For winning the North American Boxing Federation featherweight crown over the weekend in New York, Marvin Sonsona earned the No. 4 rating in the 126-lb class in the latest rankings released by the World Boxing Council (WBC).
Sonsona carved out a split decision over Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. of Puerto Rico at Madison Square Garden and put himself in a prime position to challenge reigning champion Johnny Gonzalez of Mexico.
Aside from Sonsona, ten other Filipinos barged into the top 15 in their respective divisions with former world titleholder Malcolm Tunacao rated at No. 5 in the super-flyweight (115 lbs) category.
Two other Filipinos joined Tunacao, Sonny Boy Jaro at No. 12 and Arthur Villanueva, the current Orient kingpin, at No. 15, in the weight class ruled by Carlos Cuadras of Mexico.
Also making the grade include Froilan Saludar (No. 6), Rey Megrino (No. 9), Renan Trongco (No. 11) and Johnreil Casimero (No. 12) in the fl yweight (112 lbs) division manned by Japanese Akira Yaegashi.
In the light-fly (108 lbs) ranks, there were three Filipinos who cracked the top 15: Jonathan Taconing (No. 4), Rey Loreto (No, 6) and Legada Singwangcha (No. 7).
The WBC is headquartered in Mexico City and is headed by Mauricio Sulaiman. (Nick Giongco)
