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Michael Rothstein, ESPN Staff Writer
Ellie Scotney has a title — and a nice shiny high spot in the rankings to go with it.
Scotney, who beat Cherneka Johnson to win the IBF junior featherweight title on Saturday, moved up to No. 2 in ESPN’s divisional rankings, a continued ascent for ESPN’s women’s prospect of the year in 2022.
Scotney (7-0) handled Johnson fairly easily in the unanimous decision win. Johnson (15-2, 6 KO), who was making her second title defense, suffered the second loss of her career but remained at No. 4 in ESPN’s divisional ratings. At age 28, she could be back again soon.
On the undercard, Nina Hughes made the first defense of her WBA bantamweight title, beating Katie Healy in a nearly flawless unanimous decision. Hughes (6-0, 2 KO), ESPN’s No. 4 bantamweight, could help set up a unification fight against either Ebanie Bridges or the division’s longest current champion, Yulihan Luna. Healy (6-1) suffered the first loss of her career.
In Argentina, WBA junior featherweight champion Mayerlin Rivas (17-4-3, 11 KO) fought to a technical draw against Nazarena Romero (13-0-1, 7 KO) after Romero suffered a significant cut over her left eye in Round 5 due to an accidental clash of heads and wasn’t able to continue. With three wildly varying cards of 44-50 , 48-46 and 47-47, the fight was deemed a splt draw.
Romero fought well, earning respect for her effort. Rivas dropped in the ESPN ratings from No. 3 to No. 5 due to Scotney’s rise and how she fought against Romero, which included Rivas being knocked down in the third round.
In California, Mayeli Flores (10-1-1, 3 KO) won a clear unanimous decision against the legendary Mariana Juarez (55-13-4, 19 KO), the fourth loss in the last five fights for the longtime former WBC bantamweight champion. Also on Saturday, Edina Kiss won a split decision over Nicole Wesner in Vienna, Austria, where the previously undefeated Wesner lives. It snapped a nine-match losing streak for Kiss (16-17, 9 KO) dating back to 2018. Kiss is consistently a gatekeeper for some of the best young fighters in the game, so the victory over Wesner (18-1, 8 KO) may be the best win of Kiss’ career.
This Friday, ESPN’s No. 5 lightweight, Yanina del Carmen Lescano (13-2, 4 KO) has an intriguing fight against prospect Caroline Dubois in London. If Dubois (6-0, 5 KO) wins, she’ll move into the lightweight rankings as this is a matchup between the Nos. 5 and No. 6 fighters.
On Saturday, Femke Hermans (15-4, 6 KO) faces Maria Lindberg (20-8-2, 10 KO) at junior middleweight — her new division. Hermans becomes another contender in a weight class getting deeper and deeper despite Natasha Jonas holding three of the four titles with Terri Harper holding the fourth.
In New Orleans, Ramla Ali (8-0, 2 KO) is taking on Julissa Alejandra Guzman (12-2-2, 6 KO) in a junior featherweight bout — a good challenge for Ali as Guzman’s losses have come to Yolanda Vega in her debut in 2015 and Yamileth Mercado, the WBC champion, in 2021. On the same card, former U.S. Olympian Ginny Fuchs (2-0) returns to the ring to face Indeya Smith (6-7-2, 1 KO) in a junior bantamweight fight.
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)
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: 16-2, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Yuliia Kutsenko, May 28
Next: TBA
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. Ellie Scotney Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 7-0, 0 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Cherneka Johnson, June 10
Next: TBA
3. Segolene Lefebvre Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 17-0, 1 KO
Last: W (UD10) Debora Anahi Dionicius, April 29
Next: TBA
4. Cherneka Johnson Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 15-2, 6 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Ellie Scotney, June 10
Next: TBA
5. Mayerlin Rivas Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 17-4-3, 11 KOs
Last: TD (Draw 5) Nazarena Romero, June 10
Next: TBA
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: No. 4
Record: 6-0, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Katie Healy, June 10
Next: TBA
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
