The World Boxing Council (WBC) continued to rank eight-division legend Manny Pacquiao in its rankings, listing the Filipino icon as its third-best fighter in the welterweight division.
Pacquiao, who nearly won the WBC 147-pound crown last July when he drew with Mario Barrios in Las Vegas, used to occupy the top spot.
In place of Pacquiao in the latest ratings released during the WBC convention in Bangkok is British banger Conor Benn, who beat rival Chris Eubank in a recent title eliminator.
Still, Pacquiao remains highly-rated despite his slight drop.
Also making the grade in the latest list are Filipinos Mark Magsayo (No. 1) and Charly Suarez (No. 11) in the super-feather ranks of 130 pounds.
In Naoya Inoue’s world, only former two-belt titleholder Marlon Tapales made it at No. 3 while reigning Orient-Pacific Boxing Federation champion Kenneth Llover is No. 9 in the bantamweight class.
JayR Raquinel, meanwhile, is No. 6 at super-flyweight while Jessie Espi as is No. 12 at flyweight and Arvin Paciones is at No. 14 at flyweight.
In the lightly-fly category, there are three rated: Regie Suganob (No. 8), Arvin Magramo (No. 9) and Christian Araneta (No. 11).
Over strawweight, where Melvin Jerusalem is the champion, there are four Filipinos listed.
They are Joseph Sumabong (No. 6), Vic Saludar (No. 7), Ian Abne (No. 20) and Shane Gentallan (No. 13).
The WBC Ratings Committee is made up of members from across the world and one of its members is Filipino Juan Miguel Elorde, the grandson of the late Filipino great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde.
Through the years, a vast majority of the finest Filipino champions once held WBC straps.
Pacquiao leads the elite cast that also included Nonito Donaire, Luisito Espinosa, Gerry Peñalosa, Rolando Navarrete, Erbito Salavarria and Frank Cedeño.