By Rey Danseco

THE winner in the return bout between Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales on January 21 in Las Vegas, Nevada, is assured of a mandatory shot against World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight king Marco Antonio Barrera.

This is based upon a decision made before the conclusion of the 43rd annual WBC convention in La Linea de la Concepcion, Spain on Thursday (Friday in Manila).

The fight between No. 1 ranked Erik Morales of Mexico and No. 2 ranked Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines was approved as a final eliminator, the WBC declared.

Barrera, on the other hand, while he is waiting for another fight with either his two previous foes, will be allowed to pick up opponent with his throne on the line or not.

Despite fighting before a hostile crowd, Pacquiao sent Barrera into submission in the 11th round of their well-publicized bout on Nov. 15, 2004 at Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

The victory against the great Mexican warrior put Pacquiao into stardom and mega-buck bouts. But he lost to Morales, who lose twice in three meetings with Barrera, the last loss was over 12 rounds in a pay-per-view event at MGM Grand in Las Vegas in 2004.

Top ranked Juanito Rubillar will be the next Filipino to be in the limelight after he gained what he expected when he was officially assigned as first challenger of newly crowned WBC light flyweight champion Brian Viloria in an all-Filipino championship bout.

On the other hand, unbeaten OPBF champion Rodel Mayol, who nicknamed is “Kid Rapido” is unlucky to be involved in eliminator against NABF boss Lorenzo Trejo of Mexico.

The survivor in Mayol-Trejo fight will meet whoever the WBC minimumweight champ is at the time of their bout. Reigning champion Eagle Kyowa of Japan will make a voluntary defense against Masaki Nakanuma on January 3.

The WBC ranks Mayol No. 1 while Trejo is just below him.