-
Mike CoppingerESPN
Manny Pacquiao, one of the greatest boxers of all time, announced his retirement Tuesday night, three months shy of his 43rd birthday and one month after a decision loss to Yordenis Ugas.
The only eight-division champion in boxing history, Pacquiao won his first title at 108 pounds and captured a title at 154 pounds, too. A sitting senator in the Philippines, Pacquiao recently announced he’ll run for president in May’s election against incumbent Rodrigo Duterte.
“It is difficult for me to accept that my time as a boxer is over. Today, I am announcing my retirement,” Pacquiao said in a video titled “Good bye boxing” that was posted on his official Facebook page. “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 (62-8-2, 39 KOs) was slated to face unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. last month, but after his opponent suffered a detached retina, “Pacman” fought Ugas on 11 days’ notice.