Pacquiao to seek Philippines presidency BOXING AT END

MANILA • World boxing icon Manny Pacquiao announced his retirement on Wednesday to focus on a run for the Philippines presidency.

In a 14-minute video posted on Facebook and Twitter, “Pacman,” as he is known in the sport, thanked fans worldwide before closing the curtain on a 26-year boxing career that earned him world titles in eight different divisions, which to this day remains unmatched.

“I just heard the final bell. Boxing is over,” said the 42-year-old Pacquiao, now a Philippines senator, drawing a flood of reactions from fans ranging from disbelief to gratitude.

Pacquiao, whose fast footwork and lightning punches made him one of the top offensive fighters in the sport’s history, said he was at peace with his decision, adding it was the turn of other Filipino

boxers to shine.

“As I hang up my boxing gloves, I would like to thank the whole world especially the Filipino people for supporting Manny Pacquiao,” he said, fighting back tears.

Pacquiao came from impoverished beginnings as a ship stowaway who started fighting on the streets as a boy, with prizes of $2 a fight. His net worth was $63 million last year.

He is widely rated as among the best pound-forpound fighters in history.

While no one questions his prowess inside the ring, many political observers doubt his ability to fight entrenched poverty and social problems and handle the economic fallout and job losses from one of Asia’s worst and longest-running COVID-19 epidemics.

A new opinion poll showed Pacquiao rising a notch to fourth spot, cornering 12 per cent of the 2,400 people surveyed, from eight per cent previously.