-
Michael Rothstein, ESPN Staff Writer
Claressa Shields introduced high-level boxing to Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on Saturday.
Shields, ESPN’s top middleweight, held on to her position as the undisputed champion in the division by defeating Maricela Cornejo in a shutout unanimous decision, continuing her dominance of the higher weight classes.
Cornejo (16-6, 6 KO) dropped out of the middleweight rankings after being No. 3 before — mostly because she said after the fight she is headed to junior middleweight. Olivia Curry takes her place in the middleweight rankings at No. 5, with Ema Kozin and Raquel Miller both moving up a spot.
So where does Shields (14-0, 2 KO) go from here in boxing?
The two fighters Shields called out after her victory over Cornejo are Savannah Marshall and Franchon Crews-Dezurn, who meet each other for Crews-Dezurn’s undisputed super middleweight title on July 1. While Shields has already beaten both fighters, they also provided her two most competitive fights.
Another option is Shadasia Green, who is the mandatory challenger for the Marshall vs. Crews-Dezurn winner. Green and Shields would be a fascinating fight of differing styles. If Shields wanted to go back to junior middleweight again, Natasha Jonas and Terri Harper are the two most intriguing options there. At middleweight, Raquel Miller is the only fighter that would make sense, but even Miller has barely fought in the division lately, taking fights in higher weight classes.
The ultimate fight might be Chantelle Cameron, but Shields said she’d need a lot of money to drop down to welterweight. A catchweight fight between the two would be potentially one of the biggest fight in women’s boxing, even with no belts on the line. It’ll just be interesting to see which way Shields goes.
In other action Saturday, prospect Sarah Liegmann (8-0, 2 KO) won a majority decision at featherweight over Carisse Brown (7-5, 4 KO), who has now lost four straight fights.
This weekend is full of high-level fights, particularly in the junior featherweight division. In Argentina on Saturday, WBA champion Mayerlin Rivas (17-4-2, 11 KO), ESPN’s No. 3 junior featherweight, makes the second defense of her title against undefeated Nazarena Romero (13-0, 7 KO). IBF champion Cherneka Johnson (15-1, 6 KO) is traveling from Australia to the United Kingdom to take on Ellie Scotney (6-0), ESPN’s 2022 women’s prospect of the year. It’s a fight between the No. 4 and No. 5 junior featherweight fighters in ESPN’s rankings.
On the same card as Johnson-Scotney, ESPN’s No. 4-ranked bantamweight, Nina Hughes (5-0, 2 KO), is making the first defense of her WBA title when she fights Katie Healy (6-0). Also, Shannon Ryan (4-0) is taking on Martina Bernile (5-1-1, 1 KO) in a junior bantamweight fight.
In California at junior featherweight, former bantamweight champion Mariana Juarez (55-12-4, 19 KO) is taking on Mayeli Flores (9-1-1, 3 KO). It’s been a tough go for Juarez of late as the former champion has lost three of her last four fights since 2019. And on Tuesday in Japan, Mizuki Hiruta (4-0) makes the first defense of her WBO junior bantamweight title against Casey Morton (11-3-3, 3 KO) in Japan. On the same card, former atomweight title challenger Eri Matsuda (5-1-1, 1 KO) moves up to junior flyweight to take on Nanako Suzuki (7-2, 1 KO).
Rankings will be updated every Tuesday. They’ll be based on recent bouts, head-to-head competition and the 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. For women’s P4P rankings, 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. Lani Daniels 
Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 8-2-2, 0 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Alrie Meleisea, May 27
Next: TBA
2. Alrie Meleisea Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 6-2-1, 0 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Lani Daniels, May 27
Next: TBA
3. Oxandia Castillo Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 19-3-3, 15 KOs
Last: W (UD4) Mery Caba Rancier, March 19, 2022
Next: TBA
4. Angie Paola Rocha 
Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 14-4-3, 7 KOs
Last: L (TKO1)Raquel Miller, March 10
Next: TBA
5. Bolatito Oluwole Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 6-0, 3 KO
Last: W (UD4) Abiola Olawale, March 5
Next: TBA
Editor’s note: Hanna Gabriels and Danielle Perkins have been removed for inactivity.
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, 2022
Next: July 1 vs. Savannah Marshall
2. Shadasia Green Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 12-0, 11 KOs
Last: W (TKO6) Elin Cederroos, Feb. 4
Next: TBA
3. Christina Hammer 
Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 28-1, 13 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Luiza Davydova, May 7, 2022
Next: TBA
4. Angelica Lopez Flores Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 13-1, 7 KOs
Last: L (TKO1) Shadasia Green, Jan. 15, 2022
Next: May 27 vs. Melinda Watpool
5. Elin Cederroos Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 8-2, 4 KOs
Last: L (TKO6) Shadasia Green, Feb. 4
Next: TBA
MIDDLEWEIGHT (Up to 160 pounds)
Shields pours on the punches early en route to victory
On her way to becoming the undisputed champ, Claressa Shields unleashes a flurry of punches in Round 1.
