(Image Source:  ExtraTV )

 

BY ANTHONY MARTINEZ

Manny Pacquiao is up against the ropes for comments he reportedly made about gay marriage.  
Examiner.com quotes him as “disagreeing” with President Obama’s stance on same-sex marriage.

“Pacquiao's directive for Obama calls societies to fear God and not to promote sin...Leviticus 20:13 says...’If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.’”

Now, Pacquiao is backpedaling, saying – he was misquoted.  CNN’s Morning Express says the Examiner article used...

“A Bible verse that says gays must be put to death. Pacquiao wants to clarify, he never quoted that Bible verse and that he does not condemn gay people.”

Now, it’s become a game of he said, she said. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports on the -- misunderstanding.

"I told (the reporter) I'm against same-sex marriage," Pacquiao added. "He said, 'Why?' I said, 'It's the law of God.' That's all I said."
"My favorite verse in the Bible is 'Love one another,' and 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself,'" Pacquiao said. "It's in the Bible: Do not judge. I'm not judging."

Outside the ring, Pacquiao is devout Roman Catholic that ran a landslide victory campaign for Congress in The Philippines in 2010. On ESPN , some critics say this isn’t that surprising in a macho sport like boxing.

“We’re talking about the sport of boxing here. And especially in boxing, any publicity can be great publicity. And I can make a case, this could increase the potential purse for this fight because it could turn Pacquiao into more of a villain.”

That wasn’t the only criticism. Rival Floyd Mayweather tweeted.

“I stand behind President Obama & support gay marriage.”

Then, The Los Angeles Times quotes The Grove Mall in LA where Pacquiao was banned from TV interviews.

"Based on news reports of statements made by Mr. Pacquiao, we have made it be known that he is not welcome at The Grove...”

The writer of the article, Granville Ampong, has since apologized for the article’s erroneous context, with Pacquiao doing the same on Extra TV. Pacquiao says he has close friends and even relatives who are gay.