Bannered by the brash banger John Riel Casimero, 14 Filipino fighters made the list in the latest ratings released by the World Boxing Council.
From its headquarters in Mexico City, the sanctioning body ranked Casimero, a three-division champion, as the No. 8 contender in the super-bantamweight division which lists Stephen Fulton of the United States as champion in its December 2022 rankings.
Casimero made his 122-lb debut late last year in Incheon, Korea, where he mauled Japanese Ryo Akaho.
Joining Casimero on the list of rising atar Jammes Carl Martin at No. 13.
Also making the grade are former featherweight titleholder Mark Magsayo at No. 3 in the 126-lb class; four-division titlist Nonito Donaire at No. 2 and Vincent Astrolabio at No. 7 in the bantam bracket; and four-division ruler Donnie Nietes at No. 6, No. 7 JayR Raquinel at No. 7 and Adrian Lerasan at No. 10 at super-fly that is being topped by Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico.
In the flyweight division manned by Julio Cesar Martinez of Mexico, only one cracked the top 15: Dave Apolinario at No. 12.
At light-fly, those waiting to challenge for the crown being held by Japanese Kenshiro Teraji are No. 9 Mark Vicelles and Joel Canoy at No. 14.
In the lightest weight class — strawweight — Garen Diaga is at No. 6, ex-world champion Rene Mark Cuarto at No. 7, and another former titleholder in Pedro Taduran at No. 9.
