UNDEFEATED World Boxing Association featherweight champ Chris John of Indonesia says people’s champion Manny Pacquiao is the best featherweight today and hopes to fight the Filipino ring hero soon.
John claimed the WBA belt in October 2003 after Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez — who drew with Pacquiao in a controversial title bout in Las Vegas two months ago — was elevated to “super-champion” status, an honor bestowed to WBA champions holding another world crown.
Marquez had added the WBA crown to his International Boxing Federation title after defeating Derrick Gainer.
John (34-0, 19 KOs) won over Colombian Oscar Leon via a split decision in September last year in Bali, Indonesia to capture the WBA interim title.
When asked by Fightnews who he thinks is the best featherweight in the planet today, John was unequivocal: “Pacquiao, of course. He’s rated No. 1 in the world. I have seen his fights and he’s really great. All fighters in the featherweight division are great. (Marco Antonio) Barrera is also still there. Just recently, he TKO’d (Paulie) Ayala.”
Team Pacquiao is currently negotiating for a mammoth rematch with Barrera, whom he crushed last year.
