SEVEN FILIPINO fighters ? led by superstar Manny Pacquiao ? made it to the latest ratings released by the World Boxing Council (WBC) from its headquarters in Mexico City.
Pacquiao is listed No. 1 challenger in the super-featherweight class ruled by one-time victim Marco Antonio Barrera of Mexico, who is engaging Rocky Juarez of the US in a rematch on Sept. 16.
If Barrera prevails and Pacquiao emerges victorious once again against Erik “El Terrible” Morales in their rubber match on Nov. 18, Barrera and Pacquiao are sure to face off in a megabuck rematch in February or March next year.
Interestingly, Morales is not ranked in the 130-lb category but is listed as No. 1 in the lightweight bracket of 135 lbs.
Joining Manny in the power-packed 130-lb division is younger brother Bobby, who is at No. 4.
Bobby is the reigning WBC Continental Americas champion and is coming off a devastating knockout win over ex-titlist Kevin Kelley.
Manny is the reigning WBC International champion in the division and is fresh from repulsing the challenge of Oscar Larios of Mexico.
Other Filipinos who made the grade in the WBC?s July 2006 ratings include No. 1 and mandatory light-fly contender Juanito Rubillar of the Bebot Elorde Stable. Rubillar is raring to get a title crack against Hawaiian of Filipino descent Brian Viloria; strawweight Rodel Mayol (No. 2), bantam Malcolm Tunacao (No. 4) and Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista (No. 7); and super-fly Z Gorres (No. 8).
