Evander Holyfield sparked a Twitter storm on Sunday night when he called homosexuality a disability and claimed it could be "fixed."
The former four-time heavyweight champion of the world made the comments on "UK Celebrity Big Brother" — during his first week on the British reality show — when he was quizzed by housemate Luisa Zissman about whether any boxers had come out as gay, according to TMZ.
The 51-year-old Holyfield — a deeply religious Christian — cited the bible and said homosexuality is NOT a choice ... but rather something like a "handicap" ... something doctors can fix.
The show's producers probably wished Mike Tyson could bite off the former champ's tongue right then and there — or at least their own ears.
"I think it’s really bad that no-one stands up and says it in the sporting industries. I think it’s good to be open about that because it’s normal," said Zissman.
To which Holyfield replied: "What would be good about it? That ain’t normal."
He went on to say, "It is a choice, come on, that ain’t the way nobody is made.
"If you were born and your leg were turned this way, what do you do, you go to the doctor and get it fixed back right."
Holyfield was later called to the diary room and warned for his comments by the producers who called them inappropriate, to which Holyfield replied he was merely stating his opinion "not meant for anybody else."
Guess he was clueless to the 500 cameras all over the place.
Guess he was clueless to the 500 cameras all over the place.
"Before you entered the Big Brother house, the rules regarding unacceptable language and behavior were explained to you," explained Big Brother. "Last night, in a conversation with Luisa, you expressed the view that being gay was not normal and that it could be 'fixed.'"
Holyfield says he understood that his comments could be considered offensive — but never apologizes.
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