THE MEXICO-BASED World Boxing Council has officially sanctioned this Sunday’s 12-round fight between Manny Pacquiao and Hector Velazquez as a battle for the vacant WBC International super featherweight title.
The WBC has apparently decided to award the belt to the Pacquiao-Velazquez winner after Erik Morales, its former holder, relinquished it to fight for another WBC belt.
Morales won the WBC International super featherweight crown after his epic 12-round win over Pacquiao last March.
Now Morales is gunning for the vacant WBC International lightweight crown against Zahir Raheem in another 12-round rumble serving as the co-main event of the “Double Trouble” Sunday.
The Tijuana native’s decision to move up in weight is in line with his plan to challenge the winner of the Diego Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo WBC/WBO lightweight showdown on Oct. 8.
But if Pacquiao and Morales hurdle their respective foes on Sunday, the plan is to pit them for a Jan. 21 pay-per-view rematch.
The WBC International title is disputed by boxers rated No. 11 and up. The boxing body’s regular super featherweight title is being held by Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera, who won it at the expense of Morales last year.
Barrera is the same world-famous fighter who was beaten by Pacquiao in a non-title clash two years ago.
Yesterday, Pacquiao did a light workout at the Wild Card Gym with trainer Freddie Roach before heading to the Los Angeles airport to fetch his wife Jinky. Salven L. Lagumbay, contributor
