Manny Pacquiao, one of the longest-champions in boxing history, announced his retirement on Tuesday, ending a 26-year professional career in which he competed in more 5 title bouts than anyone.
“As I hang up my boxing gloves, I want to thank the whole world, especially the Filipino people for their support of Manny Pacquiao. Goodbye boxing,” Pacquiao said.
“It’s hard for me to accept that my time as a boxer is over. Today, I am announcing my retirement.” he added.
His retirement from boxing follows a disheartening loss to Yordenis Ugas in Paradise, Nevada on August 21. The young Cuban boxer, who defected to the United States in 2010, defeated Pacquiao by unanimous decision, retaining his WBA welterweight title. It was Pacquiao’s first fight in over two years.
“Thank you for changing my life, when my family was desperate, you gave us hope, you gave me the chance to lift myself out of poverty,” Pacquiao said.
“Thanks to you, I have been able to inspire people all over the world. Thanks to you, I had the courage to change more lives.
“I will never forget what I have done and accomplished in my life that I cannot imagine. I just heard the final bell. Boxing is over.” Pacquiao added.
Pacquaio has alluded to retirement recently. It was also planned because it targets a big political battlefield.
Earlier this month, he accepted his political party’s nomination and said he would run for President of the Philippines in the May 2022 election.
The 42-year-old man vowed to fight poverty and warned corrupt politicians that they would soon end up in prison.
Pacquiao’s life story and legendary career, he is the only fighter in history to win titles in eight different weight classes, brought credit to his Southeast Asian nation, where he is known.
