The atomweight division will get a good look this weekend in Japan, as the WBO and IBF titles are on the line in separate fights.
On a stacked card in Tokyo, Nanae Suzuki (11-4-1, 1 KOs) makes her first WBO title defense against Yuko Kuroki (19-7-2, 9 KOs) and Ayaka Miyao (25-9-2, 6 KOs) defends her IBF title against Mika Iwakawa (10-6-1, 3 KOs).
Suzuki, ESPN’s No. 3 atomweight, earned the title in February, winning a split decision against Iwakawa after losing a split decision to Iwakawa in 2020. Kuroki is 2-3-1 in her last six fights. Miyao, ESPN’s No. 2 atomweight, won her title by beating Eri Matsuda in February by majority decision. Iwakawa is looking to rebound from her first loss since 2016.
Also on the card is Matsuda (4-1-1, 1 KO), ESPN’s No. 5 atomweight, fighting Kaori Nagai (6-4-3, 2 KOs) in an eight-round bout. Sumire Yamanaka (5-0, 1 KO) is fighting Honoka Kano (4-0-2, 2 KOs) in a battle of potential atomweight prospects on the card as well.
Saemi Hanagata has been removed from the rankings due to inactivity, having not fought since March 2021.
On Saturday in Liverpool, England, the junior middleweight division will receive some clarity when WBO champion Natasha Jonas (11-2-1, 8 KOs) faces WBC champ Patricia Berghult (15-0, 3 KOs) in a unification bout.
Jonas, ESPN’s No. 4 junior middleweight, won the title in February, knocking out Chris Namus in the second round. Berghult, ESPN’s No. 2 junior middleweight, won her title by unanimous decision over Olivia Belkacem in 2021. It is the first title defense for both fighters.
The winner of Hannah Rankin-Terri Harper on Sept. 24 — for Rankin’s WBA belt — would be a reasonable opponent for the Jonas-Berghult winner. So would IBF titlist — and ESPN’s top-rated junior middleweight, Marie-Eve Dicaire.
At featherweight on Saturday, WBA champion Erika Cruz (14-1, 3 KOs), ESPN’s No. 2 fighter in the division, will fight former WBA and WBC featherweight champion Jelena Mrdjenovich (41-11-2, 19 KOs) in Hermosillo, Mexico. Mrdjenovich was down on all three scorecards when the fight couldn’t continue between the two in 2021.
The winner of Cruz-Mrdjenovich would be a smart potential opponent for the winner of the Amanda Serrano-Sarah Mahfoud unification title fight later in September.
This kicks off a massive month for women’s boxing, including multiple unification fights and the return of Claressa Shields, Savannah Marshall, Mikaela Mayer, Alycia Baumgardner, Amanda Serrano, Yokasta Valle and Sarah Mahfoud to the ring.
Three of the biggest fights from last weekend — undefeated Tiara Brown’s fight against Calista Silgado and ESPN No. 4 heavyweight, Seini Draughn against Carlette Ewell — were postponed, as was the rest of the Debbie King Promotions card scheduled for last Saturday night in Warren, Ohio.
Raquel Miller (11-0, 4 KOs), ESPN’s No. 5 middleweight, had her fight against Irais Hernandez (4-4-2, 3 KOs) canceled — something she announced on her Facebook page Saturday, citing “health concerns” for her opponent, and Miller wrote the California State Athletic Commission to cancel the fight.
In fights that did take place, Nicola Hopewell (1-0, 1 KO) won her pro debut knocking out Claudia Ferenczi (20-97-8) in a junior featherweight bout.
