MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday declared that he intends to continue fighting, despite suffering a shock defeat in his most recent bout.

In an Instagram post, Pacquiao announced: "I love this sport and until the passion is gone, I will continue to fight for God, my family, my fans and my country."

I love this sport and until the passion is gone, I will continue to fight for God, my family, my fans and my country. A post shared by Manny Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) on Jul 11, 2017 at 9:18pm PDT

Pacquiao contemplated retirement after losing via unanimous decision to unheralded Australian Jeff Horn last July 2 in Brisbane, a result that saw him drop his WBO welterweight belt.

It was his first defeat since bowing to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the "Fight of the Century" in May 2015.

Pacquiao endorsed a request made by the Games and Amusements Board to the World Boxing Organization to review the fight. On Tuesday, however, independent judges tasked by the WBO to re-score the bout upheld Horn's win.

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