Shane Mosley: Former world champion boxer wants to fight Manny Pacquiao in defence of gay rights

'I have family & friends who are gay. That s**t he said is past religious belief it's insane,' says Mosley

Pacquiao came under fire in February for saying gay couples were “worse than animals” and Nike chose to terminate their contract with him (Getty Images)

Former world champion boxer, Shane Mosley, has condemned Manny Pacquiao’s homophobic comments, saying he wants to fight him in honour of gay rights.

Pacquiao came under fire in February for saying gay couples were “worse than animals” and was subsequently dropped by his sponsor Nike.

Mosley has now said he would have a rematch with Pacquiao in defence of gay rights in an interview with TMZ.

The 44-year-old also took to Twitter to rebuke Pacquiao's comments, saying he would wear “rainbow gloves”.

“I just read the comments Pacquiao said about gay people & even though I love Freddy Roach I hope Bradley Knocks Pac out now. If not I will,” Mosley wrote.

“I have family & friends who are gay. That shit he said is past religious belief. It's insane. You need help if u think that shits ok to say,” the California-born boxer added.

Last week Pacquiao, the first and only eight-division world champion, was reportedly attacked outside a restaurant in Los Angeles for his gay comments.

The 37-year-old Filipino boxer, who has been an elected member of his country’s House of Representatives for the last eight years, has since said his comments were taken out of context. Although he apologised, he also said the original interview had been edited down to just include his remarks about gay people.

Shane Mosley and Manny Pacquiao did not immediately respond to request for comment.