By Mark Vester

One of the more interesting happenings during the WBO's annual convention, currently taking place in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is the appointment of Marco Antonio Barrera to the number-one ranking position in the lightweight ratings. Barrera's promoter Don King petitioned to have Barrera added to the lightweight rankings and several reports note that Barrera was placed in the top spot, which puts him right in line for a title bout with champion Nate Campbell.

Campbell, also holder of the WBA and IBF titles at 135, is set to make a defense of the IBF crown in his next ring appearance against Ali Funeka.

After losing to Manny Pacquiao in their 2007 rematch and announcing his retirement soon afterwards, Barrera would begin making plans for a return a few months later. Barrera would cut his ties with Golden Boy Promotions in the middle-point of this year and sign a deal with King for the sole purpose of landing a fight with Campbell. Barrera wants to become the first Mexican to win titles in four weight divisions, and Campbell has three of those titles.

Campbell's status is unknown and there is no set deadline of when he will return to the ring. He recently filed for bankruptcy, which may have severed his promotional contract with King. The purse bid for his fight with Funeka is coming up, but nobody knows what will happen since the bankruptcy issue is still ongoing. Because Barrera has been placed in the top spot, he is positioned to fight for the vacant title if Campbell chooses to vacate, or he may land an interim-title fight while waiting for a shot. Joan Guzman previously held the number one position, but was unable to make weight for his September bout with Campbell and the fight was canceled. The WBO would still credit Campbell as making his mandatory obligation because he was ready to fight and made weight.

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