Senator Manny Pacquiao officially announced his retirement from boxing in a taped video on Wednesday. "It is difficult for me to accept that my time as a boxer is over. Today, I am announcing my retirement," Pacquiao said in the video where, at times, it appeared he was getting emotional. He thanked his wife Jinkee and his parents as well as boxing fans the world over. Pacquiao also mentioned young, promising boxers who he said were full of hope and could bring honor to the country.
"Sila naman po ang ating tulungan," he said. “I would like to thank the whole world, especially the Filipino people, for supporting Manny Pacquiao. Goodbye boxing,” the 42-year-old said in a video posted on his Facebook page. “It is difficult for me to accept that my time as a boxer is over. Today I am announcing my retirement.” Pacquiao finished his 26-year, 72-fight career with 62 wins, eight losses and two draws. Of those 62 wins, 39 were by knockout and 23 by decision.
He won 12 world titles and is the only fighter in history to win titles in eight different weight classes. His retirement from boxing followed a disheartening defeat to Yordenis Ugas in Paradise, Nevada, on Aug. 21. The younger Cuban boxer beat Pacquiao by unanimous decision, retaining his WBA welterweight title. It was Pacquiao’s first fight in more than two years. “Thank you for changing my life. When my family was desperate, you gave us hope, you gave me the chance to fight my way out of poverty,” Pacquiao said in the video. “Because 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.”
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