Manny Pacquiao declares retirement from boxing at age 42

Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is formally hanging up his gloves.

The eight-division best on the planet and Philippines senator on Wednesday reported his retirement from the ring,

“As I hang up my boxing gloves, I would like to thank the whole world, especially the Filipino people for supporting Manny Pacquiao. Goodbye boxing,” the 42-year old said in a 14-minute video posted on his Facebook page. “It is difficult 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 by knockout and 23 by decision. He won 12 world titles.

His retirement from boxing followed a disheartening loss to Yordenis Ugas in Paradise, Nevada on Aug. 21. The more youthful Cuban fighter, who surrendered to the United States in 2010, beat Pacquiao by unanimous decision, holding his WBA welterweight title. It was Pacquiao’s first battle 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 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. ”

Pacquaio had indicated retirement as of late. It additionally had been normal since he is focusing on a greater political battlefield. Recently, he acknowledged his political party’s nomination and proclaimed that he will run for Philippines president in the May 2022 elections.

He has blamed the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, his proper partner, of making corruption worse in the Philippines. He promised to fight poverty and warned corrupt politicians they will before long end in jail.

Pacquiao’s rags-to-riches life story and amazing career — he is the main contender in history to win titles in eight distinctive weight classes — has carried honor to his Southeast Asian country, where he is known by his monikers Pacman, People’s Champ, and National Fist.

He left his devastated home in the southern Philippines as a teenager and stowed away on a ship bound for Manila. He made his professional boxing debut as a lesser flyweight in 1995, at 16 years old, battling right out of servile destitution to become one of the world’s highest-paid athletes.