Boxing star Manny Pacquiao, who’s planning to run for president within the 2022 Philippine elections, mentioned on Wednesday he was retiring from boxing to deal with the biggest fight in his political career.
Pacquiao, a Philippine senator who has been dividing his time between politics and preventing, made the announcement in a 14-minute video posted on his official Fb web page.
“I simply heard the ultimate bell. Boxing is over,” mentioned an emotional Pacquiao, the one man to carry world titles in eight completely different divisions.
“I by no means thought at the present time would come as a I cling up my boxing gloves,” mentioned Pacquiao, as he thanked his followers all around the world.
Identified for his quick footwork and blistering velocity of punches, Pacquiao was extensively considered one of many high offensive fighters within the sport’s historical past.
Veteran promoter Bob Arum in 2010 mentioned he was unmatched, and rated him better than Muhammad Ali. “His left and proper hand hit with equal energy and that’s what destroys his opponents,” Arum advised Reuters.
In August, the 42-year-old lost a WBA welterweight world title match towards Cuban Yordenis Ugas.
Rising up within the south of the Philippines, Pacquiao’s household was dirt-poor, prompting him to do odd jobs to outlive. He stowed away on a ship to the capital Manila as a teen, the place he began aggressive boxing.
Pacquiao was among the many staunchest allies of Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, backing the chief’s bloody struggle on medicine and his bid to reintroduce the demise penalty.
However their political ties soured after Pacquiao criticised Duterte’s pleasant relationship with China and corruption within the authorities. In July, he was ousted as president of the country’s ruling political party.
Pacquiao began his political profession with failed congressional run in 2007. He received a seat on the decrease home of congress in 2010, representing the southern Sarangani province.
The 2-term congressman was elected for a six-year term within the higher chamber in 2016.
(Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales Enhancing by Ed Davies and Lincoln Feast)