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 18 months 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, 2021
Next: TBA
2. Danielle Perkins Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 3-0, 1 KO
Last: W (UD8) Monika Harrison, March 5, 2021
Next: TBA
3. Angelica Lopez Flores Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 13-1, 7 KOs
Last: L (TKO1) Shadasia Green, Jan. 15
Next: TBA
4. Seini Draughn Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 4-0-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (MD4) Monika Harrison, May 22, 2021
Next: Aug. 27 vs. Carlette Ewell
5. Lani Daniels Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 6-2-2, 0 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Tinta Smith, June 24
Next: TBA
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT (Up to 168 pounds)
1. Franchon Crews Dezurn Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 8-1, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Elin Cederroos, April 30
Next: TBA
2. Christina Hammer Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 28-1, 13 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Luiza Davydova, May 7
Next: TBA
3. Ema Kozin Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 22-1-1, 12 KOs
Last: W (TKO7) Szilvia Szabados, June 4
Next: TBA
4. Elin Cederroos Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 8-1, 4 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Franchon Crews Dezurn, April 30
Next: TBA
5. Shadasia Green Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 9-0, 8 KOs
Last: W (TKO1) Angelica Lopez Flores, Jan. 15
Next: TBA
MIDDLEWEIGHT (Up to 160 pounds)
1. Claressa Shields Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 12-0, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Ema Kozin, Feb. 5
Next: Sept. 10 vs. Savannah Marshall
2. Savannah Marshall Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 12-0, 10 KOs
Last: W (KO3) Femke Hermans, April 2
Next: Sept. 10 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: 22-1-1, 12 KOs
Last: W (TKO7) Szilvia Szabados, June 4
Next: TBA
5. Raquel Miller Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 11-0, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD6) Sonya Dreiling, Dec. 2
Next: Aug. 27 vs. Irais Hernandez
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: Aug. 13 vs. Cecilia Braekhus
3. Hannah Rankin Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 12-5, 3 KOs
Last: W (TKO10) Alejandra Ayala, May 13
Next: Sept 24 vs. Terri Harper
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, 5 KOs
Last: W (TKO3) Alma Ibarra, June 25
Next: vs. Chantelle Cameron on Nov. 5 for the undisputed junior welterweight title
2. Cecilia Braekhus Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 36-2, 9 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Jessica McCaskill, March 13
Next: Aug. 13 vs. Patricia Berghult
3. Layla McCarter Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 45-13-5, 11 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Halanna dos Santos, March 25
Next: TBA
4. Ewa Piatkowska Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 16-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD6) Judy Waguthii, May 14, 2021
Next: TBA
5. Summer Lynn Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 7-0, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD6) Jaica Pavilus, April 2
Next: Sept. 10 vs. TBA
JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT (Up to 140 pounds)
1. Chantelle Cameron Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 16-0, 8 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Victoria Noelia Bustos, May 21
Next: vs. Jessica McCaskill on Nov. 5 for the undisputed junior welterweight title
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. Jessica Camara Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 8-3, 0 KOs
Last: L (SD10) Kali Reis, Nov. 19
Next: TBA
5. Oshin Derieuw Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 16-0, 6 KOs
Last: W (UD6) Elsa Hemat, June 18
Next: TBA
— Anahi Ester Sanchez has been removed for inactivity.
LIGHTWEIGHT (Up to 135 pounds)
1. Katie Taylor Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 21-0, 6 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Amanda Serrano, April 30
Next: TBA
2. Amanda Serrano Previous ranking: 2
Record: 42-2-1, 30 KOs
Last: L (SD10) Katie Taylor, April 30
Next: Sept. 24 vs. Sarah Mahfoud
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. 4
Record: 47-3, 19 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Elhem Mekhaled, May 21
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 retains her junior lightweight titles with a unanimous decision victory over Jennifer Han.
