The WBO released their latest set of rankings this week, with a surprise omission in the welterweight division in the shape of eight-time World champion Manny Pacquiao.
Pacquiao, a three-time WBO World welterweight champion, is due to face Lucas Matthysse next weekend in Kuala Lumpur for the WBA ‘Regular’ World welterweight title, despite being without a win since outpointing Jessie Vargas in November 2016.
Now 39-years-old, many in the boxing community see Matthysse as Pacquiao’s final chance at a big-money swansong, with rumoured potential opponents Terence Crawford and Amir Khan laying in wait for the Filipino ring legend.
However, with Crawford holding the WBO title after a dominant ninth round stoppage victory over Australian Jeff Horn last month – and Pacquiao’s subsequent removal from the rankings – it would appear that a bout between the respective past and present stalwarts of Bob Arum’s stable may have to have for a potential showdown.
See below for the latest WBO welterweight rankings:
1. Custio Calyton
2. Egidijus Kavaliauskas
3. Jessie Vargas
4. Adrien Broner
5. Giovanni Santillan
6. Roberto Arriaza
7. Kudratillo Abdukakhorov
8. Mikka Shonena
9. Jeff Horn
10. Kerman Lejarraga
11. Kudratillo Abdukakhorov
12. Thomas LaManna
13. Alvin Lugumbay
14. Rashidi Ellis
15. Karen Chukhadzhyan
