Philippine boxing icon, Manny Pacquiao, has officially retired from the sport on Wednesday with an emotional video message.
The 42-year-old earlier announced his intentions to contest in his country’s presidential election holding in 2022.
Nicknamed PacMan, the boxer turned politician’s announcement came days after accepting the nomination of a rival faction in President Rodrigo Duterte’s ruling PDP-Laban party.
Pacquiao who was an eight-division world champion last fought in August where he lost to Yordenis Ugas.
Speaking to actress Toni Gonzaga on her YouTube program Toni Talks on September 20, he said, “My boxing career? My boxing career is already over.“
In a video uploaded on his Twitter handle on September 29, PacMan released an emotional farewell.
“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. Goodbye boxing,” he captioned the video.
Pacquiao who began his career at the age of 16 retires with 62 wins in 72 professional fights.
The biggest fight of his career against came Floyd Mayweather in May 2015 – he lost via unanimous decision.
“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.
“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,” he said in the full video.
