Tapales leads latest WBC ratings

After forcing Naoya Inoue to go 10 rounds with him, Marlon Tapales was listed at No. 3 in the super-bantamweight division as the World Boxing Council released its latest ratings from its Mexico City-based headquarters.

Tapales had challenged Inoue in a four-belt unification showdown last 26 December in Tokyo and his gallant showing may have convinced the WBC Ratings Committee to give him a nice spot in the 122-lb roster of potential title challengers and contenders.

Just ahead of Tapales are Mexicans Luis Nery and Alan Picasso at Nos. 1 and 2, respectively.

A notch below Tapales is Murodjon Akhmadaliev of Uzbekistan.

If Tapales stays busy and keeps on winning, he might find himself vying for the WBC crown in the event Inoue goes up in weight by late this year or early-2025.

Interestingly, John Riel Casimero, who many believe has what it takes to beat Inoue, is down the line at No. 8.

Meanwhile, 14 other Filipino fighters made the list in various weight classes.

Ex-world champion Mark Magsayo is at No. 7 in the super-featherweight class being ruled by O'Shaquie Foster of the United States.

At bantamweight, there are two rated: Vincent Astrolabio (No. 2) and Froilan Saludar (No. 7).

Jay-R Raquinel is the lone entry at super-flyweight at No. 5 while knockout artist Miel Fajardo is at No. 9. and Dave Apolinario is at No. 15.

Regie Suganob and Marco John Rementizo, meanwhile, make up the Philippine presence at light-fly at Nos. 9 and 12, respectively.

In boxing's lightest division — minimumweight — there are six ranked.

They are Joey Canoy (No. 3), Pedro Taduran (No. 4), Melvin Jerusalem (No. 6), Jake Amparo (No. 9), Garen Diagan (No, 10) and Rene Mark Cuarto (No. 12).