The World Boxing Council has officially ranked Manny Pacquiao as the No. 1 contender to reigning WBC super featherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera in its latest world ratings for February released Friday.
Previously No. 2, Pacquiao has swapped places with former top-ranked challenger Erik Morales, after the Filipino ring idol floored the Mexican hero twice in the 10th round en route to a technical knockout win on January 21 at Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pacquiao’s placement means he is assured of a mandatory shot against Barrera.
Hindrances to a return bout between “Pacman” and the Mexican champion, however, are evident.
Barrera aims to become the first Mexican to win titles in four different divisions by taking on his compatriot, International Boxing Federation lightweight boss Jesus Chavez, on March 25 in Las Vegas. His bout with the other boxing organization may force the WBC to strip him of the title.
Also, if the proposed grudge fight between Pacquiao and Morales goes through on September 16 at Sam Boyd Stadium also in Las Vegas, the Pacquiao-Barrera rematch would have to take places before the year ends or early 2007, with or without the WBC belt at stake.
Pacquiao has insisted that he doesn’t want to face anybody, particularly Morales, at 132 pounds because fighting over the super featherweight limit of 130 pounds might be costly for him.
Meanwhile, Unbeaten Orient-Pacific minimumweight king Rodel “Kid Rapido” Mayol and light flyweight Juanito Rubillar remained top-ranked contenders.
Both are mandated for title shots against WBC minimumweight king Eagle Kyowa and WBC light flyweight boss Brian Viloria—who defends the title against Mexico’s Jose Antonio Aguirre on Saturday in Las Vegas (Sunday in Manila)—within the year.
Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr., now based in Castro Valley, California, was the only Filipino entrant to the WBC rankings. He is currently No. 14 after winning the vacant North American Boxing Federation super flyweight belt via split decision over Armenian Kahren Harutyunyan on January 20 in Temecula, California.
OPBF super featherweight king Randy “Kamaong Maso” Suico has improved three places to No. 10 after his impressive fifth title defense with a 4th-round knockout of top ranked Japanese challenger Ryuhei Sugita on February 5 in Nagoya, Japan.
OPBF welterweight king Rev Santillan made the biggest jump 19 places to No. 14 after he regained the regional throne in a rematch with his tormentor Kazuhiko Hidaka on December 3 in Tokyo.
Six RP boxers has kept their standings, including flyweight Diosdado Gabi (No. 2), OPBF bantam boss Malcolm Tunacao (No. 5), Americas super featherweight king Bobby Pacquiao (No. 11), Eriberto Gejon (No. 11), super flyweight Z Gorres (No. 23), and featherweight Jimrex Jaca (No. 25).
