Manny Pacquiao remains inside the WBC welterweight rankings despite approaching a full year out of the ring.
The Filipino icon is currently ranked number eight in the latest WBC welterweight standings, almost eleven months after many observers believed he had done enough to defeat Mario Barrios in July 2025.
Pacquiao returned from retirement at the age of 46 and appeared to roll back the years against the defending champion.
Despite the majority draw verdict, the performance earned him a lofty ranking of number three in the WBC’s August 2025 ratings.
Less than a year later, he has slipped five places.
From Number Three to Number Eight
Pacquiao now sits behind contenders including Souleymane Cissokho, Raul Curiel, Alexis Rocha, and Conor Benn.
The former eight-weight world champion remains above Egidijus Kavaliauskas and Samuel Molina. However, the trend is clear.
Every month he remains inactive increases the likelihood of another drop down the rankings.
The 47-year-old has not fought since the Barrios bout and is now edging closer to the twelve-month mark without another appearance.
Waiting on Floyd
Pacquiao aimed to build momentum after the Barrios fight, but despite being linked to Rolando Romero, Ryan Garcia, and other welterweights, the boxing superstar appears to be holding out for a lucrative rematch with Floyd Mayweather.
World Boxing News recently revealed that September 25 and the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas have been reserved for the proposed showdown, with some form of WBC title or commemorative belt likely to be attached to the event.
By then, Pacquiao may have lost his rating completely due to being out for more than a year as the eight-weight king drops further down the pecking order with each passing month.
If the Mayweather fight does happen, Pacquiao could end up fighting in his most lucrative event for a decade despite slipping out of the rankings altogether.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of experience. He has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Read full bio.
