WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman owns up to Manny Pacquaio world ranking error

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has admitted that the governing body's decision to install Manny Pacquaio at No.5 was a mistake, but says a likely decision to remove him from the spot won't affect his world title showdown with Mario Barrios.

The 46-year-old Filipino hasn't fought since being comprehensively beaten by Yordenis Ugas in 2021 but has still managed to elevate himself above arguably more worthy and active contenders to secure a clash with the WBC welterweight world title holder.

Since confirmation of the blockbuster July 19 bout was made official, there has been uproar across the boxing world with many questioning how the fighting veteran has been able to seal a fight of such magnitude despite having not won a fight in five years, whilst others have brought into question the health of Pacquaio, who is 16 years older than his opponent.

However, despite that, and the WBC's subsequent admission of a world ranking error, Sulaiman has told Fight Hub TV that the fight will still go on as planned in Las Vegas this summer.

"The World Boxing Council regulations allow legendary boxers who receive a license from a boxing commission and who pass all their exams to compete for the title," he said.

We made a mistake in ranking him number five, and that caused confusion among the media and fans, obviously saying, 'Why is he ranked if he hasn’t fought?'

- Mauricio Sulaiman (Fight Hub TV)

"What happened is that permission was granted, the fight was authorised, and we’ll talk again on July 20 to see how it went.

"I think we’re going to remove him from the rankings with the clarification that he will fight based on the regulations.”

Pacquaio remains the only eight-weight world champion in boxing history and whilst there will be those excited by his upcoming return, others, including esteemed trainer David Caldwell, believe Pacquaio should have had to earn his world title opportunity.

"Everyone has a right to do what they want and if people want to have a run at being a world champion, that's fine, but have a few fights and let's see if you deserve an opportunity like this," he said last month.

"I've had people messaging me on social media about this after putting my thoughts on there, people saying 'don't you know who Manny Pacquaio is?

"Alright, but what was Mike Tyson doing messing around with Jake Paul, why didn't he come back and f****** fight Oleksandr Usyk!

"Legend or not, this is b******s - it's a bad look for the sport and this is where you are going into YouTube / Misfits territory, which is dangerous."

Mark Mothershaw

• Mario Barrios v Manny Pacquaio
• Manny Pacquaio
• Mario Barrios
• • 
  •