MANILA, Philippines — Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is officially hanging up his gloves.
On Wednesday, the 42-year-old legendary boxer announced his retirement, noting that it was “the hardest decision I’ve ever made, but I’m at peace with it.”
“I would like to thank the whole world, especially the Filipino people, for supporting Manny Pacquiao. Goodbye boxing. It is difficult for me to accept that my time as a boxer is over. Today I am announcing my retirement.”
Pacquiao finished his 26-year, 72-fight career with 62 wins, eight losses and two draws. Of those 62 wins, 39 were by knockout and 23 by decision. He won 12 world titles and is the only fighter in history to win titles in eight different weight classes.
In August, Pacquiao, an eight-division world champion, made a return to the ring following a two-year absence, facing off against Yordenis Ugás in Paradise, Nevada on Aug. 21. The younger Cuban boxer beat Pacquiao by unanimous decision, retaining his WBA welterweight title.
Pacquaio had hinted at retirement recently. It also had been expected because he is setting his sights on a bigger political battlefield. Earlier this month, he accepted his political party’s nomination and declared that that he will run for Philippine presidency in the May 2022 elections.
“I boldly accept the challenge of running as PRESIDENT of the Philippines. We need progress. We need to win against poverty. We need government to serve our people with integrity, compassion and transparency. The time is now. I am ready to rise to the challenge of leadership.”
Pacquiao will run as a member of the PDP-Laban party, accepting the party’s nomination at its national convention on Sept 19. “I am a fighter, and I will always be a fighter inside and outside the ring,” he said in his speech
“I will never forget what I have done and accomplished in my life. I just heard the final bell. The boxing is over. “