The Ring Ratings Reviewed 2024: Lightweight

September 5, 2024

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Gervonta Davis (left) unloads an uppercut on Hector Garcia – Photo by Showtime/Amanda Wescott

The Presbytery first introduced its divisional ratings in 1925. Almost a century later, it is no exaggeration to claim that these independent ratings are the most respected and discussed in world boxing.

The Ring rating panel consists of a dozen experts from around the world. Opinions are shared, debate takes place and the final decision on who should be assigned where is democratically decided each week. It sounds easy, but it can be a laborious and time-consuming process.

I will go through each division in reverse order, working my way up from strawweight to heavyweight. I will then look at each rated fighter’s respective achievements and look into my crystal ball to see what lies ahead.

Next is lightweight (135 pounds), which is one of the strongest divisions in boxing, full of stars and with an excellent supporting cast. As always, please enjoy the debate and respect other people’s opinions.

No. 1 – GERVONTA DAVIS

RECORD: 30-0 (28 KOs)

THE PAST: Davis dominated his opposition on the way up before impressively snatching the IBF 130-pound title from Jose Pedraza (TKO 7). Since then, his star has risen and he is one of the most popular attractions in America, regularly selling out arenas across the country. The 29-year-old power-punching southpaw owns a highlight-reel knockout over Leo Santa Cruz (KO 6) and showed that he carries his vaunted power at weight by coming on strong to defeat much bigger future WBC welterweight titleholder Mario Barrios (TKO 11) at 140 lbs. “Tank” also won when he wasn’t at his best against Isaac Cruz (UD 12), took care of Rolando Romero (TKO 6), WBA 130-pound titlist Hector Luis Garcia (TKO 9), shined against Ryan Garcia ( KO 7) and, most recently, stopped Frank Martin (KO 8).

THE FUTURE: He will likely return in November, but who will be in the opposite corner is not yet known.

Target acquired, Target off. #TankMartin #The One pic.twitter.com/jVfcTnu9C9

— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) June 18, 2024

No. 2 – VASILIY LOMACHENKO

RECORD: 18-3 (12 KOs)

THE PAST: The supremely gifted Ukrainian southpaw was one of the most decorated amateurs ever, claiming Olympic gold medals at London 2012 and Rio 2016. An early setback for Orlando Salido (SD 12), in his second professional outing, was followed by a rapid rise. Loma claimed the vacant WBO featherweight title at the expense of Gary Russell Jr. (MD 12) and he won further titles at 130 and 135. He owns solid wins over Roman Martinez (KO 5), Nicholas Walters (RTD 7), Guillermo Rigondeaux (RTD 6) and Jorge Linares (TKO 10). He lost to Teofimo Lopez (UD 12) but bounced back with comprehensive wins over Masayoshi Nakatani (TKO 9) and Richard Commey (UD 12). In the eyes of most, he did enough to beat Devin Haney (UD 12), but the three people whose opinion mattered most saw the American as the winner. The 36-year-old bounced back and won the vacant IBF title with a dominant performance against George Kambosos Jr. (TKO 11) in Australia.

THE FUTURE: He was in talks to face Davis, but ultimately decided against it and will sit out the rest of the year.

No. 3 – WILLIAM ZEPEDA

RECORD: 31-0 (27 KOs)

THE PAST: The hard-hitting Mexican southpaw puncher won his first 20 fights in Mexico before signing with Golden Boy Promotions. Since then, the 28-year-old has continued to impress, most notably knocking out previously unbeaten Hector Tanajara (RTD 6). He then scored quality rounds with seasoned veteran Rene Alvarado (UD 10), further legitimizing himself with dominant wins over former 130-pound titlist Joseph Diaz (UD 12), as well as Mercito Gesta (KO 6), Maxi Hughes (RTD 4) to achieve. ) and, most recently, Giovanni Cabrera (KO 3).

THE FUTURE: Tap to face Stevenson as the precociously talented American beats Joe Cordina.

Shakur Stevenson (left) and Shuichiro Yoshino (right) exchange punches during their lightweight bout at Prudential Center on April 8, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey – Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images

No. 4 – SHAKUR STEVENSON

RECORD: 22-0 (10 KOs)

THE PAST: The 2016 Olympic silver medalist adapted to the professional game and his star rose quickly. Stevenson shut down previously undefeated Joet Gonzalez (UD 12) to win the vacant WBO featherweight title. He immediately moved up to 130 pounds and was awarded The Ring Performance of the Year for dominating and stopping WBO titlist Jamel Herring (TKO 10). He added The Ring Championship and WBC title by knocking out previously undefeated Oscar Valdez (UD 12). He missed weight against Robson Conceicao (UD 12) and lost his titles on the scales. The 27-year-old southpaw chose to go to 135 pounds where he was perfect against Shuichiro Yoshino (TKO 6). However, he failed to impress when he won the WBC title against Edwin De Los Santos (UD 12) and defended it against Artem Harutyunyan (UD 12).

