Nike end Manny Pacquiao's contract following his comments about gay couples

Nike have terminated their contract with Manny Pacquiao after he claimed homosexuals are 'worse than animals'.

The 37-year-old Filipino fighter caused widespread outrage with his comments, made in a televised interview on Tuesday as he runs for a senate seat in his native Philippines

Nike released a statement on Wednesday night that read: "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."

Pacquiao, an eight-time world champion, who issued a weak apology that same day, is currently training for what is expected to be his retirement fight - against Timothy Bradley in April.