Who is the lightest in the world?
There’s no clear answer to that question because there are some talented boxers who fight in one of the deepest divisions in the sport, at least in the top of the 135-pound division.
Devin Haney has a strong argument that he’s number 1 because he’s the undisputed champion, which is an important achievement even if you believe titles have lost their luster.
I have great respect for the talented Haney but I believe there is another boxer better than him: Gervonta Davis, who faced off against Hector Luis Garcia in Saturday’s pay-per-view match in Washington, D.C.
Here’s an overview of the top seven 135-pound athletes, with their strengths and weaknesses. They are listed in order of likelihood.
NO. 1 GERGONTA DAVIS (27-0, 25 KO)
strength: Davis has the most impressive combination of ability and strength in the division. He’s a sleek, smooth boxer with underrated defensive skills. And no one else in the division had the punch power to compare with him. Watch the brutal ending of his fight with Leo Santa Cruz. Other than that, his résumé is solid, with wins over Jesus Cuellar, Yuriorkis Gamboa, Santa Cruz, Mario Barrios, Isaac Cruz and Rolando Romero.
Weaknesses: Davis’ decline may have come from trouble off the court, though that hasn’t affected his performance so far.
NO. 2. DEVIN HAEY (29-0, 15 KOs)
strength: Haney is a great boxer, with quick hands and feet along with his elite boxing acumen. It’s nice to see him doing his thing. And like it or not, he’s a champion. He dethroned George Kambosos Jr. by a broad decision last June and then doing the same in a rematch in October. He also has an impressive resume, especially since he’s only 24 years old. He’s had unilateral wins over Jorge Linares, Joseph Diaz Jr. and Kambosos (twice).
Weaknesses: Haney isn’t a light heavyweight but he doesn’t have the match-changing power of Davis, a more accomplished boxer.
NO. 3 SHAKUR STEVENSON (19-0.9 KO)
strength: Stevenson is as gifted as any boxer in the world in terms of his skill set, including Haney. The agile, graceful 2016 Olympic silver medalist was untouchable when he won the unified championship in the 130-pound weight class, even against a top-tier opponent. He has won over Jamel Herring, Oscar Valdez and Robson Conceicao in his last three games. He’s so special.
Weaknesses: Stevenson has the same problem as Haney, relatively lacking punch. That leaves him behind the finishing Davis by more than one step. Plus, Stevenson has yet to fight as an official 135-pound athlete. He seems ready to put on weight but one never knows how he will adjust to fighting bigger men.
NO. 4 VASILIY LOMACHENKO (17-2, 11 KOs)
strength: No one in the sport is more skillful than a boxing wizard from Ukraine. The two-time Olympic champion jumped into the title race shortly after turning pro because that ability has allowed him to win major titles in three divisions in just 19 games. The 34-year-old is said to have the best footwork in the sport.
Weaknesses: Lomachenko looked like an old boxer during his unanimous decision loss to Teofimo Lopez in October 2020, which cost him his place at or near the top of the weight charts. He recovered to win the next three opponents but many still wonder if he is the best. He can change that perception if he fights Haney, as expected.
NO. 5 RYAN GARCIA (23-0, 19 KOs)
strength: Garcia has a lot in common with Davis, his fellow social media star. The former amateur star has phenomenal hand speed and a slick skill set. In addition, he can also end any fight instantly with tremendous power. And he’s also starting to build an impressive resume, which includes knockout wins over Luke Campbell in 2021 and Javier Fortuna last July.
Weaknesses: The win over Fortuna was important to Garcia but he was the least successful of the top 135-pound athletes. Of course, he will have a chance to change that assuming Davis defeats Hector Luis Garcia and then faces “King Ry” this year.
NO. 6 FRANK MARTIN (17-0, 12 KOs)
strength: Martin looked like a world-beater in his most recent match, a broad decision against the previously undefeated Michel Rivera. He put in a near-perfect performance, although he couldn’t stop his Dominican opponent. It seems Martin has the all-round ability to cause problems for anyone.
Weaknesses: Martin still has to prove he belongs among the best in the league. The win over Rivera was impressive but Rivera entered the fight with limited experience. Martin will have to beat a next-level opponent to join the likes of Haney and Davis at the top of the table.
NO. 7 WILLIAM ZEPEDA (27-0, 23 KO)
strength: Zepeda is a force of nature, a martial artist capable of making a living by putting unrelenting pressure on his opponents. He overpowered Joseph Diaz Jr. to win a broad decision in October, a groundbreaking performance lifted the Mexicans into the conversation we’re having here. No one will rush to fight him.
Weaknesses: Zepeda is still relatively unproven. Victory over Diaz is a favorable step, but Diaz seems to have fallen. Plus, Diaz doesn’t have the boxing prowess of the likes of Haney and Stevenson nor the strength of Davis and Ryan Garcia. We’ll see how he does when faced with one of the above.
