Nike has axed Manny Pacquiao after he described gay couples as "worse than animals", slamming the Filipino boxer's remarks as "abhorrent."

Pacquiao, triggered a firestorm of controversy with his comments earlier this week.

"Do you see animals mating with the same sex? Animals are better because they can distinguish male from female," he told Fillipino broadcaster TV5.

Soon after which Nike released a statement declaring that the company had cut its ties with Pacquiao.

"Nike opposes discrimination of any kind hence we no longer have sponsor Manny Pacquiao."

Pacquiao issued an apology soon after the controversy erupted.

"I'm sorry for comparing homosexuals to animals," Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao's comments were greeted with revulsion in the United States, where same-sex marriage is enshrined in law following a historic Supreme Court ruling.