The boxing career of Manny Pacquiao is over.
The 42-year-old former eight-division champion from the Philippines, who has fought professionally for more than a quarter century, announced his retirement in a video on Tuesday.
Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) was last in the ring on Aug. 21, when he lost a clear decision to WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas. The senator subsequently accepted his party’s nomination to run for president of his country.
“It is difficult for me to accept that my time as a boxer is over,” Pacquiao said in the video. “Today, I am announcing my retirement. I had never thought that this day would come. As I hang up my boxing gloves, I would like to thank the whole world, especially the Filipino people, for supporting Manny Pacquiao.
“Goodbye, boxing. Thank you for changing my life. My family was desperate, you gave us hope. You give me the chance to fight out way out of poverty. Because of you, I was able to inspire people all over the world.”
Pacquiao will be remembered as one of the best fighters of his era pound for pound, perhaps second only to Floyd Mayweather.
Here is a link to the video on which Pacquiao made his announcement.