When Manny Pacquiao entered the post-fight press conference at the T-Mobile Arena, he still held his head up.
Despite being bruised and coming off one of the toughest losses in his career, Pacquiao was just grateful in a prepared speech that sounded more of a farewell than a what’s next.
“I look forward to spending time with my family and thinking about my future in boxing. I want to thank all my fans that came to see me fight tonight.
“For how many decades, the press and the media all have been behind us, supporting us. That is why we are here and became popular,” expressed the 42-year-old boxer and lawmaker. “We accomplished our dream as a fighter because of you.
“I am a fighter inside and outside the ring. I look forward to getting back to the Philippines and serving the Filipino people as this pandemic continues to affect millions in the Philippines,” he continued.
Definitely, it has been a wild ride from Pacquiao, who grew up in a second-class municipality Kibawe but ended up being groomed and molded by the world.
Amassing a 32-2 record, Pacquiao seized an opportunity of a lifetime by stepping up against Lehlohonolo Ledwaba in June 23, 2001. He viciously knocked out the South African in the sixth round to win the IBF super bantamweight title.
Since then, Pacquiao faced and took down legends like Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales, Oscar Dela Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, and Shane Mosley. And who would ever forget the “Fight of the Century” against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Photo courtesy of Top Rank images
All in all, Pacquiao won belts in eight weight divisions — the only boxer ever to do so. Sans his bout against Yordenis Ugas, he has also amassed a total of 20,151,000 pay-per-view buys and has collected millions of dollars in prize money.
If this was it, Pacquiao has no regrets.
“In the future, you may not see Manny Pacquiao again to fight in the ring. I don’t know but for many decades, I’m happy with what I have done in boxing. I have contributed a record in boxing also and put boxing in the top and bring honor to my country,” he said.
“I’m so proud to be a Filipino.”
