In her seventh professional fight, Sandy Ryan became a world champion.
Ryan won the vacant WBO welterweight title by beating Canadian Marie Pier Houle by unanimous decision, 99-91, 98-92, 97-93, Saturday night in Cardiff, Wales. It comes 13 months after her lone defeat, a split-decision loss to Erica Farias.
It’s a massive win for Ryan (6-1, 2 KO), who at age 29 has a chance to grow her profile in the sport — and fast.
Ryan moves to No. 2 in the welterweight rankings behind WBC and WBA champion Jessica McCaskill — and stays at No. 4 in the junior welterweight rankings, where she’s contested her two fights before this. It’s part of a shakeup of the division, which sees Houle (8-1-1, 2 KO) drop to No. 5.
A smart matchup to make for Ryan would be against McCaskill, who was the last undisputed champion in the division and is also the No. 1 contender for the now vacant IBF title she previously held. A possible Ryan-McCaskill fight for the undisputed welterweight championship could easily be made since both are aligned with Matchroom Boxing.
In other results this weekend, featherweight Skye Nicolson (7-0) beat Linda Laura Lecca (15-7-2, 3 KO) on points, 80-72. The next fight for Nicolson should be another step up in competition.
At featherweight in Argentina, Daniela Romina Bermudez stopped Daniela Barbara Rivero in the fifth round. Bermudez (31-4-3, 11 KO), whose only loss since 2014 came to Amanda Serrano, moves to No. 5 in her division even though the win came against a less-than-stellar opponent. Rivero (9-5, 1 KO) has lost four of her last six fights including being stopped twice.
This Saturday, there’s a title on the line when WBO junior featherweight champion Debora Anahi Dionicius (35-4, 6 KO) takes on former WBO junior featherweight champion Segolene Lefebvre (16-0, 1 KO) in France. Lefebvre, who had her title stripped by the organization last year due to injury, is ESPN’s No. 2 fighter in the division. It’s the first title defense for Dionicus, who won the title last December in a unanimous decision win over Marcela Eliana Acuna.
Also on Saturday, former IBF flyweight champion Leonela Paola Yudica (18-1-3, 1 KO) faces former WBO flyweight champion Tamara Elisabet Demarco (11-5) in a junior flyweight bout. On the same card, former WBO bantamweight champion Carolina Raquel Duer (20-6-2, 6 KO) fights for the first time since 2021 when she faces former IBF flyweight champion Gabriela Bouvier (16-12-1, 3 KO) in a junior featherweight bout.
On Sunday in Germany, 22-year-old prospect Phannarai Netisri (12-0, 5 KO) is making her 2023 debut against Hasna Tukic (12-9, 9 KO) at junior featherweight. And in a sneaky good bantamweight fight in Istanbul, Mary Romero (8-3, 2 KO) takes on Seren Cetin (10-0, 7 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: 7-2-2, 0 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Sequita Hemingway, March 10
Next: May 27 vs. Alrie Meleisea
2. Alrie Meleisea Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 6-1-1, 0 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Sequita Hemingway, Dec. 9
Next: May 27 vs. Lani Daniels
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: 14-3-3, 7 KOs
Last: W (TKO1) Paola Esther Herrera, Feb. 24
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
Next: TBA vs. Shadasia Green
2. Shadasia Green Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 12-0, 10 KOs
Last: W (TKO6) Elin Cederroos, Feb. 4
Next: TBA vs. Franchon Crews Dezurn
3. Christina Hammer 
Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 28-1, 13 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Luiza Davydova, May 7
Next: TBA
4. Angelica Lopez Flores Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 13-1, 7 KOs
Last: L (TKO1) Shadasia Green, Jan. 15, 2021
Next: TBA
5. Elin Cederroos Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 8-1, 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: 13-0, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Savannah Marshall, Oct. 15
Next: June 3 vs. Hanna Gabriels
2. Savannah Marshall Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 12-1, 10 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Claressa Shields, Oct. 15
Next: TBA
3. Maricela Cornejo Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 16-5, 6 KOs
Last: W (TKO1) Sheila Cunha, 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: 12-0, 5 KOs
Last: W (TKO1) Sheila Cunha, Sept. 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: TBA
2. Terri Harper Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 13-1-1, 6 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Hannah Ranking, Sept. 24
Next: May 20 vs. Cecilia Braekhus
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: May 20 vs. Terri Harper
5. Patricia Berghult Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 15-1, 3 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Natasha Jonas, Sept. 3
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: 17-0, 8 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Jessica McCaskill, Nov. 5
Next: May 20 vs. Katie Taylor
2. Jessica McCaskill Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 12-3, 5 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Chantelle Cameron, Nov. 5
Next: TBA
3. Kali Reis Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 19-7-1, 5 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Jessica Camara, Nov. 19, 2021
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
LIGHTWEIGHT (Up to 135 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. Katie Taylor Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 22-0, 6 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Karen Elizabeth Carabajal, Oct. 29
Next: May 20 vs. Chantelle Cameron
2. Amanda Serrano Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 44-2-1, 30 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Erika Cruz, Feb. 4
Next: TBA
3. Mikaela Mayer Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 18-1, 5 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Lucy Wildheart, April 15
Next: TBA
4. Estelle Yoka 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: 12-2, 3 KO
Last: W (UD10) Lizbeth Crespo, Oct, 14
Next: TBA
JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT (Up to 130 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. Alycia Baumgardner Previous ranking: 2
Record: 14-1, 7 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Elhem Mekhaled, Feb. 4
Next: TBA
2. Maiva Hamadouche Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 22-2, 18 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Mikaela Mayer, Nov. 5, 2021
Next: TBA
3. Delfine Persoon Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 47-3-1NC, 19 KOs
Last: NC (No contest) Ikram Kerwat, Nov. 13
Next: TBA
4. Elhem Mekhaled Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 15-2, 3 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Alycia Baumgardner, Feb. 4
Next: TBA
5. Bo Mi Re Shin Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 15-1-3, 8 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Diana Rodriguez, Feb. 18
Next: TBA
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: TBA
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: 12-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Lara Ochmann, March 4
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. 3
Record: 16-0, 1 KO
Last: W (UD10) Melania Sorroche, May 7
Next: April 29 vs. Debora Anahi Dionicius
3. Mayerlin Rivas Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 17-4-2, 11 KOs
Last: W (TKO3) Karina Fernandez, June 10
Next: TBA
4. Cherneka Johnson Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 15-1, 6 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Susie Ramadan, Oct. 15
Next: TBA vs. Ellie Scotney
5. Ellie Scotney Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 6-0, 0 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Mary Romero, Oct. 29
Next: TBA vs. Cherneka Johnson
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: 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: TBA
5. Diana Laura Fernandez Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 26-4-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Gabriela Bouvier, Aug. 27
Next: TBA
JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHT (Up to 115 pounds)
1. Diana Laura Fernandez Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 26-4-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Gabriela Bouvier, Aug. 27
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: 8-0, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Naylea Gil Sanabia, Oct. 28
Next: TBA
5. Lourdes Juarez Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 34-4, 4 KOs
Last: L (SD10) Asley Gonzalez Macias, March 25
Next: TBA
Note: Guadalupe Martinez Guzman has been removed for inactivity in the division.
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. 1
Record: 16-1, 3 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Jessica Nery Plata, Jan. 13
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 22 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. 4
Record: 15-0, 7 KO
Last: W (UD10) Elizabeth Lopez Corzo, Sept. 24
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
