The senator and multi-division world champion, who is eyeing a high-stakes race to succeed President Rodrigo Duterte, said quitting the sport that helped him overcome poverty was the "hardest decision" he has ever made.

In a video posted on Twitter, the 42-year-old expressed that "It's difficult for me to accept that my time as a boxer is over."

Thank you 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/6tnYqHRZOC

— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) August 24, 2021

"Today I am announcing my retirement," said Pacquiao, whose fights in the Philippines during his glory days stopped traffic and even crime.

It comes only weeks after Pacquiao, widely regarded as one of the finest boxers of all time, lost his final professional battle in Las Vegas to Cuban Yordenis Ugas.

Pacquiao, who first joined politics as a lawmaker in 2010 before being elected to the Senate, announced last week that he will run for President of the Philippines.

Earlier the boxing star responded to critics questioning his qualifications for the presidency, explaining that his personal life experience will help him understand people’s suffering and fight poverty and corruption.

“In my whole life, I have not backed down on any fight,” stressed Pacquiao. “I am a fighter, and I will always be a fighter inside and outside the ring,” he added.