Sportswear giant Nike has terminated its contract with eight-division world champion boxer Manny Pacquiao following his controversial comments about same-sex couples.

The Filipino sportsman, who is running for a senate seat in his homeland ahead of the elections in May, sparked outrage in a local television interview when he described gay couples as "worse than animals".

The boxer told TV5: "Do you see animals mating with the same sex? Animals are better because they can distinguish male from female. If men mate with men and women mate with women they are worse than animals."

Pacquiao apologised for his remarks but insisted that he does not agree with same-sex marriage because of his religious beliefs.

As a result of his offensive comments, Nike has opted to terminate its sponsorship with the boxer, who has won 57 of his 65 professional bouts.

A statement from Nike 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."

The Filipino fighter has won 10 world titles in his career.