Manny Pacquiao announces retirement from boxing to focus on running for Philippines president

Manny Pacquiao has announced his retirement from boxing to focus on his political career.

The multi-division world champion is a senator in his native Philippines and has already confirmed his intention to run for president in the country's elections in 2022.

Pacquiao, 42, retires with a record of 62 wins, eight defeats and two draws.

"I just heard the final bell. Boxing is over," said an emotional Pacquiao in a 14-minute video posted on his official social media pages.

"I never thought this day would come as a I hang up my boxing gloves.”

Pacquiao’s last defeat came against Cuba's Yordenis Ugas in Las Vegas last month.

He described retiring as the "hardest decision" of his life and said boxing had given him "the chance to fight my way out of poverty" and "the courage to change more lives".

Pacquiao is regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time, having won 12 different titles across eight weight divisions.