Boxer Manny 'PacMan' Pacquiao Retires, Thanks Fans In A Heartfelt Video. Plans To Run For Prez

Pacquiao entered politics in 2010 as a congressman before being elected to the Senate. Last week, he will make a tilt for the country's highest office.

Manny Pacquiao (AFP Photo)

New Delhi: Flipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao announced on Wednesday that we will be retiring from the sport to focus on his political career. Pacquiao, 42, has ambitions to be the country's next president.

Referring to it as one of the hardest decisions, Pacquiao's video message on Twitter said he is heard saying, "It is difficult for me to accept that my time for me as a boxer is over".

Pacquiao is the only boxer who holds world titles in eight different divisions. He announced his retirement on his social media in a 14-minute long emotional video, thanking fans all around the world for the memories.

“Thank you for changing my life, when my family was desperate, you gave us hope, you gave me the chance to fight my way out of poverty,” Pacquiao said in the video. “Because of you, I was able to inspire people all over the world. Because of you I have been given the courage to change more lives. I will never forget what I have done and accomplished in my life that I can’t imagine. I just heard the final bell. The boxing is over.”

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

Pacquiao entered politics in 2010 as a congressman before being elected to the Senate, representing the southern Sarangani province. The two-term congressman was elected for a six-year term in the upper chamber in 2016. Earlier this month, he accepted his political party's nomination and declared that he will run for the Philippines president in the May 2022 elections.

Pacquiao's formal ally was President Rodrigo Duterte, the boxer accused Duterte's administration of making corruption in the Philippines worse and promised to fight poverty, he also warned that he will jail corrupt politicians.

Pacquiao came from a poor family and worked odd jobs to provide for his family, as a teenager he came to Manila where he was introduced to competitive boxing. He made his professional boxing debut as a junior flyweight in 1995, at the age of 16, fighting his way out of abject poverty to become one of the world's highest-paid athletes. 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.