Nike, the world’s largest sportswear maker, said Wednesday that it had ended its contract with the Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao, who described gay people as “worse than animals.”

In a statement, Nike said, “We find Manny Pacquiao’s comments abhorrent.” The company added that it no longer had a relationship with Pacquiao.

Nike’s decision came a day after the start of an online petition urging the company to halt Pacquiao’s endorsements.

Pacquiao, revered in the Philippines for winning world boxing titles in eight weight classes during his 20-year career, suddenly fell from grace after a 30-second interview on local television about same-sex marriage, which he opposes.