The World Boxing Council (WBC) will create a new set of rankings to ensure fewer mismatches between fighters, its president said on Tuesday.

Jose Sulaiman said the new rankings would be unveiled next year and implemented in 2009.

Sulaiman, speaking at the WBC annual conference in the Philippine capital, said each boxer would be ranked according to several factors.

They included amateur and professional career records, number of rounds fought, boxing style and recent results.

The new system is intended to avoid mismatches, which are often criticized by fans and run the risk of injury for the weaker fighter.

(Xinhua News Agency November 14, 2007)