INQUIRER Sports Top 7 Stories of 2019: Pacquiao turns back time anew

There were no shortage of drama, celebrations and iconic moments this year in Philippine sports and there were some that stood out from the rest.

For the next several days, INQUIRER.net runs down the top 7 sports stories of 2019.

Kicking off the list is a man who needs no introduction.

They say Father Time is undefeated, but Manny Pacquiao appeared to have found the fountain of youth and it doesn’t seem like he’s slowing down anytime soon after delivering a pair of fine performances in 2019.

Pacquiao just turned 41 years old last week and it was only five months ago when he dealt a much younger opponent in Keith Thurman his first loss to claim the WBA (Super) welterweight title.

FILE – Manny Pacquiao, reacts after knocking down Keith Thurman in the first round during a welterweight title fight Saturday, July 20, 2019, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Facing an undefeated champion who is bigger and 10 years his junior, Pacquiao made an early statement with a first-round knockdown on his way to winning by split decision, a result many thought didn’t do justice to how much he dominated the fight.

The masterful win over Thurman makes up just one half of the Filipino ring legend’s impressive year.

The other was his 12-round demolition of Adrien Broner last January in his first fight in the US since 2016.

Pacquiao announced his return in style with a vintage showing to earn a lopsided victory.

FILE – Manny Pacquiao, right, hits Adrien Broner during their WBA welterweight title boxing match Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

The sport’s only eight-division champion plans to return to the ring early next year with the likes of Danny Garcia, Mikey Garcia and Errol Spence Jr., who is the IBF and WBC welterweight champion, on his shortlist of possible opponents.