LAS VEGAS — Mauricio Sulaiman rallied behind the status of Manny Pacquiao as challenger to the World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight title on Saturday at the MGM Grand.

“The WBC acknowledged his greatness and his legendary status and the WBC approved it for the title because has a license in Nevada and he passed all the medical examinations,” Sulaiman told the Filipino media contingent on Thursday.

“Manny Pacquiao is very special to the WBC. He won his first world title at flyweight many years ago and he is coming back at age 46 and trying to retire as a WBC champion and I am humbled by that,” said Sulaiman, referring to Pacquiao’s triumph when he knocked out Chatchai Sasakul in Bangkok to win the 112-pound title by knockout in 1998.

Pacquiao’s selection as a WBC 147-pound title challenger was criticized two months ago by some sectors of the boxing community.

But Sulaiman put up a strong defense to all the criticisms citing Pacquiao’s exemplary track record as one of the main reasons why he was given the green light to vie for the world title at age 46.

Sulaiman arrived here to play a special role in the Pacquiao-Barrios championship bout and he has also requested Miguel Elorde to help him.

A member of the WBC’s Ratings Committee, Elorde, grandson of the legendary Flash Elorde, is in town with his parents Johnny and Liza Elorde to show their support for Pacquiao.