They were challenged. It didn’t matter.
Dina Thorslund and Marlen Esparza both had title fights Saturday night — Thorslund defending her WBO bantamweight title and Esparza her WBC flyweight belt — and both ended up winning. And for Esparza, defeating Naoko Fujioka meant adding the WBA flyweight belt, too. It also meant the two of them staying at the top of their divisions.
Esparza could now be looking for unification fights against Argentinians Tamara Elizabet Demarco (WBO) or Leonela Yudica (IBF). Thorslund can also look at unification bouts against Jamie Mitchell (WBA), Yulihan Luna (WBC) or newly crowned IBF champion Ebanie Bridges.
In a year when so many belts throughout female boxing are being unified and undisputed fights are being organized, it would only make sense to happen.
Rankings will be updated every Tuesday. They’ll be based on recent bouts, head-to-head competition and quality of opponent. As with almost everything until fighters square off against one another, there is a layer of subjectivity to it. Fighters who haven’t fought in two years and don’t have a fight scheduled will be removed from the rankings until they fight again.
For a list of the current champions in all weight classes, click here.
175+ pounds – Super middleweight – Middleweight – Junior middleweight – Welterweight – Junior welterweight – Lightweight – Junior lightweight – Featherweight – Junior featherweight – Bantamweight – Junior bantamweight – Flyweight – Junior flyweight – Strawweight – Atomweight
175+ POUNDS
1. Hanna Gabriels 
Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 21-2-1, 12 KOs
Last: W (TKO2) Martha Patricia Lara Gaytan, April 17
Next: TBA
2. Danielle Perkins Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 3-0, 1 KO
Last: W (UD8) Monika Harrison, March 5
Next: TBA
3. Angelica Lopez Flores Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 13-0, 7 KOs
Last: W (TKO4) Bertha Murillo, Dec. 5
Next: TBA
4. Sequita Hemingway Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 1-0, 0 KOs
Last: W (MD4) Alrie Meleisea, July 10
Next: April 16 vs. Alrie Meleisea
5. Seini Draughn Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 4-0-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (MD4) Monika Harrison, May 22
Next: TBA
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT (Up to 168 pounds)
1. Franchon Crews Dezurn Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 7-1, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Ashleigh Curry, Jan. 2
Next: April 30 vs. Elin Cederroos
2. Christina Hammer Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 27-1, 13 KOs
Last: W (TKO1) Daniele Bastieri, Dec. 3
Next: TBA
3. Elin Cederroos Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 8-0, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Alicia Napoleon Espinosa, Jan. 10, 2020
Next: April 30 vs. Franchon Crews Dezurn
4. Ema Kozin Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 21-1-1, 11 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Claressa Shields, Feb. 5
Next: TBA
5. Shadasia Green Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 8-0, 7 KOs
Last: W (TKO1) Angie Barcas, May 1
Next: TBA
MIDDLEWEIGHT (Up to 160 pounds)
E:60 profiles Claressa Shields’ beginnings in Flint, Michigan, before she won Olympic gold in women’s boxing in 2012.
1. Claressa Shields Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 12-0, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Ema Kozin, Feb. 5
Next: TBA vs. Savannah Marshall
2. Savannah Marshall Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 12-0, 10 KOs
Last: W (KO3) Femke Hermans, April 2
Next: TBA vs. Claressa Shields
3. Marciela Cornejo 
Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 15-5, 5 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Simone Aparecida da Silva, March 25
Next: TBA
4. Ema Kozin Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 21-1-1, 11 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Claressa Shields, Feb. 5
Next: TBA
5. Raquel Miller Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 11-0, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD6) Sonya Dreiling, Dec. 2
Next: TBA
JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT (Up to 154 pounds)
1. Marie-Eve Dicaire Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 18-1, 1 KOs
Last: W (TKO7) Cynthia Lozano, Dec. 17
Next: TBA
2. Patricia Berghult Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 15-0, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Olivia Belkacem, Nov. 27
Next: TBA
3. Hannah Rankin Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 11-5, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Maria Lindberg, Nov. 5
Next: April 23 vs. Alejandra Ayala
4. Natasha Jonas Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 11-2-1, 8 KOs
Last: W (TKO2) Chris Namus, Feb. 19
Next: TBA
5. Lolita Muzeya Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 17-1, 9 KOs
Last: W (KO1) Yarkor Chavez Annan, March 6
Next: TBA
WELTERWEIGHT (Up to 147 pounds)
1. Jessica McCaskill Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 12-2, 4 KOs
Last: W (TKO7) Kandi Wyatt, Dec. 4
Next: TBA
