MANNY PACQUIAO could not stop crying after failing to cope with being a retired boxer.

The Filipino great hung up his gloves in August 2021 following defeat to Yordenis Ugas.

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Manny Pacquiao could not stop crying after retiring from boxing[/caption]

But after a failed presidential campaign in the Philippines and a couple of exhibition bouts – Pacquiao is returning.

And PacMan – who won honours in EIGHT divisions – opened up on his emotional struggles after retiring from the sport.

He said: “That moment when I announced I was hanging up my gloves four years ago, I was so sad.

“I couldn’t avoid the tears coming out of my eyes. I really missed boxing.

“For however many months, I was like, I’m not a boxer anymore?'”

Pacquiao was beaten in the 2022 presidential election and then failed in a bid for a second run as a senator this year.

So he is now fully focusing on boxing after juggling pugilism with politics throughout his career and retirement.

Pacquiao said: “Right now, the book of politics is closed. It’s not even in my mind. I’m focusing on my career as a boxer again.

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“I can still do my job in boxing. I’m not done yet. The fire, the determination, the eagerness to train and work hard, it’s still there. It’s amazing.”

Pacquiao faced Korean YouTuber DK Yoo in a 2022 exhibition in the first sign he was making a comeback.

He then returned last July for another exhibition, against Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo in Tokyo.

And despite not winning since 2019 – SIX YEARS AGO– talks were ongoing behind the scenes for a world title shot.

Before long, it was announced that Pacquiao, at 46, will challenge for Mario Barrios’ WBC welterweight title.

Per WBC rules, a contender must be ranked within their top 15 in order to be eligible for a championship bout.

So it came as little surprise when Pacquiao sneaked back into the WBC’s top five in mid May – despite his absence from the ring.

Boxing’s oldest world champ of all time is Bernard Hopkins, who won a world title aged 49.

And Pacquiao said: “It would mean a lot for me to become world champion again.

“Manny Pacquiao is always giving surprises to the fans. That’s my passion and it’s really important to me.

“I want everyone to be happy with this fight. My goal is to leave a legacy to the boxing fans.

“I want to inspire the young generation who are dreaming of becoming a champion.

“July 19 is gonna be a lot of action. There’s a lot of great fights on this card.

“I know what Barrios is capable of and I know that we can entertain the fans.”

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Pacquiao challenges for Mario Barrios WBC welterweight world title[/caption]

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EIGHTIES A-ha pin-up Morten Harket has Parkinson’s disease.

The Take On Me crooner, 65, said: “I’ve got no problem accepting the diagnosis.”

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Morten Harket has revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease[/caption]

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The A-ha singer acknowledged it cover affect his pop career[/caption]

The star added: “Part of me wanted to reveal it. Acknowledging the diagnosis wasn’t a problem for me; it’s my need for peace and quiet to work that has been stopping me.

“I’m trying the best I can to prevent my entire system from going into decline.

“It’s a difficult balancing act between taking the medication and managing its side effects.

“There’s so much to weigh up when you’re emulating the masterful way the body handles every complex movement, or social matters and invitations, or day-to-day life in general.”

Parkinson’s disease is caused by the loss of dopamine-producing cells in the brain and affects communication between neurons in the brain and muscles.

Although the disease is not fatal, victims’ condition gradually worsens over time.

It is the most widespread – and the fastest-spreading – neurological condition in the world.

Last year Norway-based Morten underwent neurosurgical procedures in which electrodes were implanted deep inside both sides of his brain. The procedure meant many of his physical symptoms practically vanished.

He is still able to drive his boat – but is worried about being able to sing for much longer. And hits not yet released may never be heard by fans.

The star, whose hits included Scoundrel Days, Summer Moved On and Stay On These Roads, said: “The problems with my voice are one of many grounds for uncertainty about my creative future.”

He added: “I don’t feel like singing, and for me that’s a sign.

“I’m broadminded in terms of what I think works; I don’t expect to be able to achieve full technical control.

“The question is whether I can express myself with my voice. As things stand now, that’s out of the question. But I don’t know whether I’ll be able to manage it at some point in the future.”

Looking forward he bravely said: “I was always meant to do different things, but I’ve ended up with a fairly permanent position as singer in a band.

“When I say that my identity isn’t about being a singer, that’s my direct response. It comes straight from the heart.

“People associate me with it, naturally enough, and I realize that. I see singing as my responsibility, and at certain moments I think it’s absolutely fantastic that I get to do it.

“But I’ve got other passions too, I have other things that are just as big a part of me, that are just as necessary and true.”

The star told fans: “Don’t worry about me. Find out who you want to be – a process that can be new each and every day.

“Be good servants of nature, the very basis of our existence, and care for the environment while it is still possible to do so. Spend your energy and effort addressing real problems, and know that I am being taken care of.

“For a few years now I’ve been working on songs that I’ve got great belief in, and I feel the lyrics, especially, have something of a different aspect of me in them.

“I’m not sure if I’ll be able to finish them for release. Time will tell if they make it.

“I really like the idea of just going for it, as a Parkinson’s patient and an artist, with something completely outside the box.

“It’s all up to me, I just have to get this out of the way first.”

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The star has opened up on living with the illness[/caption]

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Morten with his A-ha bandmates[/caption]

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Morten expressed fears that some of his tracks could go unheard as a result of the condition[/caption]