Magic Johnson condemns Manny Pacquiao as former sponsors distance themselves

Ending his boxing career amid controversy. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) Manny Pacquiao is standing by his anti-gay comments, or at least the general outlines thereof, but others are coming forward to condemn the Filipino boxer’s views. On Wednesday, Nike dropped Pacquiao from it roster of athlete endorsers, a decision applauded by Magic Johnson. The former Los Angeles Lakers great took to Twitter, saying in a post, “I applaud Nike for terminating Manny Pacquiao’s contract after his derogatory statements that gay people are worse than animals.” Johnson added that “fans of all walks of life including gay fans supported” last year’s Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather fight, which became the most lucrative in boxing history, “putting $100M in his pocket.” Johnson said of Pacquiao, “I guess to him their money is still green.” Concluding his Twitter remarks, Johnson left things in no uncertain terms, writing, “I won’t be watching another one of Manny Pacquiao’s fights.” Pacquiao is set to fight Timothy Bradley for the third time in April, a bout that the 37-year-old boxing icon has said will be the final one of his career. Already a member of Congress in the Philippines, Pacquiao plans on running for a Senate seat, which would require his full-time attention, and possibly the presidency after that. Before getting dropped by Nike, Pacquiao had posted an apology for his comments on social media, saying, “I’m sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for those I’ve hurt. God bless!” However, he subsequently posted, then deleted, this Old Testament verse: “If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own hands.” Pacquiao went on to say that he is “happier” to be “telling the truth.” He added, “I am not condemning the LGBT. What I am condemning is the act.” In the Philippines, much of which has a conservatively Catholic culture and where Pacquiao is revered, his stance likely will not deter his political campaigns. However, it could well tarnish his legacy in boxing, this after he was cast as the “good guy” in his battle with the brash Mayweather, and it has resulted in backlash from the corporate world. In addition to Nike, which described Pacquiao’s comments as “abhorrent,” Wonderful Pistachios distanced itself from the fighter. The nut company, which used Pacquiao as an endorser as recently as 2015, had this to say to Ad Week: “Wonderful Pistachios is not currently affiliated with Manny Pacquiao nor do his views align with ours. Wonderful Pistachios stands firmly for diversity and equality and we proudly support marriage equality and inclusion around the world.” Another former corporate partner, Nestlé, made it clear (to Gay Star Business) that the company “is not a current sponsor of Manny Pacquiao.” Between his winnings and endorsements, the boxer has made untold millions over his career, so he can weather this storm financially, but his public image has suffered plenty of damage. What do you think about this? Whose side are you on..