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There had been speculation for a while that Manny Pacquiao was going to retire from boxing for good. The rumors officially became reality this week when the champ announced via social media that he’s calling it a career.
“It is difficult for me to accept that my time as a boxer is over,” he said in a social media video accompanying his retirement statement. “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.”
Pacquiao, who turns 43 in December, won 12 world titles over the span of his career and is the only fighter in boxing history to tally wins in eight weight divisions, among other big accomplishments.
“Even me, I’m amazed at what I have done,” Pacquiao said. “The only boxer to hold world titles in four different decades and became the oldest boxer to win a world welterweight title, an amazing accomplishment.”
Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) last fought one month ago in a fight that ended with a decision loss to Yordenis Ugas. He faced Ugas on 11 days’ notice after his original opponent, Errol Spence Jr., had to withdraw in order to have surgery on a detached retina.
The “Pacman” isn’t completely bowing out of the spotlight, though. The current sitting senator in the Philippines plans to run for president of his native country next May.
Chelena Goldman grew up on a street where the boys played street hockey and yelling at baseball and football over the radio was a standard — making life as a sports geek the perfect fit. She believes in dominance on the blue line, good red wine, and the theory that you can never be too overdressed for any occasion. You can find her gabbing away on Twitter at @ChelenaGoldman.
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