Pacquiao files certificate of candidacy in Manila

Former boxing legend Manny Pacquiao on Friday registered his presidential candidacy for Philippines elections next May. 

The eight-division world champion and Philippine senator announced his retirement from the ring on Wednesday ending his 26-year career. He won 12 world titles and is the only fighter in history to win titles in eight different weight classes. 

Senator Manny Pacquiao said Today I am announcing my retirement...I never thought that this day would come. As I hang up my boxing gloves, I would like to thank the whole world, especially the Filipino people for supporting Manny Pacquiao. Goodbye boxing.

He has promised to fight poverty and warned corrupt politicians. He made his professional boxing debut as a junior flyweight in 1995 at the age of 16, fighting his way out of abject poverty to become one of the world’s highest-paid athletes.