1. Claressa Shields Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 14-0, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Maricela Cornejo, June 3
Next: TBA
2. Savannah Marshall Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 12-1, 10 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Claressa Shields, Oct. 15
Next: July 1 vs. Franchon Crews Dezurn
3. Ema Kozin Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 22-1-1, 12 KOs
Last: W (TKO7) Szilvia Szabados, June 4
Next: TBA
4. Raquel Miller Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 13-0, 6 KOs
Last: W (TKO1) Angie Paola Rocha, March 10
Next: TBA
5. Olivia Curry Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 7-1, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Olivia Gerula, April 8
Next: TBA
JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT (Up to 154 pounds)
1. Natasha Jonas Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 13-2-1, 8 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Marie-Eve Dicaire, Nov. 12
Next: July 1 vs. TBA
2. Terri Harper Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 14-1-1, 6 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Ivana Habazin, May 27
Next: TBA
3. Marie-Eve Dicaire Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 18-2, 1 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Natasha Jonas, Nov. 12
Next: TBA
4. Cecilia Braekhus Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 37-2, 9 KOs
Last: W (UD6) Marisa Joana Portillo, Dec. 17
Next: TBA
5. Patricia Berghult Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 16-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (TKO3) Maria Elena Maderna, March 4
Next: TBA
WELTERWEIGHT (Up to 147 pounds)
1. Jessica McCaskill Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 12-3, 5 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Chantelle Cameron, Nov. 5
Next: TBA
2. Sandy Ryan Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 6-1, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Marie-Pier Houle, April 22
Next: TBA
3. Summer Lynn Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 7-0, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD6) Jaica Pavilus, April 2
Next: TBA
4. Layla McCarter Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 45-13-5, 11 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Halanna dos Santos, March 25, 2022
Next: TBA
5. Marie Pier Houle Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 8-1-1, 2 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Sandy Ryan, April 22
Next: TBA
JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT (Up to 140 pounds)
1. Chantelle Cameron Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 18-0, 8 KOs
Last: W (MD10) Katie Taylor, May 20
Next: TBA
2. Katie Taylor Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 22-1, 6 KOs
Last: L (MD10) Chantelle Cameron, May 20
Next: TBA
3. Jessica McCaskill Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 12-3, 5 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Chantelle Cameron, Nov. 5
Next: TBA
4. Sandy Ryan Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 6-1, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Marie-Pier Houle, April 22
Next: TBA
5. Oshin Derieuw Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 19-0, 7 KOs
Last: W (TKO7) Francia Elena Bravo, Feb. 4
Next: TBA
Kali Reis has been removed due to inactivity.
LIGHTWEIGHT (Up to 135 pounds)
Mikaela Mayer dominates first fight at 135 pounds
Mikaela Mayer wins her first fight at 135 pounds and discusses who she wants next.
1. Katie Taylor Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 22-1, 6 KOs
Last: L (MD10) Chantelle Cameron, May 20
Next: TBA
2. Amanda Serrano Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 44-2-1, 30 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Erika Cruz, Feb. 4
Next: Aug. 5 vs. Heather Hardy
3. Mikaela Mayer Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 18-1, 5 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Lucy Wildheart, April 15
Next: TBA
4. Estelle Mossely Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 11-0, 1 KO
Last: W (UD10) Anisha Basheel, Feb. 17
Next: TBA
5. Yanina del Carmen Lescano Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 13-2, 4 KO
Last: W (KO1) Lorena Edith Agoutborde, April 14
Next: June 16 vs. Caroline Dubois
JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT (Up to 130 pounds)
Alycia Baumgardner beats Mikaela Mayer by split decision
Alycia Baumgardner unifies the junior lightweight belts with a split-decision victory over Mikaela Mayer.
1. Alycia Baumgardner Previous ranking: 1
Record: 14-1, 7 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Elhem Mekhaled, Feb. 4
Next: July 15 vs. Christina Linardatou
2. Delfine Persoon Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 48-3-1 NC, 19 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Bo Mi Re Shin, May 28
Next: TBA
3. Elhem Mekhaled Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 15-2, 3 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Alycia Baumgardner, Feb. 4
Next: May 28 vs. Yuliia Kutsenko
4. Bo Mi Re Shin Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 15-2-3, 8 KOs
Last: L (SD10) Delfine Persoon, May 28
Next: TBA
5. Hyun Mi Choi Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 20-0-1, 5 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Vanessa Bradford, Oct. 19
Next: TBA
Maiva Hamadouche has been removed due to retirement.
