Pacquiao top Mayweather contender

With his clear victory over Timothy Bradley in their grudge rematch on Saturday in Las Vegas, Manny Pacquiao vaulted back as top contender to American Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the latest pound-for-pound rankings of Ring Magazine in the welterweight division.

Pacquiao rebounded from seventh to fourth overall in the list, trailing Mayweather, World Boxing Association super middleweight champion Andre Ward, also of the US, and unified heavyweight titlist Wladimir Klitscho of Ukraine.

Pacquiao, now back in General Santos City, skidded to seventh overall in the pound-for-pound rankings and fifth among 147-pounders when he got knocked out cold by Juan Manuel Marquez with one second to go in the sixth round on Dec. 8, 2012.

When Pacquiao mastered Brandon Rios in his comeback fight last November in Macau, he hardly moved in the standings as skeptics said Rios’ style was tailor-fit for him.

But after regaining the World Boxing Organization welterweight crown from Bradley, who was rewarded by incompetent judges with a split decision in their first encounter in 2012, Pacquiao is a hot item once again.

Not only locally, but globally. More endorsements, including Korean giant car maker Kia, and commercials are likely to come for the Fighting Congressman from Sarangani who wants to end his ring career on a winning note.

Good for at least three more fights, Pacquiao said he is willing to face anybody his promoter, Bob Arum, will put in front of him.

The leading contender is the winner between the Marquez-Mike Alvarado tussle on May 17.

Though Marquez initially balked at a fifth fight with Pacquiao, the 40-year-old Mexican changed his tune after being beaten by Bradley in a tactical skirmish last year.

Despite absorbing his first official career loss to Pacquiao, Bradley, on the other hand, slipped just one rung to second among welterweights, but tumbled to fifth from No. 3 overall.

While Pacquiao is repeatedly calling on Mayweather for what could be the biggest fight in history, the flamboyant American has kept his silence.

Pacquiao, the pound-for-pound king from 2009 to 2010, can afford to wait and bask on the adulation of his countrymen and constituents at the moment.