{"id":23255,"date":"2021-09-29T09:35:58","date_gmt":"2021-09-29T13:35:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=23255"},"modified":"2021-09-29T09:36:01","modified_gmt":"2021-09-29T13:36:01","slug":"manny-pacquiao-announces-retirement-from-boxing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=23255","title":{"rendered":"Manny Pacquiao Announces Retirement From Boxing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Manny Pacquiao (\u00a9 PA Archive\/PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Twelve-time world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has announced his retirement from the sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 42-year-old called time on a decorated career and has turned his attention to a presidential run in his native Philippines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Known as PacMan, he won his first major title at 19 when he took the WBC flyweight strap and in a professional career which spanned 26 years, he became the first octuple champion having won in eight different weight divisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a social media post announcing the news, he said: \u201cTo the greatest fans and the greatest sport in the world, thank you! Thank you for all the wonderful memories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the hardest decision I\u2019ve ever made, but I\u2019m at peace with it. Chase your dreams, work hard, and watch what happens. Good bye boxing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The southpaw had his first professional bout aged 16 and finishes with a 62-8-2 record, with 39 wins coming by knockout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His most recent bout was a hastily-convened fight against Cuban Yordenis Ugas in Nevada in August, which he lost by unanimous decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pacquiao announced a run for the Philippine House of Representatives in 2007 but was knocked back at the polls, eventually winning at the ballot box in 2010.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He became a senator in 2015 and announced a bid to become president earlier this month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the video posted online, he said: \u201cBoxing has always been my passion, I was given the opportunity of representing the Philippines, bringing fame and honor to my country every time I entered the ring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am grateful for all my accomplishments and opportunity to inspire the fans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWho would have thought that Manny Pacquiao would end up with 12 major world titles in eight different weight divisions? Even me I\u2019m amazed at what I have done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToday, I am announcing my retirement. I 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoodbye boxing. Thank you for changing my life when my family was desperate, you gave us hope. You gave me the chance to fight our way out of poverty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecause of you, I was able to inspire people all over the world. Because of you, I have been given the courage to change more lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

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