Manny Pacquiao has confirmed his candidacy for the Philippine presidency

“The time has come and we are ready to face the challenge,” the 42-year-old Filipino boxing star declared, accepting President Rodrigo Duterte as the party’s dissident faction’s candidate.

Pacquiao, also known as “Back Man”, the only boxer to have won the world title in eight different weight categories, is the perennial pride of the Philippines.

The boxer decided to apply a few weeks after his last professional fight, On August 22, in Las Vegas, he was defeated by Cuba Jordanis Ugas.

Manny Pacquiao entered politics in 2010, when he was elected vice president, before becoming senator in 2016. He created controversy for his statements in favor of the death penalty and against homosexuality.

But he was very popular in his country, where his generosity and path to success, born in extreme poverty, provoked much admiration.

As a child, he lived on the streets in January 1995 for 1,000 pesos, just over $ 20, before embarking on professional boxing. He was then able to amass more than $ 500 million in wealth.