Last week, Yamileth Mercado, ESPN’s No. 1 junior featherweight, defended her WBC title in a unanimous decision win over Kudakwashe Chiwandire in Mexico. Mercado (21-3, 5 KO) fought for the first time this year and now could be an obvious opponent for the winner of a number of fights coming up — including the Ellie Scotney-Cherneka Johnson fight on May 20. Chiwandire (6-3-1, 4 KO) had held the interim belt in 2022.
This past Friday, Yuliahn Luna Avila (25-3-1, 4 KO), ESPN’s No. 2 bantamweight, defended her WBC title with a unanimous decision win over Vanesa Lorena Taborda (11-15-3, 1 KO).
Last Thursday, Karla Ramos Zamora (10-9-1, 3 KO) upset Jessica Camara (10-4, 2 KO) at junior welterweight. The loss sent Camara, who was No. 4 in ESPN rankings in the division, out of the Top 5. Sandy Ryan moved from No. 5 to No. 4. Oshin Derieuw (19-0, 7 KO) enters the ratings at No. 5.
Looking ahead, one of the more intriguing unification fights of 2023 takes place Saturday night, as Seniesa Estrada faces Tina Rupprecht in a strawweight unification bout.
The fight, which takes place as the co-feature on the Jose Ramirez-Richard Commey card in Fresno, California (ESPN/ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET), could be a start of a massive year in the division.
Estrada (23-0, 9 KO), is the WBA champion, ESPN’s top-rated fighter in the division and the No. 8 pound-for-pound fighter in the world. She’ll make her 2023 debut against Rupprecht (12-0-1, 3 KO), the WBC champion and ESPN’s No. 3 strawweight. This is the first time Rupprecht has fought outside Europe as a professional.
The winner could be in line for an undisputed title fight against Yokasta Valle, the No. 2 fighter in the division and the WBO and IBF champion.
Valle (27-2, 9 KO) is also fighting Saturday night — defending her titles against Jessica Basulto (11-0, 3 KO) as the main event on a card in Costa Rica on BLK Prime. Valle last fought in November, when she beat Evelin Bermudez for the IBF and WBO junior flyweight titles she has since vacated.
Maricela Cornejo, ESPN’s No. 3 middleweight, is also on the Valle-Basulto card, against a yet-to-be-announced opponent. Also on Saturday, Raven Chapman (5-0, 2 KO), ESPN’s No. 5 featherweight, takes on Linda Laura Lecca (15-5-2, 3 KO) in Telford, England.
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
2. Shadasia Green Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 12-0, 10 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
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)
1. Claressa Shields Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 13-0, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Savannah Marshall, Oct. 15
Next: TBA
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: 15-5, 5 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Simone Aparecida da Silva, March 25, 2022
Next: March 25 vs. 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. Layla McCarter Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 45-13-5, 11 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Halanna dos Santos, March 25, 2022
Next: TBA
3. Summer Lynn Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 7-0, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD6) Jaica Pavilus, April 2
Next: TBA
4. Ivana Habazin Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 21-4, 7 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Diana Prazak, Oct. 22
Next: TBA
5. Marie Pier Houle Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 8-0-1, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Marisol Moreno, Jan. 13
Next: April 22 vs. Sandy Ryan
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. 5
Record: 5-1, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Anahi Ester Sanchez, Nov. 26
Next: April 22 vs. Marie-Pier Houle
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)
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. Estelle Yoka Mossely Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 11-0, 1 KO
Last: W (UD10) Anisha Basheel, Feb. 17
Next: TBA
4. Delfine Persoon Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 47-3-1NC, 19 KOs
Last: NC (No contest) Ikram Kerwat, Nov. 13
Next: TBA
5. Yanina del Carmen Lescano Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 12-2, 3 KO
Last: W (UD10) Lizbeth Crespo, Oct, 14
Next: TBA
JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT (Up to 130 pounds)
1. Alycia Baumgardner Previous ranking: 2
Record: 14-1, 7 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Elhem Mekhaled, Feb. 4
Next: TBA
2. Mikaela Mayer Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 17-1, 5 KOs
Last: L (SD10) Alycia Baumgardner, Oct. 15
Next: April 15 vs. Christina Linardatou
3. Maiva Hamadouche Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 22-2, 18 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Mikaela Mayer, Nov. 5, 2021
Next: TBA
4. Delfine Persoon Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 47-3-1NC, 19 KOs
Last: NC (No contest) Ikram Kerwat, Nov. 13
Next: TBA
5. Elhem Mekhaled Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 15-2, 3 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Alycia Baumgardner, Feb. 4
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. Brenda Karen Carabajal Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 18-5-1, 9 KOs
Last: W (MD10) Debora Anahi Dionicius, May 13
Next: TBA
5. Raven Chapman Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 5-0, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD6) Fatuma Yazidu, Nov. 12
Next: March 25 vs. Linda Laura Lecca
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: TBA
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: May 20 vs. Ellie Scotney
5. Ellie Scotney Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 6-0, 0 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Mary Romero, Oct. 29
Next: May 20 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. 3
Record: 26-4-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Gabriela Bouvier, Aug. 27
Next: TBA
2. Asley Gonzalez Macias Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 15-2, 7 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Lourdes Juarez, Oct. 1
Next: TBA
3. Micaela Lujan Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 11-1-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (MD10) Irma Garcia, Aug. 20
Next: TBA
4. Clara Lescurat Previous ranking: N. 5
Record: 8-0, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Naylea Gil Sanabia, Oct. 28
Next: TBA
5. Lourdes Juarez Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 34-3, 4 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Asley Gonzalez Macias, Oct. 1
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: TBA
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: TBA
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: 10-0, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Tania Garcia, Feb. 23
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
Note: Seniesa Estrada has been removed for inactivity in the division. Yakasta Valle vacated her IBF and WBO titles to compete at strawweight and was removed from junior flyweight.
STRAWWEIGHT (Up to 105 pounds)
1. Seniesa Estrada Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 23-0, 9 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Jazmin Gala Villarino, Nov. 12
Next: March 25 vs. Tina Rupprecht
2. Yokasta Valle Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 27-2, 9 KOs
Last: W (MD10) Evelin Bermudez, Nov. 26
Next: March 25 vs. Jessica Basulto
3. Tina Rupprecht Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 12-0-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Rocio Gaspar, Dec. 10
Next: March 25 vs. Seniesa Estrada
4. Sarah Bormann Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 15-0, 7 KO
Last: W (UD10) Elizabeth Lopez Corzo, Sept. 24
Next: TBA
5. Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen Previous ranking: N/R
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 KO
Last: W (UD10) Brenda Balderas Martiinez, Sept. 30
Next: TBA
2. Mika Iwakawa Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 12-6-1, 4 KO
Last: W (TKO3) Ploypailin Palatsrichuai, Feb. 26
Next: TBA
3. Fabiana Bytyqi Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 19-0-2, 5 KO
Last: D (SD10) Elizabeth Lopez Corzo, Jul. 29
Next: TBA
4. Ayaka Miyao Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 25-10-2, 6 KO
Last: L (UD10) Mika Iwakawa, Sept. 1
Next: TBA
5. Eri Matsuda Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 5-1-1, 1 KO
Last: W (UD10) Kaori Nagai, Sept. 1
Next: TBA