MANILA: Philippine boxing great and former eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao said he was retiring from the 鈥済reatest sport in the world鈥� on Wednesday to focus on his run for president in the 2022 race.

The 42-year-old sportsman, who has won 12 world titles and is also a senator, made the announcement in a 14-minute video posted on his official Facebook page.

鈥淚t is difficult to accept that my time as a boxer is over. Today, I am announcing my retirement,鈥� said Pacquiao, who is often referred to as 鈥淧acman鈥� and 鈥淭he Destructor.鈥� 

He added that he never thought the day would come, sharing highlights of his 26-year career as a professional boxer and recalling how he was once rejected by the Philippine team but soldiered on to pursue his passion.

鈥淎s I hang up my boxing gloves, I would like to thank the whole world, especially the Filipino people, for supporting Manny Pacquiao. Goodbye, boxing. Boxing has always been my passion ... I am grateful for all my accomplishments and the opportunity to inspire the fans.鈥�

Renowned for his speedy footwork and boxing brilliance, Pacquiao is widely regarded  as one of the top offensive fighters in the sport鈥檚 history, finishing his 72-fight career with 62 wins, eight losses and two draws.

鈥淭o the greatest fans and the greatest sport in the world, thank you!鈥� he tweeted. 鈥淭his is the hardest decision I鈥檝e ever made, but I鈥檓 at peace with it. Chase your dreams, work hard, and watch what happens.鈥�

Pacquiao said on Sept. 19 that he was accepting the nomination of his political party, the PDP-Laban, to run for president in next year鈥檚 polls, ending weeks of speculation.

But Wednesday鈥檚 announcement still elicited an outpouring of support and admiration from fans who thanked him for uniting and inspiring Filipinos.

鈥淭hank you Manny for inspiring us all and entertaining everyone amidst all problems ... We become one united Filipino once you are on the ringside!鈥� fan Charlie Tanglao said in response to Pacquiao鈥檚 Facebook post.

鈥淗onored to have attended your last fight,鈥� another fan, Rafael Pena, wrote. 鈥淭hank you for your years of dedication to the sport ... You are and always will be my favorite boxer of all time and my number one pound for pound.鈥�

But some experts have questioned his political viability.

鈥淚t would be better if Pacquiao runs for vice president instead, as he still lacks maturity in politics and leadership,鈥� political analyst and executive director at the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform Ramon Casiple told Arab News.

When asked if Pacquiao had what it took to run the country, Casiple replied: 鈥淗e lacks experience as a senior political leader every time he speaks, that鈥檚 how voters will judge him as against their problems and all the issues now faced by our country.鈥�

He said that, even as a senator, the former boxer did not 鈥渙penly articulate his position,鈥� especially on critical issues.

鈥淗is sincerity is there, we can see that. But sincerity is not enough. Leadership and quality are what people want to see (from presidential hopefuls), especially now that we are faced with the pandemic and economic crisis.鈥� 

Pacquiao鈥檚 popularity itself was not a 鈥渄ecisive factor鈥� to resolve the nation鈥檚 problems, he added.