By Michelle Ewing, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
MANILA, Philippines — Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, an eight-division world champion, has announced his retirement from the sport.
Photos: Manny Pacquiao through the years Eight-division world boxing champion and Philippine Senator Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao announced his retirement from boxing on Sept. 29, 2021. Keep clicking to see more memorable moments from his career. (JP Yim/Getty Images)
Photos: Manny Pacquiao through the years 1996: A teenage Manny Pacquiao, the boxer who went on to become a world champion sensation. He is seen here at the LM Gym in Manila. (Gerhard Joren/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Photos: Manny Pacquiao through the years 2001: Manny Pacquiao and Lehlohonolo Ledwaba pose for pictures after the IBF Super Bantamweight Championship bout at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. (Jed Jacobsohn/Allsport/Getty Images)
Photos: Manny Pacquiao through the years 2002: Manny Pacquiao poses with his Ring Belt during a portrait session. (The Ring Magazine via Getty Images)
Photos: Manny Pacquiao through the years 2003: IBF Jr. Featherweight Champion Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines celebrates defeating Emmanuel Lucero to hold onto his title on July 26, 2003, at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. Manny Pacquiao won by knockout in the third round. (Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
Photos: Manny Pacquiao through the years 2004: Philippino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao, also known as Pacman, seen here in training at the Wild Card boxing gym in Manila. (Gerhard Joren/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Photos: Manny Pacquiao through the years 2005: Manny Pacquiao of the Phillipines hits Erik Morales of Mexico with a right hook during Morales' 15-13 unanimous decision win over Pacquiao during their World Super Feather-Weight Championship at the MGM Grand Hotel on March 19, 2005, in Las Vegas. (Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
Photos: Manny Pacquiao through the years 2006: Manny Pacquiao of the Phillippines celebrates after knocking out Erik Morales of Mexico in the 10th round during their Super Featherweight Championship fight at Thomas & Mack Arena on January 21, 2006, in Las Vegas. (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Photos: Manny Pacquiao through the years 2007: Philippine boxer Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao holds a poster advertising his upcoming title bout during a break in training at The Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles on April 5, 2007. (ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
Photos: Manny Pacquiao through the years 2008: Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines poses with his belts after he knocks out David Diaz during the ninth round of the WBC Lightweight Championship at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on June 28, 2008, in Las Vegas. (Harry How/Getty Images)
Photos: Manny Pacquiao through the years 2009: Manny Pacquiao throws a left at Miguel Cotto during their WBO welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 14, 2009, in Las Vegas. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Photos: Manny Pacquiao through the years 2010: Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines lands a punch against Antonio Margarito of Mexico during their WBC World Super Welterweight Title bout at Cowboys Stadium on November 13, 2010, in Arlington, Texas. (Nick Laham/Getty Images)
Photos: Manny Pacquiao through the years 2011: Juan Manuel Marquez throws a left to the face of Manny Pacquiao during the WBO world welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 12, 2011, in Las Vegas. (Harry How/Getty Images)
Photos: Manny Pacquiao through the years 2012: Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez exchange blows during their welterweight bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on December 8, 2012, in Las Vegas. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Photos: Manny Pacquiao through the years 2013: Manny Pacquiao takes part in a training session on October 9, 2013, in General Santos, Philippines. (Jeoffrey Maitem/Getty Images)
Photos: Manny Pacquiao through the years 2014: Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines and Chris Algieri of the United States exchange punches during the WBO world welterweight title at The Venetian on November 23, 2014, in Macau, Macau. (Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Photos: Manny Pacquiao through the years 2015: Floyd Mayweather Jr. throws a left at Manny Pacquiao during their welterweight unification championship bout on May 2, 2015, at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Photos: Manny Pacquiao through the years 2016: Manny Pacquiao (right) lands a left to the chin of Timothy Bradley Jr. during their welterweight championship fight on April 9, 2016, at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Pacquiao won by unanimous decision. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Photos: Manny Pacquiao through the years 2017: Manny Pacquiao poses for a portrait during a training session at the Elorde boxing Gym on May 19, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. (Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Photos: Manny Pacquiao through the years 2018: Manny Pacquiao (left) and Adrien Broner face off during a press conference at Gotham Hall in preparation for their upcoming match on November 19, 2018, in New York City. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Photos: Manny Pacquiao through the years 2019: Manny Pacquiao celebrates his split decision victory over Keith Thurman in their WBA welterweight title fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 20, 2019, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
Photos: Manny Pacquiao through the years 2021: Manny Pacquiao (right) hits Yordenis Ugas in the first round of their WBA welterweight title fight at T-Mobile Arena on August 21, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
“To the greatest fans and the greatest sport in the world, thank you!” he wrote in an accompanying tweet. “Thank you for all the wonderful memories. This is the hardest decision I’ve ever made, but I’m at peace with it. Chase your dreams, work hard, and watch what happens. Goodbye boxing.”
During his 26-year career, Pacquiao claimed 12 world titles, the AP reported. He won 62 matches and lost eight; two ended in draws.
The news came just over a week after Pacquiao announced he will run for president of the Philippines in the upcoming May 2022 election, according to the AP.
“I boldly accept the challenge of running as president of the Philippines,” he tweeted Sept. 19. “We need progress. We need to win against poverty. We need government to serve our people with integrity, compassion and transparency. The time is now. I am ready to rise to the challenge of leadership.”