Manny Pacquiao Retires From Boxing To Focus On Political Career

Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao has announced his retirement from the sport to focus on his
political career.

The multi-division world champion, who is a senator in his native Philippines, has already
announced his intention to run for president in the country's 2022 elections.

The 42-year-old's final fight was a defeat by Cuba's Yordenis Ugas in Las Vegas last month.

"I just heard the final bell. Boxing is over," said Pacquiao.
In a video posted on social media, Pacquiao described retiring as the "hardest decision" of his
life, adding 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, most
notably 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," he said.
After growing up in poverty in the south of the Philippines, Pacquiao moved to the capital
Manila as a teenager to start a boxing career that would make him one of the world's most highly
paid athletes.
He won his first major title in 1998 at the age of 19, defeating Thailand's Chatchai Sasakul for
the WBC flyweight title.

Within three years he was fighting in Las Vegas, beating South Africa's Lehlohonolo Ledwaba
for the IBF super bantamweight title at the MGM Grand, the venue for most of his fights in the
following two decades.

He is now regarded 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.