By Yusuf Boluwatife
Boxing legend, Manny Pacquiao has announced his retirement from boxing to focus on his political ambition in order to grow his career in politics.
According to The PUNCH, 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, Manny Pacquiao described retiring from boxing 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.
