Randy Suico nosedives to number 10 from his former lofty ranking of number 3 super featherweight while Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista rises to number 10 from number 18 bantamweight in the WBC's latest September rankings in what turned out to be a contrasting change of fate for the Philippines' two top boxing prospects.
Randy Suico had earlier tasted his second defeat in 25 fights in the hands of former IBF lightweight champion Javier Jauregui of Mexico on September 23 at USC Lyon Center in Los Angeles. Bautista, on the other hand, scored a spectacular 3rd round knockout against Felix Flores Murillo of Columbia for his 17th consecutive win in the undercard of the Morales-Pacquiao double header on September 10 at Staples Center, also in Los Angeles, California.
Suico was reported to be going to Australia to train for his upcoming fight to defend his OPBF title before going back to America to continue his campaign against the world's top super featherweights. Bautista, meanwhile, was reported to be fighting in November to defend his WBO Asia-Pacific bantanweight belt either in Bohol or at the Big Dome in Cubao, Quezon City.
Meanwhile, Fil-Am Brian Viloria is now listed as the new WBC light flyweight champion after he defeated former champion Eric Ortiz of Mexico on September 10. Viloria was mandated to face Filipino Juanito Rubillar who moved up as the division's number 1 contender.
In other developments, Manny Pacquiao remained at number 2 behind number 1 Erik Morales whose upcoming fight by these two pound-for-pound greats on January 21 next year was declared by the WBC as an eliminator for the right to challenge the reigning super featherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera.
The country's other top prospect, Rodel Mayol, the WBC's number 1 contender in the minimumweight division was mandated to face number 2 Lorenzo Trejo of Mexico in an eliminator to decide who will be the next challenger of the crown currently being held by Japan-resident Thailander Eagle Kyowa.
Also, Diosdado Gabi is now at number 4 flyweight (from number 5) and Z Gorres improved to 23 from number 29 super fly.
Click here to view the WBC's complete September rankings.
Click here for a complete listing of Filipino boxers' rankings from different boxing organizations.
Comments
Share your thoughts on the above article by Dong Secuya.