By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Ring Magazine Editor-in-Chief Nigel Collins says Filipino ring idol and national treasure Manny Pacquiao has jumped to the No.1 spot in the 130 pound ratings displacing Marco Antonio Barrera who dropped to No.2 but that Pacquiao is not yet considered the champion.
In an email to Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today Collins said the Ring’s 130 pound title “remains vacant” and a report in a widely-circulated Philippine newspaper that Pacquiao was the champion in the super featherweight division was incorrect.
Collins explained that “any bout to fill a Ring championship vacancy has to involve the No.1 contender and the No.2 contender” and this means “it can be filled by a rematch between Pacquiao and Barrera.”
The editor-in-chief of Ring Magazine which is regarded as the “Bible of Boxing” said that Pacquiao jumped from the No.3 spot in its super featherweight rankings to No.1 as a result of Pacquiao’s knockout of Morales last February 22.
The Filipino southpaw with the devastating punching power also jumped from No. 5 to No.3 in Ring’s pound-for-pound rankings.
