Manny Pacquiao has won 57 fights as a boxer. At right is President Benigno Aquino. 

AFP/Manila

Philippine boxing hero Manny Pacquiao announced on Wednesday he would likely retire next year after one last fight so he could focus on a career in politics, hopefully as a senator.

The born-again Christian, winner of an unprecedented eight world titles in as many weight divisions and at times touted as a future president of the Philippines, said he had taken career advice from God.

"I think I'm ready (to retire). I've been in boxing for more than 20 years," Pacquiao, 36, said in an interview on local ABS-CBN television network.

"I prayed to God for guidance and I am happy about it."

Pacquiao turned professional when he was 16 years old and has won 57 fights, including 38 knockouts while losing six, three of them knockouts. Two other bouts ended in a draw.

He lost a unanimous decision in May to unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather in boxing's richest bout, which the Filipino fought with a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder.

Pacquiao, a congressman since 2010, announced this week his bid for a senate seat in national elections to be held in May next year.

"I will have to give up the other things that require my attention. If you are a senator, your focus should only be your job and your family," he said in the interview.

Pacquiao said before the elections he planned to climb into the ring for what would probably be one last time, most likely in March.

He said he was yet to pick his next opponent, and was not ruling out a rematch with Mayweather, even though the American had already announced his retirement.

Rags to riches  

A rags-to-riches Philippine idol, Pacquiao, a former street vendor, has shrewdly parlayed his boxing success into a career in show business, product endorsements and politics.

Now representing his southern province of Sarangani in the lower chamber of congress, the pint-sized Pacquiao is also an improbable professional basketball player and a Christian pastor.

He was mercilessly criticised on social media this week after it was reported he had attended just four legislative sessions out of 70 this year due to sporting and other commitments.

Despite this, the latest pre-election surveys put him in the winning circle of the 12 senatorial slots up for grab at the polls.

Pacquiao pledged on Wednesday he would be a "serious" senator.

"I will not be absent because the whole country will be my responsibility," he said.

Political analyst Ramon Casiple said Pacquiao enjoyed a special "rapport" with the masses that would translate into electoral success.

"The perception is that he is approachable, he has an empathy for Filipinos," Casiple said.

But he warned that in the Senate, Pacquiao would be "under a microscope," with many people looking for signs that he was not working or did not understand the issues.

Pacquiao heads his own political party but hinted he would run for the Senate under the banner of Vice President Jejomar Binay, the current main opposition leader who is running for president in 2016.