Manny Pacquiao calls homosexuals 'worse than animals' in Timothy Bradley Jr fight build-up

Manny Pacquiao has apologised for his comments on homosexuals in an interview with Filipino broadcaster TV5. The boxer, known as "Pac Man", said: "It's common sense. Do you see animals mating with the same sex? Animals are better because they can distinguish male from female."

But Pacquiao, who fights American Timothy Bradley Jr in April in what is widely predicted to be the final fight in his illustrious career before he stands in May's the senate elections, has now backtracked on the controversial comments.

In a message on Twitter the former P4P champ said: "I'm sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for those I've hurt. God Bless!"

Pacquiao faces Bradley in a world welterweight championship bout at the MGM Grand Casino on April 9 in Las Vegas. It is set to be the final time fans will get to see the 37-year-old in the ring, following his loss last year to Floyd Mayweather.

If he does decide to hang his gloves up he will bow out as one of the finest boxers the sport has seen, with a record of 57 wins from 65 fights going into the Bradley contest. He is the first and only eight-division world champion, and has won a total of 10 world titles.