WITH the Manny Pacquiao vs Timothy Bradley fight just a month away, HBO released a statement denouncing the controversial comments made by the champion Filipino boxer against same-sex marriages.
"Next month Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley Jr. are scheduled to meet in a pay-per-view bout. We have an obligation to both fighters and, therefore, will proceed to produce and distribute that event," HBO said in a statement released three weeks after Pacquiao issued the remarks that set off a hail of criticism.
"However, we 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.
"HBO has been a proud home to many LGBT stories and couldn't approach this event without clearly voicing our opinion."
The network has shown Pacquiao's fights since 2001, the latest being the third meeting with Bradley on April 9. The Sarangani congressman, who is running for a senate seat in the May national elections, said the fight could possibly be his last before retirement.
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