Manny Pacquiao retires from boxing to chase Philippine presidency
Boxing star Manny Pacquiao, who is planning to run for Philippine president in the 2022 elections, says he is retiring from boxing to focus on the biggest fight of his political career.
Pacquiao, a Philippine senator who has been dividing his time between politics and fighting, made the announcement in a 14-minute video posted on his official Facebook page on Wednesday.
“I just heard the final bell. Boxing is over,” said an emotional Pacquiao, the only man to hold world titles in eight different divisions.
“I never thought this day would come as I hang up my boxing gloves,” he said as he thanked his fans all over the world.
“This is the hardest decision I have ever made, but I am at peace with it,” Pacquaio added.
Known for his fast footwork and blistering-speed punches, Pacquiao was widely regarded as one of the top offensive fighters in the sport’s history.
Veteran promoter Bob Arum in 2010 said he was unmatched and rated him better than Muhammad Ali. “His left and right hand hit with equal power and that is what destroys his opponents,” Arum told the Reuters news agency.
To the greatest fans and the greatest sport in the world, thank you! Thank you for all the wonderful memories. This is the hardest decision I’ve ever made, but I’m at peace with it. Chase your dreams, work hard, and watch what happens. Good bye boxing. https://t.co/Bde4wO82sA
— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) September 29, 2021
In August, the 42-year-old lost a WBA welterweight world title match against Cuban Yordenis Ugas.
Growing up in the south of the Philippines, Pacquiao’s family lived in dire poverty, prompting him to do odd jobs to survive. As a teenager, he stowed away on a boat to the capital Manila, where he started competitive boxing.
Pacquiao was among the staunchest allies of Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, backing the leader’s bloody war on drugs and his bid to reintroduce the death penalty.
But their political ties soured after Pacquiao criticised Duterte’s friendly relationship with China and corruption in the government.
In July, he was removed as president of the country’s ruling PDP-Laban party, leading a split and competing factions that nominated different candidates.
Pacquiao started his political career with a failed congressional run in 2007. He won a seat at the lower house of Congress in 2010, representing the southern Saranggani province.
The two-term congressman was elected for a six-year term in the Senate in 2016, and is up for re-election in 2022.
As a senator, the fundamentalist Christian legislator advocated for the death penalty against illegal drug trade, suggesting that those found guilty should face execution by firing squad. Pacquiao once famously said that even Jesus was sentenced to death.
He also proclaimed that Duterte was anointed by God to end the country’s drug menace.