The WBC released its latest ratings update on May 12. Among the more notable changes for male fighters:

At cruiserweight: Noel Mikaelyan had been the WBC’s “champion in recess” going into his May 3 fight with primary titleholder Badou Jack. Mikaelyan lost a majority decision and is now ranked first by the WBC, bumping Ryan Rozicki down to No. 2.

Jean Pascal was inserted at No. 10 after not being ranked – not in the top 15 and not even in the WBC’s top 40. That’s not a surprise, even if the explanation for his insertion isn’t a good one. The only thing that’s changed since Pascal’s September win over the 13-0 Terry Osias is that Pascal is expected to fight Michal Cieslak next for the WBC’s interim cruiserweight title.

At light heavyweight: Jesse Hart moved up from No. 16 to No. 15, which means Hart is now eligible for a fight he’s been calling for with WBC titleholder David Benavidez, if that opportunity were to come.

At super middleweight: Hamzah Sheeraz, who had been No. 2 at 160lbs, enters the super middleweight rankings at No. 9. He is scheduled to face Edgar Berlanga (No. 7) on July 12.

At middleweight: Aaron McKenna, previously No. 26, is now at No. 9 thanks to his unanimous decision over Liam Smith in April. Smith had been No. 10 and is now unranked.

At welterweight: As BoxingScene previously reported, Manny Pacquiao was inserted at No. 5 despite not having fought in 2021, thanks to his expected comeback to challenge titleholder Mario Barrios.

The WBC’s titleholders and No. 1 contenders in each weight class are:

Heavyweight: Oleksandr Usyk has the WBA, WBC and WBO world titles; Agit Kabayel is the WBC’s interim titleholder. Lawrence Okolie is the WBC’s No. 1 contender. Usyk is scheduled to face IBF titleholder Daniel Dubois in a rematch for the undisputed championship on July 19.

Bridgerweight: Kevin Lerena has the world title; Adam Balski is his No. 1 contender.

Cruiserweight: Badou Jack has the world title; Noel Mikaelyan, who was previously the “champion in recess” and just lost to Jack on May 3, is his No. 1 contender

Light heavyweight: David Benavidez has the WBC world title. Artur Beterbiev is the No. 1 contender for the WBA, WBC and WBO belts. Dmitry Bivol – who is the IBF, WBA and WBO titleholder – is expected to fight Beterbiev in their rubber match later this year.

Super middleweight: Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has all four world titles; Christian Mbilli is the WBA and WBC’s No. 1 contender. Alvarez is scheduled to face Terence Crawford on September 12

Middleweight: Carlos Adames has the world title; Meiirim Nursultanov is his No. 1 contender. 

Junior middleweight: Sebastian Fundora has the WBC world title; Vergil Ortiz is the WBC’s interim titleholder; Serhii Bohachuk is the WBC’s No. 1 contender. Fundora is expected to have a rematch with Tim Tszyu next.

Welterweight: Mario Barrios has the world title; Devin Haney is his No. 1 contender. Barrios could face Manny Pacquiao next.

Junior welterweight: Alberto Puello has the world title; Dalton Smith is his No. 1 contender. 

Lightweight: Shakur Stevenson has the world title; William Zepeda is the interim titleholder; Andy Cruz is the No. 1 contender. Stevenson-Zepeda is scheduled for July 12.

Junior lightweight: O’Shaquie Foster has the world title; Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez is his No. 1 contender. 

Featherweight: Stephen Fulton has the world title; Bruce Carrington is his No. 1 contender; Rey Vargas is the champion-in-recess.

Junior featherweight: Naoya Inoue has all four world titles; Alan David Picasso is the WBC’s No. 1 contender. 

Bantamweight: Junto Nakatani has the world title; Tenshin Nasukawa is his No. 1 contender.

Junior bantamweight: Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez has the WBC world title and lineal championship; Roman Gonzalez is his No. 1 contender for the WBA, WBC and WBO belts. Rodriguez is scheduled for a unification bout against WBO titleholder Phumelele Cafu on July 19.

Flyweight: Kenshiro Teraji has the WBA and WBC world titles; Galal Yafai is the WBC’s interim titleholder; Francisco Rodriguez Jnr is the WBC’s No. 1 contender. Yafai is scheduled to face Rodriguez on June 21.

Junior flyweight: Panya Pradabsri has the world title; Carlos Canizales, who lost a highly controversial decision to Pradabsri in a fight in December for the vacant belt, is the No. 1 contender.

Minimumweight: Melvin Jerusalem has the world title; Knockout CP Freshmart is his No. 1 contender.

David Greisman, who has covered boxing since 2004, is on Twitter @FightingWords2. David’s book, “Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing,” is available on Amazon.