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          Boxing world reacts to Manny Pacquiao's retirement

          • ESPN
          Sep 29, 2021, 12:50 PM

          Manny Pacquiao, boxing's only eight-division champion, announced his retirement from boxing in a Facebook post Tuesday night.

          "It is difficult for me to accept that my time as a boxer is over," Pacquiao said. "Today, I am announcing my retirement. 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), 42, of the Philippines, won 12 major titles in his career and was lineal champion in five different divisions. He also held titles in four different decades ('90s, '00s, '10s and '20s). Pacquiao, a member of the Philippine House of Representatives, recently announced he is running for president of his country in 2022.

          "Congratulations to Manny Pacquiao on a well-earned retirement," Bradley, who went 1-2 in a trilogy with Pacquiao, told ESPN. "Thank you for being an inspiration to many in and out of the sport. Enjoy the next chapter of your life alongside your family."

          Among his best performances, Pacquiao owns a 2-1-1 record against Juan Manuel Marquez, and he has victories over Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito, Shane Mosley, Timothy Bradley Jr., Brandon Rios and Oscar De La Hoya, among others.

          Many in the boxing world, from fellow fighters to boxing insiders, shared their emotions and praised the legendary boxer for his successful and incredible career.

          Watch the best of Manny Pacquiao on ESPN+