1. Mikaela Mayer Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 17-0, 5 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Jennifer Han, April 9
Next: Sept. 10 vs. Alycia Baumgardner
2. Alycia Baumgardner Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 12-1, 7 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Edith Soledad Matthysse, April 16
Next: Sept. 10 vs. Mikaela Mayer
3. Delfine Persoon Previous ranking: 5
Record: 47-3, 19 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Elhem Mekhaled, May 21
Next: TBA
4. Maiva Hamadouche 
Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 22-2, 18 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Mikaela Mayer, Nov. 5
Next: TBA
5. Hyun Mi Choi Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 19-0-1, 5 KOs
Last: W (TKO9) Simone Aparecida da Silva, Sept. 18
Next: TBA
FEATHERWEIGHT (Up to 126 pounds)
1. Amanda Serrano Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 42-2-1, 30 KOs
Last: L (SD10) Katie Taylor, April 30
Next: Sept. 24 vs. Sarah Mahfoud
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: 11-0, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Nina Meinke, April 21
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. Brenda Karen Carabajal Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 18-5-1, 9 KOs
Last: W (MD10) Debora Anahi Dionicius, May 13
Next: Aug. 6 vs. Amanda Serrano
JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHT (Up to 122 pounds)
1. Jackie Nava Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 39-4-4, 16 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Mariana Juarez, Oct. 30, 2021
Next: TBA
2. Yamileth Mercado Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 19-3, 5 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Isis Vargas Perez, April 2
Next: TBA
3. Segolene Lefebvre Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 16-0, 1 KO
Last: W (UD10) Melania Sorroche, May 7
Next: TBA
4. Mayerlin Rivas Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 17-4-2, 11 KOs
Last: W (TKO3) Karina Fernandez, June 10
Next: TBA
5. Cherneka Johnson Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 14-1, 6 KOs
Last: W (MD10) Melissa Esquivel, April 20
Next: TBA
Dina Thorslund, Daniela Bermudez and Yazmin Rivas have been removed due to inactivity in the division.
BANTAMWEIGHT (Up to 118 pounds)
1. Dina Thorslund Previous ranking: 1
Record: 18-0, 7 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Niorkis Carreno, April 9
Next: TBA
2. Yuliahn Luna Avila Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 24-3-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Jessica Gonzalez, June 17
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: 23-6-1, 11 KOs
Last: W (TKO1) Sarah Higginson, June 29
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: 34-2, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Debora Vanesa Gomez, June 4
Next: TBA
2. Yessica Chavez Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 32-5-3, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Susy Kandy Sandoval, July 17, 2021
Next: TBA
3. Diana Laura Fernandez Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 25-4-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Vanesa Lorena Taborda, March 25
Next: TBA
4. Micaela Lujan Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 11-1-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (MD10) Irma Garcia, Aug. 20
Next: TBA
5. Tamao Ozawa Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 17-5, 6 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Miyo Yoshida, May 30
Next: TBA
— Guadalupe Martinez Guzman has been remobved for inactivity.
FLYWEIGHT (Up to 112 pounds)
1. Marlen Esparza Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 13-1, 1 KO
Last: W (UD10) Eva Guzman, Aug. 6
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, 2021
Next: TBA
5. Gabriela Celeste Alaniz Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 13-0, 5 KOs
Last: W (TKO7) Tamara Elisabet Demarco, June 18
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: July 29 vs. Yesenia Gomez
3. Evelin Bermudez Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 17-0-1, 6 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Yairineth Altuve, July 23
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: July 29 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: 25-2, 9 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Lorraine Villalobos, June 11
Next: TBA
4. Anabel Ortiz Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 31-5, 4 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Marlen Esparza, Dec. 18
Next: Aug. 6 vs. Seniesa Estrada
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 KO
Last: W (MD10) Silvia Torres, Dec. 4
Next: TBA
2. Ayaka Miyao Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 25-9-2, 6 KO
Last: W (MD10) Eri Matsuda, Feb. 25
Next: TBA
3. Nanae Suzuki Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 11-4-1, 1 KO
Last: W (SD10) Mika Iwakawa, Feb. 25
Next: TBA
4. Fabiana Btyqti Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 19-0-2, 5 KO
Last: D (SD10) Elizabeth Lopez Corzo, Jul. 29
Next: TBA
5. Eri Matsuda Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 4-1-1, 1 KO
Last: L (MD10) Ayaka Miyao, Feb. 25
Next: Sept. 10 vs. Kaori Nagai
