Fans Erupt Over Gervonta Davis’ Trainer’s Controversial Lightweight Rankings: The Debate That’s Setting Social Media on Fire
The lightweight division in boxing has always been a cauldron of talent, with fighters who can switch from artful tacticians to knockout specialists in the blink of an eye. Recently, the spotlight has turned onto a ranking list compiled by Kenny Ellis, the co-trainer of Gervonta “Tank” Davis, that has stirred up a hornet’s nest among boxing fans.
Kenny Ellis, who has been instrumental in shaping Gervonta Davis into one of the most feared punchers in the sport, decided to share his thoughts on the current hierarchy within the 135-pound weight class. However, his list has done anything but unify opinion. Instead, it has sparked a wildfire of debate and outrage, with fans taking to social media to voice their discontent.
No Shock at the Top: Davis Crowned Number 1
Ellis’s list unsurprisingly places Gervonta Davis at the pinnacle, a move that no one really questioned. After all, Davis’s reputation as a devastating knockout artist with a 30-0 record precedes him. But as fans scrolled down to the other names, eyebrows were raised, and not in a good way.
The second spot, controversially occupied by 20-year-old rising star Abdullah Mason, has become the flashpoint of the entire list. With a record of 15-0, Mason has undoubtedly shown promise, but his placement ahead of Shakur Stevenson, the undefeated WBC champion, left many fans baffled. The backlash was immediate and intense.
One fan bluntly questioned, “Mason that high and Zepeda that low is crazy.” This sentiment was echoed across the boxing community, with many pointing out that Mason has yet to prove himself against the elite of the division. The fact that William Zepeda, a seasoned fighter and top contender across all major sanctioning bodies, was ranked lower than Mason struck many as unjustifiable.
They wrote, “Mason that high and Zepeda that low is crazy.”
They demanded, “If that’s the case, I wanna see Abdullah vs Loma or Shakur.”
A Debate Over Proven Skills and Potential
Shakur Stevenson, who found himself in the third position, became another lightning rod for criticism. Despite his impeccable record of 22-0 and his WBC title, fans argued that his resume doesn’t yet stack up against more battle-tested names like Vasyl Lomachenko. “I think Shakur is great but hasn’t proven himself to be better than Loma or Frank yet,” one fan remarked, questioning Ellis’s reasoning.
Even Lomachenko’s placement below Stevenson raised concerns, especially considering Lomachenko’s storied career and his reputation as one of the most skilled boxers in the sport. Fans called for a more experience-based ranking, demanding to see matchups like Mason vs. Lomachenko or Stevenson to truly gauge where these fighters stand.
Criticism of Davis’s Opponents
The criticism didn’t stop at Mason and Stevenson. Some fans turned their ire towards Davis himself, arguing that his top ranking is bolstered more by careful matchmaking than by facing the best competition available. One fan didn’t mince words, stating, “Gervonta who has fought no one of his size and or without advantages is your number 1??? LMAO.” This comment struck a chord with many who believe that Davis has yet to prove himself against opponents who match his physical attributes and skill level.
They announced, “I think Shakur is great but hasn’t proven himself to be better than Loma or Frank yet.”
“Gervonta who has fought no one of his size and or without advantages is your number 1??? LMAO,” wrote the fan rhetorically.
Another fan argued . They declared, “This us stupid. Schofield better than Zepeda? I can’t take that seriously. And Mason is great but hasn’t proven close to enough to be above some of those other guys yet.”
A Heated Discussion Around Other Contenders
Further down the list, Floyd Schofield’s placement at number 7 also came under fire. At 21 years old and with a record of 17-0, Schofield’s inclusion over more accomplished fighters like Zepeda raised questions about whether Ellis’s rankings were based more on potential than proven ability. “This is stupid. Schofield better than Zepeda? I can’t take that seriously,” one fan tweeted, summing up the frustration felt by many.
Even Andy Cruz, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist who is still relatively new to the professional ranks, found himself placed higher than expected. This decision prompted further debate over whether Ellis was prioritizing youth and potential over experience and accomplishments.
A List That Divides Opinion
Ultimately, Ellis’s list has not only sparked outrage but also opened up a broader conversation about how fighters should be ranked. Should a fighter’s potential be weighted more heavily than their actual achievements in the ring? Should champions like Stevenson and Lomachenko be automatically placed higher due to their proven track records? These are the questions now being hotly debated in boxing circles.
As the conversation continues, one thing is clear: Kenny Ellis’s rankings have set the boxing world ablaze, and the debate is far from over. Fans are calling for these fighters to prove their worth in the ring, where opinions and rankings can be settled with fists, not just words. Whether Ellis’s predictions will hold true or be proven wrong remains to be seen, but for now, the boxing world is buzzing with the controversy.
