Pacquiao retires from boxing to focus on presidential ambition

Manny Pacquiao has announced his retirement from boxing to focus on his presidential ambition.

The 42-year-old has already announced his intention to run for president in Philippines’ presidential elections next year.

In a video posted on social media, Pacquiao described retiring as the hardest decision of his life, adding that boxing had given him “the chance to fight my way out of poverty” and “the courage to change more lives”.

He also thanked his fans, friends and all those who supported him throughout his career, especially long-time trainer Freddie Roach, who he described as “my family, a brother and a friend”.

“I will never forget what I have done and accomplished in my life,” the Filipino, who won his first major title in 1998 at the age of 19, said.

Pacquiao’s final fight was a defeat by Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas in Las Vegas last month.

The politician is widely considered as one of the greatest professional boxers of all time, winning 12 different titles across eight weight divisions and is the only boxer to hold world championships across four decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s).

Pacquiao, who retires with a record of 62 wins, eight defeats and two draws, entered politics in 2010 when he won a seat in the lower house of the Philippines congress, before being elected for a six-year term in the upper chamber in 2016.