The controversy created by Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao isn’t going to disappear just yet, as giant network HBO – which is contracted to air what Pacquiao said will be his final career fight on April 9 against Timothy Bradley – distanced itself from the Filipino boxer’s controversial anti-LGBT “masahol pa sa hayop (worse than animals)” statements.
In a statement, HBO said that it “felt it important to leave no uncertainty about our position on Mr. Pacquiao’s recent comments toward the LGBTQ community. We consider them insensitive, offensive and deplorable.”
HBO added that it has been “a proud home to many LGBTQ stories and couldn’t approach this event without clearly voicing our opinion.”
The pay-per-view fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas will proceed, however, as “we have an obligation to both fighters,” HBO stated.
