Analyzing The Ring Magazine’s Controversial Lightweight Rankings: Why Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson Don’t Deserve Top Spots

The Ring came out with their new lightweight rankings today, with Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson at #1 and #2. The rankings make little sense based on recent performances by those fighters and many others in their top 10. Those two don’t belong anywhere near the top two spots in the Ring’s rankings.

Andy Cruz: True Lightweight King

The true #1 in the lightweight division is Andy Cruz. He has shown, in a short period, that he’s the best in the weakened 135-lb division and should occupy the King’s seat as #1.

Schofield, Mason: 24k Gold Prospects

To sit at the King’s table for #2 and #3, I have Floyd Schofield and Abdullah Mason. Those two have shown themselves to be pure 24k gold in their performances.

Ring’s Top 10 Flaws

1. Gervonta Davis
2. Shakur Stevenson
3. William Zepeda
4. Raymond Muratalla
5. Andy Cruz
6. Floyd Schofield
7. Frank Martin
8. Denys Berinchyk
9. Sam Noakes
10. Abdullah Mason

Frank Martin hasn’t fought in over a year since his knockout loss to Tank Davis, and he’s expected to move up to 140. He shouldn’t be on the Ring’s list as one of the top lightweights for those reasons.

Sam Noakes doesn’t belong in the top 10 because he’s beaten mostly British domestic-level competition during his career. He looks like an average fighter.

Gervonta Davis: Demotion to #5

Tank (30-0, 28 KOs) hasn’t beaten a quality fighter in years and is coming off a controversial draw against super featherweight Lamont Roach. For that reason, Davis should lose a stripe and be demoted to #5. Even that ranking is still too high, given the way Gervonta has swerved top-level opposition since winning his WBA lightweight belt.

Shakur (23-0, 11 KOs) doesn’t belong anywhere near the #2 spot based on his mediocre opposition since moving up to lightweight. In the one decent opponent Stevenson fought at 135, Edwin De Los Santos, he was terrible. He’s not fought any live bodies since. As such, Shakur should be downgraded to #9.

My Improved Lightweight rankings

1. Andy Cruz
2. Floyd Schofield
3. Abdullah Mason
4. William Zepeda
5. Gervonta Davis
6. Jadier Herrera
7. Raymond Muratalla
8. Edwin De Los Santos
9. Shakur Stevenson
10. Denys Berinchyk