2. Cecilia Braekhus Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 36-2, 9 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Jessica McCaskill, March 13
Next: TBA
3. Layla McCarter Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 44-13-5, 11 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Beatriz Aguilar, Nov. 7, 2020
Next: TBA
4. Ewa Piatkowska Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 16-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD6) Judy Waguthii, May 14
Next: TBA
5. Alma Ibarra Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 9-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Kandi Wyatt, Aug. 20
Next: TBA
JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT (Up to 140 pounds)
1. Chantelle Cameron Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 15-0, 8 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Mary McGee, Oct. 30
Next: TBA
2. Kali Reis Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 19-7-1, 5 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Jessica Camara, Nov. 19
Next: TBA
3. Mary McGee Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 27-4, 15 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Chantelle Cameron, Oct. 30
Next: TBA
4. Anahi Ester Sanchez Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 20-5, 12 KOs
Last: W (TKO3) Maria Soledad Capriolo, Dec. 18
Next: TBA
5. Jessica Camara Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 8-3, 0 KOs
Last: L (SD10) Kali Reis, Nov. 19
Next: TBA
LIGHTWEIGHT (Up to 135 pounds)
1. Katie Taylor Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 20-0, 6 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Firuza Sharipova, Dec. 11
Next: April 30 vs. Amanda Serrano
2. Amanda Serrano Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 42-1-1, 30 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Miriam Gutierrez, Dec. 18
Next: April 30 vs. Katie Taylor
3. Estelle Yoka Mossely Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 10-0, 1 KO
Last: W (SD10) Yanina del Carmen Lescano, March 18
Next: TBA
4. Delfine Persoon 
Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 46-3, 19 KOs
Last: W (TKO4) Beatriz Aguilar, Nov. 1
Next: TBA
5. Jennifer Han Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 18-5-1, 1 KO
Last: L (UD10) Mikaela Mayer, April 9
Next: TBA
JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT (Up to 130 pounds)
Mikaela Mayer goes the distance to successfully fend off Erica Farias and defend her WBO junior lightweight championship.
1. Mikaela Mayer Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 17-0, 5 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Jennifer Han, April 9
Next: TBA
2. Alycia Baumgardner Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 11-1, 7 KOs
Last: W (TKO4) Terri Harper, Nov. 13
Next: April 16 vs. Edith Soledad Matthysse
3. Maiva Hamadouche Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 22-2, 18 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Mikaela Mayer, Nov. 5
Next: TBA
4. Hyun Mi Choi Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 19-0-1, 5 KOs
Last: W (TKO9) Simone Aparecida da Silva, Sept. 18
Next: TBA
5. Delfine Persoon Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 46-3, 19 KOs
Last: W (TKO4) Beatriz Aguilar, Nov. 1
Next: TBA
FEATHERWEIGHT (Up to 126 pounds)
1. Amanda Serrano Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 42-1-1, 30 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Miriam Gutierrez, Dec. 18
Next: April 30 vs. Katie Taylor
2. Erika Cruz Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 14-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Melissa Esquivel, Nov. 26
Next: TBA
3. Sarah Mahfoud Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 10-0, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Brenda Karen Carabajal, Feb. 1, 2020
Next: April 21 vs. Nina Meinke
4. Yamileth Mercado Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 19-3, 5 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Isis Vargas Perez, April 2
Next: TBA
5. Nina Meinke Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 12-2, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD6) Tereza Dvorakova, April 17
Next: April 21 vs. Sarah Mahfoud
JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHT (Up to 122 pounds)
1. Dina Thorslund Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 18-0, 7 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Niorkis Carreno, April 9
Next: TBA
2. Daniela Bermudez Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 29-4-3, 10 KOs
Last: L (KO9) Amanda Serrano, March 25, 2021
Next: TBA
3. Jackie Nava Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 39-4-4, 16 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Mariana Juarez, Oct. 30, 2021
Next: TBA
4. Yamileth Mercado Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 19-3, 5 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Isis Vargas Perez, April 2
Next: TBA
5. Segolene Lefebvre Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 15-0, 1 KO
Last: W (UD10) Paulette Valenzuela, Nov. 20
Next: May 7 vs. Melania Sorroche
Yazmin Rivas has been removed due to inactivity.
