By Elisinio Castillo

Although Chris Algieri and Lucas Matthysse are the top two contenders under the WBO at 140-pounds, WBO lightweight champion Terence Crawford is already in position to fight for the vacant WBO junior welterweight title.

After his last defense of the WBO title at 135-pound, Crawford announced that he was moving up in weight. Matthysse, who is ranked at number two, is pushing to get a shot at the belt, but WBO President Francisco Varcarcel says Crawford is ahead of him in the line.

show  to clarify whats is likely to happen with the WBO vacant junior welterweight title. Varcalcel said:

"[The title was vacated when] Chris Algieri entered into a fight against Pacquiao. [Algieri] appealed the vacancy and that matter will be resolved later this month, on whether he continues to hold the title or not. In the mean time, Terence Crawford has priority over Matthysse to access a title shot in event he moves up in weight," Varcacel told Argentine radio show Campeones En El Ring.