Manny Pacquiao reacts after his WBC welterweight title fight against Mario Barrios at MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 19, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight was declared a majority draw and Barrios retained his title. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines–After a stellar showing in his comeback fight, Manny Pacquiao climbed to No. 1 contender in the latest World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight rankings.
The Filipino boxing icon was previously rated at No. 5 when he unretired at 46 years old to challenge WBC champion Mario Barrios last July 20.
READ: Manny Pacquiao says he’s fighting again in December
While Pacquiao rose to the top of the WBC ratings, many believe that he should’ve been the champion.
Barrios barely hung on to keep his belt after he and Pacquiao battled to a majority draw.
The outcome didn’t sit well with the majority of spectators, including several analysts and champion fighters.
Just weeks after going toe-to-toe with Barrios, Pacquiao is already planning to fight again in December.
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The Hall-of-Famer and boxing’s only eight-division champion has several options for his next bout with the likes of WBA welterweight champion Rolly Romero and Gervonta Davis a possibility. A rematch with Barrios is also on the table.
Pacquiao, who turns 47 years old on December 17, returned to the country on Thursday after spending a vacation in Postano, Italy with wife Jinkee.
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