Manny Pacquiao is forced to throw in the towel after fighting until the bitter end in his bid to become the next president of the Philippines.

The results of the 2022 Philippine Election saw Pacquiao place a distant third in the presidential race, prompting the current Senator and former eight-division champion to concede defeat late Tuesday evening. Pacquiao secured 3,629,547 votes (6.86%) with more than 98% of the polling precincts reporting results as of Wednesday morning, well behind likely winner Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., the son of former president and dictator Ferdinand Sr.

“The people have spoken,” Pacquiao declared in a two-minute concession speech addressing his people. “The election is over so let’s give unity a chance for the peace and development of our country. My decision to run was driven by my utmost desire to serve the country and uplift the lives of the poor Filipinos.

“From my years as a boxer, I know how to accept defeat. I hope that even though I lost this fight, my fellow Filipinos, especially the poor, can still win. Do not lose hope because our Lord will never forsake us.”

Pacquiao previously served as a two-term congressman before securing a seat in the Philippine Senate in 2016. His current term ends June 30, which he hoped to upgrade to president after announcing his bid last September—one week before confirming his official retirement from the ring.

For now, there are no firm future plans from Pacquaio (62-8-2, 39KOs) as a boxer or politician.

The legendary southpaw has not fought since a twelve-round, unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas (27-5, 12KOs) in their WBA welterweight title fight last August 21 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Pacquiao was originally due to face unbeaten WBC/IBF welterweight titlist Errol Spence Jr. (28-0, 22KOs), who was forced to withdraw due to retinal tear discovered less than two weeks from fight night.

Spence has since defeated Ugas via tenth-round stoppage in their WBA/WBC/IBF unification bout this past April 16 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. With the recent election results, speculation has already begun that the 43-year-old Pacquiao will soon announce a ring return whether to pursue a fight with Spence, WBO welterweight titlist Terence Crawford or any other welterweight of his choosing.

Those plans are not on the table, with those closest to him uncertain of his next move following the conclusion of his Senatorial term at the end of June. According to Pacquiao himself, much needed time with his family is the first order of business, though while always continuing to serve his beloved countryman.

“To my family, especially my wife Jinkee who was with me through the whole campaign—thank you for the support, the understanding and the love,” Pacquiao stated. “I love you all very much. To our next president Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., I pray for the success of your administration with the many difficulties ahead and the lives that are affected.

“I will take this opportunity to rest and spend more time with my family. I will definitely continue our mission to help the people through the Manny Pacquiao foundation. I will never turn my back on serving our nation and for those in need. Let’s continue to love the Philippines. Let’s unite to uplift one another. Thank you very much to my fellow Filipinos for this opportunity. You are all very much loved by Manny Pacquiao.”

Pacquiao remains boxing’s only ever eight-division champion, having won lineal championships and/or alphabet titles at flyweight, junior featherweight, featherweight, junior lightweight, lightweight, junior welterweight, welterweight and junior middleweight. The legendary Filipino is also in the Guinness Book of World Records as the only boxer ever to serve as champion in four separate decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s, 2020s).

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox