William Zepeda Replaces Shakur Stevenson at No. 1 in Ring Lightweight Rankings

It took longer than it should have, but The Ring Magazine has finally bumped William Zepeda to the top of its lightweight rankings.

Zepeda replaces Shakur Stevenson at No. 1 at 135 pounds, a move Boxing News 24 called "long overdue." Stevenson has not competed at lightweight since his 2025 fight against Zepeda, a bout Stevenson won on the official scorecards. He has since moved up to junior welterweight, where he took the WBO title from Teofimo Lopez in January.

The case for Zepeda is straightforward. He is still at 135 and he pushed Stevenson harder than the scorecards reflected, per Boxing News 24. The outlet scored the fight a draw and noted that Zepeda pressed forward for twelve rounds without giving Stevenson room to work. Stevenson landed cleaner single punches, but the margin on the official cards was wider than the action justified.

The lightweight division now features Zepeda at the top with rising names like Abdullah Mason, Floyd Schofield, and Andy Cruz in the mix. It is one of boxing is deepest weight classes and Zepeda sits at the front of the line.

Stevenson holding the No. 1 spot at a weight he left months ago was a rankings oddity that The Ring has now corrected. Whether Zepeda gets a marquee fight to cement the position is the next question.