Pacquiao ranked WBC No. 1

For proving to the world recently that age is just a number, Manny Pacquiao has been ranked No. 1 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) in its August 2025 ratings.

Pacquiao’s installation on top of the 147-pound class in the WBC came on the heels of his exemplary performance against 30-year-old defending champion Mario Barrios last month in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao, 46, battled Barrios to a majority draw at the MGM Grand in a fight many thought should have been awarded to the Filipino eight-division legend.

“Yeah, he’s at No. 1 but really, he should be the champion,” lamented MP Promotions chief Sean Gibbons on Saturday, who still hasn’t gotten over the heartbreaking result.

Meanwhile, Gibbons is meeting with WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman in Mexico City to discuss the Thrilla in Manila 50th-year anniversary celebration on 29 October at the Araneta Coliseum.

The plan is to stage at least two world title fights, including the third defense of Melvin Jerusalem’s WBC strawweight title against Mexican Daniel Valladares.

Also being eyed is the second defense of Pedro Taduran’s International Boxing Federation minimumweight crown against Filipino Richard Balunan.

Likewise appearing in the same event are top super-featherweight Mark Magsayo, Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial, and Carl Jammes Martin.