Pacquiao ‘at peace’ with hardest decision ever

CEBU, Philippines —  Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao formally announced yesterday his retirement from the sport that has tranformed him from “nothing to something”.

In a 14-minute video clip he posted on his Facebook page, the reverted Filipino icon detailed his fistic journey and thanked at the same time all those who, in one way or another, have helped him reached the zenith of success in his illustrious career that spanned nearly three decades.

“It is difficult for me to accept that my time as a boxer is over. Today, I am announcing my retirement,” said Pacquiao, who will be running for president of the Philippines in the upcoming May 2022 elections.

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

The Freeman and its sister publications The Philippine STAR and Banat News first broke the news of Pacquiao’s retirement last Tuesday.

Pacquiao’s calling it quits came a little over a month since he suffered a disheartening defeat at the hands of  Cuban champion Yordenis Ugas in their WBA “Super” welterweight title bout on August 21 at the T-Mobline Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

It was his first ring appearance in over two years, which turned out to be his last.

The 42-year-old Pacquiao said it was the hardest decision he has ever made but he is at peace with it knowing that he has done everything to make his countrymen proud and happy.

“To the greatest fans and the greatest sport in the world, thank you! Thank you for all the wonderful memories. This is the hardest decision I’ve ever made, but I’m at peace with it. Chase your dreams, work hard, and watch what happens. Goodbye boxing,”Pacquiao wrote on his Twitter.

Pacquiao has truly left an indelible mark that is impossible to surpass and is something to marvel at by the future generation of athletes.

He reaped countless accomplishments not only for personal honor but also for national pride on the way to galvanizing his legacy and securing his place in sporting folklore.

With 12 major world titles under his belt, Pacquiao established numerous records as the first and only boxer to win eight world crowns in eight weight divisions, reign as world champion across four decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s), and clinch lineal championships in five different weight classes.

When he mauled the then undefeated American Keith Thurman in July 2019, Pacquiao reached another milestone as the oldest welterweight world champion at 40 years old and at the same time the first fighter in history to become a recognized four-time world welterweight king.

Among his most notable triumphs worth remembering for were against Thailand’s Chatchai Sasakul, South Africa’s Lehlo Ledwaba, Mexican greats Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, and Juan Manuel Marquez, Britain’s Ricky Hatton, Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto, Mexican-American Antonio Margarito, and Americans Shane Mosley and Oscar de la Hoya, whom he sent to retirement in 2008. 

At the zenith of his glory, Pacquiao perched atop the pound-for-pound rankings and had ranked among the world’s highest paid athletes. His blockbuster but controversial showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2015 stood still as the richest and most-watched fight in the annals of boxing.

Pacquiao has indeed captivated the hearts of millions not only with his sublime fighting skills but also for his inspiring rags-to-riches life story.

Rising from his humble beginnings as a nondescript fighter who once lived on the streets and worked as a construction worker and street vendor, Pacquiao bravely punched his way to phenomenal fame and fortune and a global icon.

And Pacquiao looked back at his storied past with a grateful heart.

“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.”

One of the greatest and most successful boxers of all time, Pacquiao has compiled a win-loss-draw record of 62-8-2 record, with 39 knockouts in a brilliant 26-year pro career that began in 1995.

“I will never forget what I have done and accomplished in my life that I can’t imagine. I just heard the final bell. Tapos na ang boxing,” declared Pacquiao with finality.