SEN. Manny Pacquiao yesterday formally announced his retirement from boxing after a nearly 30-year illustrious career that made him a household name in every corner of the globe and rewarded him a fortune beyond his wildest dreams that he used to launch a political career and a shot at the presidency.
In an almost 15-minute video posted on his Facebook page, Pacquiao bid goodbye to the brutal world of boxing 10 days after announcing he will seek the highest political post in the country and just a day before the filing of candidacy starts.
“It is difficult for me to accept that my time as a boxer is over. Today (Wednesday) I am announcing (my) retirement. I never thought that this day would come. I can’t imagine I just heard the final bell. Tapos na ang boxing,” Pacquiao said, his voice filled with emotion.
“Goodbye, boxing. Thank you for changing my life. When my family was desperate, you gave us hope. You gave us the chance to fight our way out of poverty. 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.”
Marking the end of an era, Pacquiao, 42, bowed out of the boxing scene with 62 wins, 39 by knockout, eight losses, and two draws, emerging as one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters and a sure Hall of Famer.
His boxing career, however, ended on a sad note, finally losing his battle with Father Time.
Exactly five weeks ago, he suffered an unexpected setback at the hands of lightly regarded Cuban Yordenis Ugas, who pulled off a unanimous decision win to retain the World Boxing Association welterweight crown at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao’s defeat was somewhat ironic for a boxer who had sent his previous illustrious foes such as Ricky Hatton and Oscar dela Hoya into retirement.
Among the other boxing greats that Pacquiao beat were Mexicans Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Eric Morales. But he lost one of his biggest fights — against Floyd Mayweather Jr. — in 2015.
Pacquiao started his foray into politics by running as representative of Saranggani province. He became a senator in 2016.
Reflecting on his career in one of most violent and brutal professional sports, Pacman expressed amazement at what he, an unschooled and impoverished boy from Gen. Santos City had accomplished.
“Who would have thought that Manny Pacqjuiao will end up with 12 major world titles in eight different weight divisions? Even me, I am amazed with what we have done,” he noted. “For the only boxer to hold world titles in four different decades and become the oldest fighter to win a world welterweight title?
“I give glory to God who made it happen. I’ve always believed that without Him I am nothing. He is the one who gives me the ability and strength to accomplish all those things.”
He reserved his best words for the people who had helped him reach the summit of pro boxing, including the late manager-promoter Rod Nazario and his buddies Moy Lainez and Lito Mondejar, who owned the L&M gym in Sampaloc, Manila, where Pacquiao began his pro career.
Nazario had arranged for Pacquiao as a last-minute substitute to face then reigning International Boxing Federation super bantamweight champion Lehlo Ledwaba of South Africa. Seizing the opportunity, Pacquiao stopped Ledwaba in six rounds on June 23, 2001 at the MGM Grand Arena, a giant-sized reversal that set him on the path to ring fame and fortune.
He also paid tribute to the architect behind that successful road, American trainer Freddie Roach, “who was not only my trainer but also a brother and friend.”
Pacquiao likewise mentioned his bosom buddy and longtime trainer Buboy Fernandez.
“When you speak of friends, there is no one closer to me than Buboy Fernandez who I have known most of my life. He is more than a coach to me,” he said. — With Ashzel Hachero
