Gervonta Davis' coach Kenny Ellis has sparked discussion in the lightweight division by ranking a rising star above an established champion.
Ellis, who trains the WBA World Champion Davis, put 21-year-old Abdullah Mason second on his list of top lightweights. The young Ohio native took the spot ahead of WBC Champion Shakur Stevenson, who many consider one of the most defensively gifted boxers in any weight class.
In an interview with Mill City Boxing, Ellis explained his ranking:
"I've been saying it for the last few years until recently [Shakur] was the second best lightweight, but I just put Abdullah Mason in second and bumped him down to third. Shakur's still right there, but that's my list. Everybody got their own list. My list is Tank, Abdullah Mason and Shakur."
Ellis praised Mason's ability to finish fights, something Stevenson has struggled with recently:
"He gets the job done. That's what everybody wants to see. He don't play with his food. It's just a matter of time before he gets the strap."
Mason, an attack-minded southpaw, has built an impressive 15-0 record with 13 knockouts. His most recent fight saw him stop Mike Ohan Jr in just two rounds. Bob Arum's Top Rank promotions are guiding the youngster's career, with an eye on title fights as early as 2025.
The lightweight division is packed with talent. Current champions include Davis, Stevenson, Vasiliy Lomachenko, and Denys Berinchyk. Up-and-comers like William Zepeda, Keyshawn Davis, Raymond Muratalla, and Andy Cruz are also making waves.
Davis sits at the top of Ellis' list, and for good reason. 'Tank' has knocked out all but two of his 30 opponents and has become one of boxing's biggest draws.
As the division continues to evolve, fans will watch with interest to see if Mason can live up to Ellis' high praise and challenge the established stars.