THE FUTURE: He will embark on the next chapter of his career under the Matchroom banner when he defends his WBC belt against former IBF junior lightweight titleholder Joe Cordina in Riyadh on October 12.

Just met my brother @ShakurStevenson. I nicknamed him Shakur “Outlaw” Stevenson…
I’m waiting for someone to respond that I’m bad at boxing pic.twitter.com/GzRhRiAwYA

— Türkiye ALALSHIKH (@turk_alalshikh) August 12, 2024

No 5 – DENYS BERINCHYK

RECORD: 19-0 (9 KOs)

THE PAST: Berinchyk was part of the 2012 Ukrainian Boxing Dream Team which also featured Oleksandr Usyk, Oleksandr Gvozdyk and Vasiliy Lomachenko. Berinchyk won silver and then turned professional. Although his illustrious compatriots quickly gained praise, he was forced to follow a slower path. He picked up the European title on the undercard of Usyk-Joshua by beating Yvan Mendy (UD 12) and successfully defended it against Anthony Yigit (UD 12). The 36-year-old, who has been actively fighting for Ukraine in their ongoing war against Russia, finally got his big chance and headed to San Diego where he defeated Emanuel Navarrete (UD 12) in May for the vacant WBO title.

THE FUTURE: Currently on the front line to help his country. Whether he will fight again this year is up in the air.

No. 6 – RAYMOND MURATALLA

RECORD: 21-0 (16 KOs)

THE PAST: Muratalla turned professional in September 2016. After winning his first three fights in Mexico, the California native moved through the ranks. He holds wins over Jeremy Hill (KO 3), Jair Valtierra (UD 8), and Humberto Galindo (KO 9). He took on Jeremiah Nakathila and showed he was ready for the opportunity to stop the Namibian in two rounds. He took Diego Torres’ undefeated record with eighth-round stoppage and has since followed up with wins over Xolisani Ndongeni (UD 10) and struggling former junior lightweight titleholder Tevin Farmer (UD 10).

THE FUTURE: He said he wants to face Berinchyk, who could be next.

Keyshawn Davis (right) lands a cross on Jose Pedraza – Photo by Mikey Williams Top Rank

No. 7 – KEYSHAWN DAVIS

RECORD: 11-0 (7 KOs)

THE PAST: Davis was a decorated amateur who claimed silver at the 2019 Pan-Am Games, World Championships and 2020 Olympics, losing to Andy Cruz in the final each time. He turned professional in February 2021. Since then, he has moved quickly and caught the eye with wins over Anthony Yigit (TKO 9), former two-division titleholder Jose Pedraza (TKO 6) and, most recently, Miguel Madueño (UD 10).

THE FUTURE: He will take on once-beaten Gustavo Lemos at home on November 8.

No. 8 – FRANK MARTIN

RECORD: 18-1 (12 KOs)

THE PAST: He won his first 11 fights and partnered with then-unified welterweight titleholder Errol Spence Jr. and his coach Derrick James gets to work. The edge favored Martin, who went from strength to strength by taking the undefeated record of Jerry Perez (KO 7), stopping one-time contender Romero Duno (TKO 4) and Jackson Marinez (TKO 10). He was hugely impressive in dominating Michel Rivera (UD 12) in a matchup of undefeated prospects. The 29-year-old southpaw had a tougher time than expected and had to come on late to take out Artem Harutyunyan (UD 12). He was the WBC mandatory but eventually walked away from a fight with Stevenson and ended up facing WBA reigning Davis (KO by 8) in an internal PBC fight in June.

THE FUTURE: Still licking his wounds from the Davis loss, but could return late this year or early next year.

No. 9 – MARK CHAMBERLAIN

RECORD: 16-0 (12 KOs)

THE PAST: Chamberlain turned professional with Frank Warren’s Queensberry in 2018 and moved through the ranks. He particularly impressed Turki Alalshikh, who said Chamberlain was his favorite fighter. This year, the power puncher made the most of the opportunities presented to him to score early stoppages over Gavin Gwynne (TKO 4) and Joshua Wahab (TKO 1).

THE FUTURE: The Brit will feature in the big Riyadh season showdown at Wembley on September 21 against Josh Padley.

War ready @markyboy118 #Riyadh Season Map: Wembley edition #JoshuaDubois | 21 Sep | Live on https://t.co/FoiaUucI53 | @turk_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/RAsTeG14XX

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) September 3, 2024

No. 10 – ANDY CRUZ

RECORD: 4-0 (2 KOs)

THE PAST: The Cuban was one of the best amateurs in recent history. He claimed gold at the 2020 Olympics, won gold at the 2017, 2019 and 2021 World Championships, as well as a slew of other gold medals at various tournaments. He holds a 4-0 lead over Davis from their time in the unpaid ranks. The 29-year-old decided to make the transition and jumped to the pros in July 2023. Since then, he has moved quickly, most recently stopping the seasoned Antonio Moran (TKO 7) in his most recent outing.

THE FUTURE: May return in December.

On the Cusp: Zaur Abdullaev, Edwin De Los Santos, George Kambosos Jr., Gustavo Lemos and Sam Noakes.

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