FEATHERWEIGHT (Up to 126 pounds)
1. Amanda Serrano Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 44-2-1, 30 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Erika Cruz, Feb. 4
Next: Aug. 5 vs. Heather Hardy
2. Erika Cruz Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 15-2, 3 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Amanda Serrano,Feb. 4
Next: TBA
3. Sarah Mahfoud Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 13-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Veronica Tosi, May 26
Next: TBA
4. Raven Chapman Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 6-0, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Linda Laura Lecca, March 25
Next: TBA
5. Daniela Romina Bermudez Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 31-4-3, 11 KOs
Last: W (TKO5) Daniela Barbara Rivero, April 22
Next: TBA
JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHT (Up to 122 pounds)
1. Yamileth Mercado Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 21-3, 5 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Kudakwashe Chiwandire, March 18
Next: TBA
2. Segolene Lefebvre Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 17-0, 1 KO
Last: W (UD10) Debora Anahi Dionicius, April 29
Next: TBA
3. Mayerlin Rivas Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 17-4-2, 11 KOs
Last: W (TKO3) Karina Fernandez, June 10
Next: June 10 vs. Nazarena Romero
4. Cherneka Johnson Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 15-1, 6 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Susie Ramadan, Oct. 15
Next: June 10 vs. Ellie Scotney
5. Ellie Scotney Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 6-0, 0 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Mary Romero, Oct. 29
Next: June 10 vs. Cherneka Johnson
BANTAMWEIGHT (Up to 118 pounds)
1. Dina Thorslund Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 19-0, 8 KOs
Last: W (TKO8) Debora Anahi Lopez, Feb. 25
Next: TBA
2. Yuliahn Luna Avila Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 25-3-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Vanesa Lorena Taborda, March 17
Next: TBA
3. Ebanie Bridges Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 9-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (TKO8) Shannon O’Connell, Dec. 10
Next: TBA
4. Nina Hughes Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 5-0, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Jamie Mitchell, Nov. 26
Next: June 10 vs. Katie Healy
5. Diana Laura Fernandez Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 27-4-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Nataly Delgado, Dec. 15
Next: TBA
JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHT (Up to 115 pounds)
1. Diana Laura Fernandez Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 27-4-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Nataly Delgado, Dec. 15
Next: TBA
2. Asley Gonzalez Macias Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 16-2, 7 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Lourdes Juarez, March 25
Next: TBA
3. Micaela Lujan Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 11-1-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (MD10) Irma Garcia, Aug. 20
Next: TBA
4. Clara Lescurat Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 9-0, 4 KOs
Last: W (TKO8) Daniela De Jesus Aguiar, May 20
Next: TBA
5. Lourdes Juarez Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 34-4, 4 KOs
Last: L (SD10) Asley Gonzalez Macias, March 25
Next: TBA
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: May 27 vs. Gabriela Celeste Alaniz
2. Arely Mucino Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 32-3-2, 11 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Leonela Paola Yudica, Oct. 29
Next: TBA
3. Gabriela Celeste Alaniz Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 14-0, 6 KOs
Last: W (TKO9) Debora Rengifo, Sept. 24
Next: May 27 vs. Marlen Esparza
4. Ibeth Zamora Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 33-7, 12 KOs
Last: W (TKO4) Jessica Martinez Castillo, Oct. 29
Next: TBA
5. Gabriela Fundora Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 11-0, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Maria Micheo Santizo, April 8
Next: TBA
JUNIOR FLYWEIGHT (Up to 108 pounds)
1. Jessica Nery Plata Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 29-2, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Kim Clavel, Jan. 13
Next: TBA
2. Evelin Bermudez Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 18-0-1, 6 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Tania Enriquez, March 10
Next: TBA
3. Kim Clavel Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 17-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Naomi Arellano Reyes, May 12
Next: TBA
4. Anabel Ortiz Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 33-5, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Maria Micheo Santizo, Oct. 20
Next: TBA
5. Tania Enriquez Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 20-1, 9 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Evelin Bermudez, March 10
Next: TBA
STRAWWEIGHT (Up to 105 pounds)
1. Seniesa Estrada Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 24-0, 9 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Tina Rupprecht, March 25
Next: July 28 vs. TBA
2. Yokasta Valle Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 28-2, 9 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Jessica Basulto, March 25
Next: TBA
3. Sarah Bormann Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 16-0, 7 KO
Last: W (UD10) Yadira Bustillos, May 13
Next: TBA
4. Tina Rupprecht Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 12-1-1, 3 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Seniesa Estrada, March 25
Next: TBA
5. Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 5-1, 1 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Yokasta Valle, Sept. 8
Next: TBA
ATOMWEIGHT (Up to 102 pounds)
1. Monserrat Alarcon Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 18-4-2, 0 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Brenda Balderas Martiinez, Sept. 30
Next: TBA
2. Mika Iwakawa Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 12-6-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (TKO3) Ploypailin Palatsrichuai, Feb. 26
Next: TBA
3. Fabiana Bytyqi Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 20-0-2, 5 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Elizabeth Lopez Corzo, April 15
Next: TBA
4. Yuko Kuroki Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 21-7-2, 9 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Nanae Suzuki, March 30
Next: TBA
5. Ayaka Miyao Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 25-10-2, 6 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Mika Iwakawa, Sept. 1
Next: TBA
