Shakur Stevenson’s #1 Lightweight Rank Questioned: Zepeda Win

Shakur Stevenson has vaulted to #1 in The Ring rankings for the lightweight [135-lb] division after defeating William Zepeda last Saturday night in Queens, New York. The panel that ranks fighters for the organization felt that Shakur’s win over the flat-footed, light-hitting, easy-to-hit Zepeda (33-1, 27 KOs) was enough to vault him to the top #1 spot.

(Credit: Golden Boy)

Zepeda: Not a Gauge for #1

It was a superficial victory for Shakur, beating a punching bag with no power, who was tired by the sixth round. Zepeda had arguably been beaten in his two previous fights by Tevin Farmer, but was saved by the judges in both fights.

That choice makes no sense. Zepeda is NOT a good enough fighter to be used as a gauge for ranking Shakur (24-0, 11 KOs) to the top of the heap at 135. Moreover, that win, along with the wide scores turned in by the judging crew, was not decisive enough for Shakur to be anywhere near the #1 spot.

The Ring Lightweight Rankings

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

The combination of the odd scores, run-of-the-mill opponent, and the difficulties Shakur had in attaining the win means he deserves to be placed at a much lower spot in the lightweight rankings, at #8.

Andy Cruz: Lightweight Division’s Apex

If we’re ranking by actual talent and not by a popularity contest based on superficial wins over lesser opposition, Andy Cruz deserves to be the #1 fighter at lightweight. The ‘Diamond’ Cruz has displayed in his last three fights that he’s fighting the highest level in the 135-lb division. Hence, he’s being avoided by other lightweights like Shakur. He’s become part of the untouchable class at lightweight, along with Abdullah Mason and Floyd Schofield.

Reality-Based Lightweight

1. Andy Cruz
2. Floyd Schofield
3. Abdullah Mason
4. Gervonta Davis
5. Lamont Roach
6. Jadier Herrera
7. Raymond Muratalla
8. Shakur Stevenson
9. Sam Noakes
10. William Zepeda