Pinoy boxers fare well in mostlatest WBC ratings

CEBU, Philippines — Filipino boxers led by four-division world champion Nonito ‘The Filipino Flash’ Donaire Jr. and one-time world title challenger Melvin ‘El Gringo’ Jerusalem of the ALA Gym are faring well in the July rankings of the World Boxing Council (WBC) released yesterday.

Donaire stays at No.1 in the WBC bantamweight (118 lbs.) division while his compatriots Michael Dasmarinas, Arthur Villanueva and Reymart Gaballo are listed at No. 13, 24 and 28, respectively.

Donaire is set to challenge defending champion Nordine Oubaali of France before the year ends.

Jerusalem, on the other hand, remains the top contender in the minimumweight class. That earned him an outright shot at the WBC 105-pound throne vacated by Thai ring legend Wanheng Menayothin, who recently retired with an undefeated 54-0 career record.

Several other Pinoy minimumweights made it to the top 30 in the WBC list with Marco John Rementizo at No.6, Toto Landero at No.10, reigning Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) champion Lito Dante at No.15, Vince Paras at No.22, Joel Lino at No.24, Samuel Salva at No.27, and Robert Paradero at No.30.

In the light flyweight (108 lbs.) division, Edward Heno is ranked No.7, two notches ahead of former world champion Milan Melindo. Mark Vicelles is at No.11 followed by Jaysever Abcede (14), Randy Petalcorin (19), and Cebu’s unbeaten prospect Christian Araneta (No.23).

OPBF titleholder Jay-R Raquinel, Jonathan Taconing and Genesis Libranza occupy the 10th to 12th spots among WBC flyweights with Jayson Mama and Robert Alvarez at No.22 and No.26.

In the super flyweight (115 lbs.), NABF champ Jade Bornea is at No.16, while in the super bantamweight (122 lbs.) Jhunriel Ramonal is at No. 12 and ‘Magic’ Mike Plania, who stunned the boxing world with his majority decision upset of WBO top bantamweight contender Joshua ‘Don’t Blink’ Greer Jr. two weeks ago in Las Vegas, is at No.19.

In the featherweight (126 lbs.) category, Mark Magsayo is rated No.5 while former world champion Jhack ‘El Capitan’ Tepora is at No.23 and Jhon Gemino at No.28. EBV