Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao retires at 42, likely to bid for Philippines presidency in 2022

Manny Pacquiao, boxing star and a Philippine senator, announced his retirement from boxing on Wednesday, and if media reports are to be believed he is mulling to run for president in the 2022 Philippine elections.

Hyderabad:Manny Pacquiao, boxing star and a Philippine senator, announced his retirement from boxing on Wednesday, and if media reports are to be believed he is mulling to run for president in the 2022 Philippine elections.

The only boxer who holds world titles in eight different divisions, Pacquiao announced his retirement on Facebook in a 14-minute long emotional video, thanking fans all around the world for the memories.

Last Sunday, Pacquiao announced his plan to run for president in the May 2022 election. He announced his candidacy during a meeting of a rival faction of President Rodrigo Duterte's ruling PDP-Laban party in Quezon City. The only eight-division world boxing champion has been a senator since 2016. He previously served two terms in the House of Representatives.

"I am a fighter and I will always be a fighter inside and outside the ring," Pacquiao was quoted by ABS-CBN News as saying after accepting nominations from around 20 PDP-Laban chapter leaders, as per Kyodo News.

Pacquiao later confirmed the news on his Twitter as he wrote: "I boldly accept the challenge of running as PRESIDENT of the Philippines. We need progress. We need to win against poverty. We need the government to serve our people with integrity, compassion and transparency. The time is now. I am ready to rise to the challenge of leadership."

The 42-year-old was last seen in a professional fight against Yordenis Ugas of Cuba in Las Vegas, last month. In that match, Ugas defeated Pacquiao by unanimous decision to retain his WBA welterweight title

(With agency inputs)