Back in February, eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao generated worldwide headlines over his controversial comments related to homosexuals and gay marriage.

During that interview, Pacquiao - who is very religious - compared gay couples to animals by stated that they were “worse than animals” when he was asked about his stance on gay marriage. His comments led him to be dropped from Nike, rejected from Footlocker and criticised by other sportsmen.

Shortly after losing the 8-year deal with Nike, Pacquiao took to Twitter in a now-deleted tweet and wrote, “If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.”

Now however, Pacquiao has stated that those comments were a “mistake” and speaking to TMZ, he said:

“I’m not changing my position to what the bible says. But my mistake is comparing them to animals. I’m human – nobody’s perfect.”

Pacquiao was recently banned from an LA shopping centre over his comments and back in April someone tried to attack him outside a restaurant over the comments.

Pacquiao announced his retirement back in April after winning a twelve round decision over Timothy Bradley. He won a senatorial seat back in the Philippines a few weeks later. The retirement didn't last long. Pacquiao makes his return on November 5th, when he challenges WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas at the Thomas& Mack Center in Las Vegas.