Pacquiao Retires From Boxing To Pursue Philippines Presidential Bid
Boxing star Manny Pacquiao, who is planning to run for president in the 2022 Philippine elections, said he was retiring from boxing to focus on the biggest fight in his political career.
Pacquiao, a Philippine senator who has been dividing his time between politics and fighting, made the announcement in a 14-minute video posted on his official Facebook page.
“I just heard the final bell. Boxing is over,” said an emotional Pacquiao, the only man to hold world titles in eight different divisions.
“I never thought this day would come as a I hang up my boxing gloves.”
Known for his fast footwork and blistering speed of punches, Pacquiao was widely regarded as one of the top offensive fighters in the sport’s history. In August, the 42-year-old lost a WBA welterweight world title match against Cuban Yordenis Ugas.
Pacquiao was among the staunchest allies of Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, backing the leader’s bloody war on drugs and his bid to reintroduce the death penalty.But their political ties soured after Pacquiao criticised Duterte’s friendly relationship with China and corruption in the government.
In July, he was ousted as president of the country’s ruling political party.
Pacquiao started his political career with failed congressional run in 2007. He won a seat at the lower house of congress in 2010, representing the southern Sarangani province. The two-term congressman was elected for a six-year term in the upper chamber in 2016.
Chidi Nwoke/Reuters.
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