Manny Pacquiao wins another title!

Manny Pacquiao has just added another title to his collection. No, it's not the WBC Lightweight crown just yet for that is still to be decided with the upcoming Manny Pacquiao-David Diaz fight on June 28. But what he recently won was also quite significant. He has just been named as the world's top-ranked boxer in the Yahoo! Sports boxing poll beating out Joe Calzaghe and Miguel Cotto for the distinction.

The poll, started in August last year, ranks the most complete and gifted active boxers in the game every month by a panel of sports writers from around the world. Floyd Mayweather has topped this poll since its inception with Manny as the perennial runner up. However, with Mayweather's surprising retirement last week, the title has now been bestowed on the
Pacman. My fast-handed countryman has always been popular with the sport's aficionados because of his aggressive style, but he now faces a big challenge in David Diaz in his next outing

This is a big confidence boost to the Pinoy boxer on the heels of the Pacquiao vs Diaz fight, making his Pinoy fans even prouder. (See Pacquiao-Diaz fight: another blockbuster, Southpaw Showdown)

Update: Manny Pacquiao has won, stopping David Diaz in the ninth round of their scheduled 12 rounder. More about it HERE.

1. Manny Pacquiao

Points: 229 1/2 (17 of 24 first-place votes)
Record: 46-3-2 (35 KOs)
Title: WBC and The Ring super featherweight champion
Last outing: W12 over Juan Manuel Marquez on March 15
Previous ranking: 2
Up next: June 28 in Las Vegas, Manny Pacquiao vs. David Diaz for WBC lightweight title
Analysis: Has already held world titles at 112, 122 and 130

2. Joe Calzaghe

Points: 196 (6 of 24 first-place votes)
Record: 45-0 (32 KOs)
Title: WBA, WBC, WBO and The Ring super middleweight champion and The Ring light heavyweight champion
Last outing: W12 over No. 9 Bernard Hopkins on April 19
Previous ranking: 3
Up next: Nothing scheduled
Analysis: Fight with middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik would be huge

3. Miguel Cotto

Points: 187 (1 of 24 first-place votes)
Record: 32-0 (26 KOs)
Title: WBA welterweight champion
Last outing: TKO 5 over Alfonso Gomez on April 12
Previous ranking: 4
Up next: July 26 title defense vs. Antonio Margarito in Las Vegas
Analysis: Game's most powerful body puncher

4. Juan Manuel Marquez

Points: 161 1/2
Record: 48-4-1 (35 KOs)
Title: None
Last outing: L12 to No. 1 Manny Pacquiao on March 15
Previous ranking: 5
Up next: Nothing scheduled
Analysis: Outstanding boxer with all-around skills

5. Israel Vazquez

Points: 143
Record: 43-4 (31 KOs)
Title: WBC and The Ring super bantamweight champion
Last outing: W12 over No. 8 Rafael Marquez on March 1
Previous ranking: 6
Up next: Nothing scheduled
Analysis: Made a career out of brawling

6. Kelly Pavlik

Points: 140
Record: 34-0 (30 KOs)
Title: WBC, WBO and The Ring middleweight champion
Last outing: TKO3 over Gary Lockett on June 7
Previous ranking: 7
Up next: Nothing scheduled
Analysis: Could wind up with belts at 160, 168 and 175 if he fights and defeats Calzaghe later this year

7. Rafael Marquez

Points: 79
Record: 37-5 (33 KOs)
Title: None
Last outing: L12 to No. 5 Israel Vazquez on March 1
Previous ranking: 8
Up next: Nothing scheduled
Analysis: Expect a late summer, early fall return

8. Bernard Hopkins

Points: 41
Record: 48-5 (32 KOs)
Title: None
Last outing: L12 to No. 2 Joe Calzaghe on April 19
Previous ranking: 9
Up next: Nothing scheduled
Analysis: Unlikely to fight again, but don't rule anything out

9. Ivan Calderon

Points: 36
Record: 31-0 (6 KOs)
Title: WBO and The Ring junior flyweight champion
Last outing: W12 over Nelson Dieppa on April 5
Previous ranking: 10
Up next: Defends titles vs. Hugo Cazares on Aug. 30 in Puerto Rico
Analysis: Crafty boxer faces career-defining rematch

10. Cristian Mijares

Points: 33
Record: 35-3 (14 KOs)
Title: WBA and WBC super flyweight champion
Last outing: W12 over Alexander Munoz on May 17
Previous ranking: NR
Up next: Nothing scheduled
Analysis: Unification bout with WBO champ Fernando Montiel could put division on map

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