Watch: Manny Pacquiao Officially Hangs Up His Gloves After 26 Legendary Years
In an emphatic, emotional exit, Manny Pacquiao has officially retired from boxing.
Pacquiao (62-8, 39 KOs) announced his retirement from the sport through social media, including a 14-minute-long video on his Facebook and Instagram, after weeks of speculation he was hanging up his gloves and his announcement of running for the president of the Philippines, his home country.
“It is difficult for me to accept that my time as a boxer is over,” Pacquiao said halfway into the video. “…Today I am announcing my retirement.”
“Goodbye boxing.”
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“Goodbye Boxing” is the title of the video tribute where the legendary Filipino boxer gives special thanks to his family, trainers, coaches and, most of all, his fans. He also highlights how he came to the U.S. and met legendary trainer Freddie Roach.
Through old photos of Pacquiao growing up and as a young boxer, fans can walk through his legacy in the video. The 42-year-old – just three months shy of his birthday — is the only eight-division champion in boxing history and 12 major world titles. He won his first title at 108 pounds and his last at 154 pounds.
Pacquiao’s most memorable fights include facing Juan Manuel Marquez, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito, Shane Mosley, Timothy Bradley Jr. and Floyd Mayweather Jr., to name a few.
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In Tagalog – the Philippines’ main native language – Pacquiao emphasized his appreciation for the love and support of those who helped him along his 26-year career.
He said all the support helped him “fight my way out of poverty.”
Pacquiao was born in Kibawe, Bukidnon, raised in General Santos, Philippines and was brought up by a single mother with his five siblings. He started boxing at 12 years old because he and his friends learned that even if you lose, you still get money.
Now the boxer has went on to make hundreds of millions of dollars, including his 2015 fight with Mayweather which shattered revenue records.
Pacquiao previously told FIGHT SPORTS he knows what it’s like to have nothing.
“Be fair to everyone. Do not take advantage of other people… in order to become a successful person in life,” he said.
“That’s my experience… That’s why I’m here,” he said. “God gave me these blessings because of my heart. That’s my life story.”
I love you manny pacquiao thank you for the legendary career and all the memories you inspired me forever 👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) September 29, 2021
Boxing Will Miss You @MannyPacquiao
Thankyou For Everything You Did For My Career 🥊 #Legend pic.twitter.com/ODbkngmDEa
— George “Ferocious” Kambosos Jr (@georgekambosos) September 29, 2021
Thank you, @MannyPacquiao pic.twitter.com/aSQQwEWOUa
— Gilberto J Mendoza (@GilberticoWBA) September 29, 2021
Despite his unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugas in the WBA super world welterweight title fight on August 21, boxing fans have made it clear it did not affect his cement in history.
Norm Frauenheim, 72, the only expert to choose Ugas to win against Pacquiao, previously told FIGHT SPORTS that the loss does not affect his decorated career and that he now has a whole new life ahead of him.
The last four minutes of Pacquiao’s retirement video show visuals of his life throughout the years.
“I will never forget what I have done and accomplished in my life. I can’t imagine that I have just heard the final bell.”