Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is officially wearing gloves.
The eight-time world champion and Philippine senator announced his retirement from the ring on Wednesday.
“As I hang my boxing gloves, I want to thank the whole world, especially Filipinos. For supporting Manny Pacquiao. Goodbye boxing,” the 42-year-old said in a 14-minute video posted on his Facebook page. “It’s hard for me to accept that my time as a boxer is over. Today I am announcing my retirement.”
Pacquiao completed his 26-year, 72-fight career with 62 wins, eight losses and two draws. Of those 62 wins, 39 were knocked out and 23 were decided. He won 12 world titles.
After retiring from boxing, he suffered a disappointing defeat at Jordanis Ugas, Paradise, Nevada, on August 21. The Cuban boxer, who settled in the United States in 2010, unanimously defeated Pacquiao and retained his WBA welterweight title. This was Pacquiao’s first battle in more than two years.
“Thank you for changing my life. When my family was helpless, you gave us hope, you gave me the opportunity to fight my way out of poverty,” Pacquiao said in the video. “Because of you, I have been able to inspire people around the world. Because of you, I have had the courage to change more lives. I will never forget what I have done and achieved in my life that I can’t even imagine. I just heard the last bell. Boxing is over. . “
Pacquiao had recently signaled his retirement. This was also expected because he is keeping his eyes on a major political battle. Earlier this month, he accepted his political party’s nomination and announced that he would run for the presidency of the Philippines in the May 2022 election.
He has accused the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, who is his formal ally, of exacerbating corruption in the Philippines. He promised to fight poverty and warned corrupt politicians that they would soon end up in prison.
Pacquiao’s rag-to-rich life story and legendary career तो he’s the only fighter in history to win the title in eight different weight classes त्याने has earned him the honor of his Southeast Asian nation, where he earned his monikers Pacman, People’s Champ and National Fist.
As a teenager, he left his poor home in the southern Philippines and boarded a ship bound for Manila. He made his professional boxing debut as a junior flyweight in 1995. At the age of 1, he fought his way out of abject poverty to become one of the highest paid players in the world.
