Richardson Hitchins may not have expected it, but he now finds himself at the center of a debate following the top-ten rating he revealed. Shared by DAZN Boxing, the light welterweight challenger’s list has drawn criticism. It’s understandable; rankings and ratings in boxing are touchy subjects. Highly subjective, they often spark heated debates.

The Brooklyn-born, unbeaten boxer is scheduled to face IBF champion Liam Paro in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on December 7. This match follows the hotly contested title eliminator against Gustavo Lemos earlier this year in April.

The shocking rankings of Richardson Hitchins: A list that raised eyebrows

To be fair to Hitchins, as one user pointed out, it seems the rankings weren’t solely his picks. Instead, champions’ names appeared on his screen, and he had to place them in the ten slots he deemed most appropriate.

The first name that appeared was Caleb Plant, who Hitchins placed eighth in the standings. Naoya Inoue took second, and Jaron “Boots” Ennis, whom Hitchins labeled as a ‘great fighter’, was ranked just above Plant. Shakur Stevenson and Teofimo Lopez filled the third and fourth slots, respectively.

What might have surprised many fans was the appearance of Jermall Charlo’s name. Hitchins felt Charlo deserved sixth place. Tyson Fury’s picture then appeared, prompting Hitchins to consider whether ‘The Gypsy King’ should be second or third. He ultimately chose the top spot for Fury. Jermell Charlo took the fifth rank, just above his twin brother, Jermall. Kell Brook, who retired two years ago, also made the list in ninth place. This left only one spot—number ten. Terence Crawford’s photo appeared next.

An awkward smile crossed Hitchins’ face as he placed the P4P best boxer in the bottom-most position. It’s safe to say that fans weren’t forgiving of the decision.

Didn’t quite live up to expectations 

Fans quickly shared their disappointment with Hitchins’ ranking decisions. One user expressed their frustration: “That was one of the most trashy ratings ever.” Another fan, equally shocked by Crawford’s tenth-place ranking, asked, “Who else had the same reaction when he seen Crawford for the 10th 😂?”

The next user was baffled by Tyson Fury’s first-place ranking: “Bro, what the hell? You put Fury at one????? Nah fam, he ain’t even top 10,” they said. Another follower was equally troubled by Teofimo Lopez’s position at number four, questioning how Inoue was rated: “Somebody these guys should just put I’m gonna put who I like the most. How is Teo at number four 4️⃣ crazy, then he hesitated on Inoue.”

One user seemed convinced that Richardson Hitchins lacked sufficient knowledge of boxing, saying, “This guy doesn’t know anything about boxing.” However, a voice of reason stepped in to clarify the situation: “It’s a random ranking, not his opinion; y’all should chill.”

It was bound to happen. Such narratives often spark heated debates, much to everyone’s amusement.

What’s important to consider here is that anyone can rank top-level champions according to their personal preferences. However, there should be reasoning behind these decisions. Why should a particular boxer occupy a certain position? Would they be better placed elsewhere? This approach would add nuance and credibility to the rankings, but it would still invite passionate discussions.

Do you agree with Richardson Hitchins’ ranking decisions? Share your thoughts!