Manny Pacquiao, the boxing superstar who plans to run for President of the Philippines in the 2022 elections, announced his retirement from the sport on Wednesday to focus on the biggest fight of his political career. Pacquiao, a Philippines senator who has been dividing his time between politics and fighting, announced in a 14-minute video posted on his official Facebook page.
Pacquiao was widely regarded as one of the best offensive fighters in the sport’s history, thanks to his quick footwork and lightning-fast punches. Bob Arum, a veteran promoter, said in 2010 that he was unrivalled and rated him higher than Muhammad Ali. Arum said that “His left and right-hand hit with equal power and that is what destroys his opponents.”
He has 62 victories, eight losses, and two draws in his 26-year, 72-fight career. 39 of the 62 victories were by knockout, while 23 were by decision. He won 12 world titles in total.
After a disheartening loss against YordenisUgas in Paradise, Nevada on August 21, he announced his retirement from boxing. The younger Cuban boxer, who migrated to the US in 2010, won a unanimous decision over Pacquiao to retain his WBA welterweight belt. For the first time in almost two years, Pacquiao was in the ring.
Pacquaio had recently hinted about his intention to retire. It was also predicted, given his ambitions for a bigger political arena. Earlier this month, he accepted his political party’s candidacy and said he would run for President of the Philippines in the May 2022 election.
He accused the administration of his official ally, President Rodrigo Duterte, of aggravating corruption in the Philippines. He promised to eradicate poverty and warned that corrupt politicians would soon be sentenced to prison.
As a teenager, he stowed away on a ship bound for Manila, leaving his impoverished home in the southern Philippines. At the age of 16, he made his professional boxing debut as a junior flyweight, fighting his way out of poverty to become one of the world’s highest-paid athletes.
