By REYNALD MAGALLON
Filipino boxing Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao landed at the No.1 spot of the World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight rankings following a majority draw decision against reigning champion Mario Barrios last month.
In the list released by WBC on Aug. 8, Pacquiao actually improved four rungs from his previous ranking when the governing body installed him as the no.5 best fighter in the welterweight division after announcing his comeback fight.
While many doubted his capabilities especially at 46-years-old and coming off a four-year layoff, Pacquiao actually impressed in his fight against Barrios with not a few fans and enthusiasts believing he should have won the bout.
That also allowed Pacquiao (62-8-3 (39 KOs) to displace former world No.1 Souleymane Cissokho, 18-0 (9 KOs), who topped Egidijus Kavaliauskas by unanimous decision in May.
With his leap to the No.1 spot, a rematch with Barrios is now a possibility although the camp of Pacquiao have already said that it liked the matchup against Rolly Romero, Gervonta Davis or Ryan Garcia.
