ESPN’s latest divisional boxing rankings have seen significant shifts following recent fights. Gervonta “Tank” Davis has ascended to the top of the lightweight division after his knockout victory over Frank Martin, while David Benavidez has made a notable entrance into the light heavyweight ranks.
Lightweight Division Shakeup
Gervonta “Tank” Davis (30-0, 28 KOs), of Baltimore, secured his position as the No. 1 lightweight with an emphatic eighth-round knockout of Frank Martin at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Despite a slow start, Davis dominated after the third round, ultimately landing a decisive left uppercut followed by a left hook that floored Martin.
Reflecting on his win, Davis said, “I knew he wasn’t getting back up because of the way he fell.” Judges’ scorecards had Davis ahead 67-66 when the fight ended. This victory propels Davis past Vasiliy Lomachenko in the 135-pound rankings, while Martin drops to No. 7.
Benavidez’s Light Heavyweight Debut
In the co-main event, David Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) of Phoenix triumphed over former lineal champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk, earning a unanimous decision and the WBC interim light heavyweight title. Benavidez, previously focused on a fight with super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez, moved up to light heavyweight after that bout failed to materialize.
Benavidez remains open to returning to 168 pounds if a title shot is available. “We’re still looking to go down to 168 to fight for the title,” he said post-fight. “If we’re going to get Canelo or if they’re going to vacate it, I would like to win it one more time.”
Benavidez’s scorecards were 117-111, 119-109, and 116-112, placing him at No. 3 in the light heavyweight rankings, just behind champions Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev. Gvozdyk, who lost his WBC title to Beterbiev in 2019, drops to No. 7.
Junior Welterweight Upset
In another major bout, Liam Paro (25-0, 15 KOs) from Queensland, Australia, secured a surprise victory over Subriel Matias in Manati, Puerto Rico, capturing the IBF junior welterweight title. Paro won with scorecards of 116-111, 115-112, and 115-112, despite a point deduction in Round 7 for excessive holding.
Following his win, Paro expressed confidence in his abilities: “I have self-belief, I know the hard work I put in, I’m always the hardest worker in the room. I keep proving everyone wrong.”
This win places Paro at No. 5 in the 140-pound rankings, while Matias (20-2, 20 KOs) falls to No. 7.
ESPN’s divisional rankings are determined by experts Mike Coppinger, Nick Parkinson, Damian Delgado Averhoff, and Andres Ferrari, and are updated weekly. For a complete list of current champions in all weight classes, visit ESPN’s boxing section.
Source: ESPN
