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Manny Pacquiao
SportBoxing

Filipino boxing great Manny Pacquiao announces retirement – ‘it is difficult for me to accept’

  • Boxing ‘gave me the chance to fight my way out of poverty’, says 42-year-old former eight-division world champion
  • Pacman posts video saying he ‘just heard the final bell’ as he turns attention to Philippines presidential run

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Filipino boxing great Manny Pacquiao in a press conference in Manila, the Philippines after beating US boxer Adrien Broner in Las Vegas in 2019. Photo: AFP
Associated Press

Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is officially hanging up his gloves. The eight-division world champion and Philippines senator announced his retirement from the ring on Wednesday.

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“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,” the 42-year old said in a 14-minute video posted on his Facebook page.

“It is difficult for me to accept that my time as a boxer is over. Today I am announcing my retirement.”

Pacquiao finished his 26-year, 72-fight career with 62 wins, eight losses and two draws. Of those 62 wins, 39 were by knockout and 23 by decision. He won 12 world titles and is the only fighter in history to win titles in eight different weight classes.

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Philippine boxing legend Manny Pacquiao retires after announcing presidential bid

Philippine boxing legend Manny Pacquiao retires after announcing presidential bid
His retirement from boxing followed a disheartening defeat to Yordenis Ugas in August. The younger Cuban boxer, who defected to the United States in 2010, beat Pacquiao by unanimous decision, retaining his WBA welterweight title. It was Pacquiao’s first fight in more than two years.
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