BANTAMWEIGHT (Up to 118 pounds)
1. Dina Thorslund Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 18-0, 7 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Niorkis Carreno, April 9
Next: TBA
2. Yulihan Alejandra Luna Avila Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 23-3-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Mayeli Flores, April 2
Next: TBA
3. Jamie Mitchell Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 8-0-2, 5 KOs
Last: W (KO4) Carly Skelly, Feb. 5
Next: TBA
4. Shannon O’Connell Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 22-6-1, 10 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Taylah Robertson, Oct. 23
Next: TBA
5. Ebanie Bridges Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 8-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Maria Cecilia Roman, March 26
Next: TBA
JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHT (Up to 115 pounds)
1. Lourdes Juarez Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 33-2, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Luz Elena Aguilar, Dec. 11
Next: TBA
2. Guadalupe Martinez Guzman Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 20-10, 6 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Lourdes Juarez, Dec. 12
Next: TBA
3. Yessica Chavez Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 32-5-3, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Susy Kandy Sandoval, July 17
Next: TBA
4. Diana Laura Fernandez Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 24-4-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (SD8) Ana Victoria Polo, Aug. 27
Next: TBA
5. Micaela Milagros Lujan Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 10-1-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Nataly Delgado, Nov. 26
Next: TBA
FLYWEIGHT (Up to 112 pounds)
1. Marlen Esparza Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 12-1, 1 KO
Last: W (UD10) Naoko Fujioka, April 9
Next: TBA
2. Arely Mucino Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 31-3-2, 11 KOs
Last: W (TKO2) Marisol Molina Sanchez, Feb. 19
Next: TBA
3. Naoko Fujioka Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 19-3-1, 7 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Marlen Esparza, April 9
Next: TBA
4. Ibeth Zamora Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 32-7, 12 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Marlen Esparza, June 19
Next: TBA
5. Fabiana Bytyqi Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 19-0-1, 5 KOs
Last: W (UD6) Ivanka Ivanova, March 5
Next: TBA
JUNIOR FLYWEIGHT (Up to 108 pounds)
1. Seniesa Estrada Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 22-0, 9 KOs
Last: W (TKO4) Maria Santizo, Dec. 18
Next: TBA
2. Kim Clavel Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 15-0, 3 KOs
Last: W (TKO4) Mariela Ribera Valverde, March 11
Next: April 21 vs. Yesenia Gomez
3. Evelin Bermudez Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 16-0-1, 6 KOs
Last: W (TKO5) Debora Rengifo, March 26
Next: TBA
4. Jessica Nery Plata Previous ranking: NR
Record: 28-2, 3 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Yesica Yolanda Bopp, March 11
Next: TBA
5. Yesenia Gomez Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 19-5-3, 6 KOs
Last: W (MD8) Itzayana Cruz Delgado, Oct. 16
Next: April 21 vs. Kim Clavel
STRAWWEIGHT (Up to 105 pounds)
1. Seniesa Estrada Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 22-0, 9 KOs
Last: W (TKO4) Maria Santizo, Dec. 18
Next: TBA
2. Tina Rupprecht Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 11-0-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Katia Gutierrez, July 24
Next: TBA
3. Yokasta Valle Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 23-2, 9 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Elizabeth Lopez Corzo, Dec. 18
Next: TBA
4. Anabel Ortiz Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 31-5, 4 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Marlen Esparza, Dec. 18
Next: TBA
5. Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 5-0, 1 KO
Last: W (UD10) Etsuko Tada, Oct. 23
Next: TBA
ATOMWEIGHT (Up to 102 pounds)
1. Monserrat Alarcon Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 17-4-2, 0 KOs
Last: W (MD10) Silvia Torres, Dec. 4
Next: TBA
2. Saemi Hanagata Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 16-7-5, 7 KOs
Last: Draw (MD10) Eri Matsuda, March 18, 2021
Next: TBA
3. Ayaka Miyao Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 25-9-2, 6 KOs
Last: W (MD10) Ayaka Miyao, Feb. 25
Next: TBA
4. Nanae Suzuki Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 11-4-1, 1 KO
Last: W (SD10) Mika Iwakawa, Feb. 25
Next: TBA
5. Kaori Nagai Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 6-3-3, 2 KOs
Last: L (UD8) Ayaka Miyao, Sept. 22
Next: TBA
