s actions were appropriate.

READ: Magic Johnson commends Nike for axing Pacquiao over gay slur

“I must say I agree with Nike,” Arum said. “They’re in the business of selling products and Manny’s remarks were offensive to many people, particularly to the gays and lesbians community.”

“Manny shouldn’t have said what he did and Nike acted appropriately.”

Nike has been in support equality, even releasing a “Be True” campaign when the United States Supreme Court allowed gay marriage.

READ: Gay boxer Orlando Cruz to Pacquiao: Get to know me as a human being

Pacquiao said those engaging in man-to-man and woman-to-woman relations are “worse than animals” in a comment which has caused public outrage especially among the LGBT community.

Arum pointed out Pacquiao’s religious beliefs are rooted in the Bible, which prohibits homosexuality. However, the Top Rank boss said that the world has changed since the writing of the Bible.

“Manny Pacquiao, is a Born Again Christian and people who adhere to that faith are people who believe in the word of the Bible and it is irrefutable that in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament there is prohibition among homosexuality,” Arum said.

READ: Nike axes Pacquiao over gay slurs – official

“That is the world thousands of years ago, we have evolved since then. In this country, praise God, the issue of same sex marriage has been resolved, people can choose the way they live and I applaud that.”

Arum, as per Ring TV, added Pacquiao’s comments are “reprehensible” and said that he is in support of same-sex marriage.

“I think it’s reprehensible. I’m in favor of same-sex marriage. I’m in favor 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.”