NBA Great Not Expected To Support Manny Pacquiao's Venture Into Boxing Exhibition

Earvin "Magic" Johnson — Magic Johnson may not be around to watch Pacquiao face DK Yoo, still sore for the comments the Filipino boxing icon made on same-sex marriage in 2016. Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

KEY POINTS

Magic Johnson is unlikely to spare time to watch Man Pacquiao figure in an exhibition
Johnson is still miffed at Pacquiao's stance against same-sex marriage
Pacquiao will likely follow in the footsteps of Floyd Mayweather

After failing in his bid to win the presidency of the Philippines, retired boxer Manny Pacquiao has unsurprisingly diverted his focus to boxing once more but with a twist.

It was a no-brainer that the 43-year-old boxer would try and go back to the sport where he rose to prominence.

Under exhibition rules, he is set to face Korean YouTuber DK Yoo, someone who knows a thing or two about martial arts on December 11 in Seoul, South Korea.

Pacquiao is undoubtedly following in the footsteps of boxing rival Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Proof of that is when boxing's only eight-division world champion headed to Japan to throw his support for the retired American pugilist back in September when Mayweather fought Mikuru Asakura, with the former knocking out the 30-year-old Japanese mixed martial artist in the second round at the Saitama Super Arena.

The four-time division champion now appears to be starting his series of exhibition boxing fights, something that celebrities and top personalities are likely going to watch.

All that is except for one person–Earvin "Magic" Johnson.

Although the Los Angeles Lakers legend has been known to constantly watch Pacquiao fights in the past, an issue tied to same-sex marriage altered all that.

In an interview back in 2016, Pacquiao gave his take on the matter as translated by the Guardian.

"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 said at the time.

Pacquiao even cited a Bible verse to back up his claim.

But through it all, the Filipino southpaw ended up getting heavy backlash–including one from Johnson himself.

Johnson hailed Nike's termination of Pacquiao's contract for the derogatory comments the Filipino made against gay people.

The 63-year-old NBA great also reminded Pacquiao that gay people were among those who contributed to the boxer's success.

The retired NBA player took exception to Pacquiao's comments since his son, E.J. is a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Johnson has been very supportive of his son since E.J. publicly came out as gay.