WBC, WBO, IBF and Ring Magazine featherweight titleholder Amanda Serrano gets her first chance to become an undisputed champion this Saturday, February 4, when she takes on WBA counterpart Erika Cruz at the Hulu Theatre at Madison Square Garden.
Puerto Rico’s Serrano (43-2-1, 30 KOs) is a seven-weight world champion – a record in the women’s game – and she’s one of the finest pound-for-pound fighters today. The 34-year-old southpaw went unbeaten for 10 years before losing a razor-thin split decision to Ireland’s Katie Taylor last April. That bout was named The Sporting News’ Fight of the Year for 2022, and the pair look destined to have a rematch at Croke Park in Ireland this summer.
As with the men’s game, there’s fiery debate among fans about who the best female fighter in the world is, pound-for-pound. Women’s boxing has never been stronger, showing no signs of slowing down. The best matchups are getting made consistently, there are earnest attempts to unify almost every division, and some of the action in 2022 was of the highest caliber.
The Sporting News recently gathered opinions from a half dozen members of its combat team to produce its own top-12 women’s pound-for-pound list:
WATCH ON DAZN: Amanda Serrano vs. Erika Cruz
1. Claressa Shields
- Record: 13-0 (2 KOs)
- Titles held: Reigning two-time undisputed middleweight champion, former undisputed super-middleweight champion, former IBF, WBA, and The Ring light-middleweight champion
The self-proclaimed “G.W.O.A.T.” has earned that nickname, as she has backed up all of her trash-talk.
Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, turned pro in 2016. At only 13-0, Shields is a three-time undisputed champion, having held all the titles at super-middleweight once and the middleweight division twice.
The 27-year-old won two fights in 2022, her last bout being a unanimous decision win over Savannah Marshall in October. She avenged the only loss of her career (in the amateurs) against Marshall, and became the undisputed middleweight champion for a second time while main eventing a sold-out O2 Arena.
That extremely convincing victory — which came after initially seeing the grudge match postponed with only two days’ notice, due to the passing of the Queen — led to Shields being named The Sporting News’ Women’s Boxer of the Year.
Next fight: The possibilities are endless for Shields entering 2023. Along with competing for the Professional Fighters League, she could face Marshall in a rematch or face super-welterweight champion Natasha Jonas.
MORE: Could Claressa Shields’ 2023 include Jonas fight and Marshall rematch?
2. Katie Taylor
- Record: 22-0 (6 KOs)
- Titles held: Reigning undisputed lightweight champion, former WBO junior-welterweight champion
The undisputed lightweight champion of the world, Katie Taylor is highly regarded by many in boxing.
The 2012 Olympic gold medalist made her debut in 2016 and has taken down a Murderers’ Row of competitors. Taylor has beaten the likes of Jessica McCaskill, Victoria Bustos, Eva Wahlstrom, Rose Volante, Delfine Persoon, Natasha Jonas, and Amanda Serrano. Her “never give up” attitude has resulted in cult hero status overseas.
Taylor and Serrano tore the house down inside Madison Square Garden in 2022’s Fight of the Year. At 37, it is unknown how much longer “The Bray Bomber” will continue to fight, but while boxing fans still have her, she will look to resume her run as one of boxing’s best.
Next fight: Realistic and out-of-the-ordinary bouts have been linked to Taylor. She could face Chantelle Cameron or MMA star and former boxer Holly Holm. However, everyone’s interest is a rematch against Serrano. Croke Park in Ireland is the desired destination, and a Serrano sequel with over 80,000 fans rooting her on does sound enticing.
3. Amanda Serrano
- Record: 43-2-1 (30 KOs)
- Titles held: Reigning WBC, WBO, IBO, IBF, and The Ring featherweight champion, former IBF super-featherweight champion, former WBO lightweight champion, former WBO junior-featherweight champion, former WBO bantamweight champion, former, former WBO light-welterweight champion, WBO junior-bantamweight champion,
Speaking of Serrano, “The Real Deal” is just that.
Serrano is a seven-division champion (a Guinness World Record for women in boxing) with over 40 wins. Making her pro debut in 2009, Serrano has moved up and down weight classes with great success. She is one behind Manny Pacquiao for the record of title wins in different weight divisions. Although she had her 28-fight win streak snapped by Taylor in an instant classic, she proved that all her hard work over the years paid off.
She has rebounded since that fight and is looking for more gold. Not only has she taken over the boxing world, but Serrano has dipped her toes in MMA.
Next fight: Serrano will fight Erika Cruz in an attempt to become the undisputed featherweight champion. That will happen inside MSG’s Hulu Theater on February 4. Following that, the hope is that she can fight Taylor inside Croke Park before the end of the year. If all goes according to plan, she will look to end 2023 as a two-division undisputed champion.
MORE: Amanda Serrano fight reignites debate on two vs. three-minute rounds
4. Chantelle Cameron
- Record: 17-0 (8 KOs)
- Titles held: Reigning undisputed light-welterweight champion, former IBO lightweight champion
The Northampton-born Cameron used her love of Jean-Claude van Damme movies and Buffy the Vampire Slayer to transition into one of the top boxers with a pulse.
After losing in the semi-finals of the 2011 EU Championships to Katie Taylor, the 31-year-old continued her amateur run before turning pro in 2017. She immediately made an impact, winning lightweight gold.
Cameron started her run as the light-welterweight queen in 2020. She cemented her status in 2022, beating Victoria Bustos and undisputed welterweight champion Jessica McCaskill. Beating the latter resulted in her earning the status of undisputed at light-welterweight.
Not only does she know how to fight with the best of them, but she packs a mean punch.
Next fight: Cameron is waiting for her next opponent. The WBO recently ordered Cameron to face Christina Linardatou, but it is unknown if that fight will come to fruition. Other options include a rematch with McCaskill, potentially for welterweight gold, and former champion Mikaela Mayer.
MORE: All you need to know about Amanda Serrano vs. Erika Cruz
5. Alycia Baumgardner
- Record: 13-1 (7 KOs)
- Titles held: Reigning WBC, IBO, WBO, IBF, and The Ring super-featherweight champion
The young Alycia Baumgardner is as dangerous as anyone in the sport.
“The Bomb” hits to hurt, as Terri Harper saw in 2021 when she was knocked out on her feet by Baumgardner. Winning the WBO and IBO titles in the process, Baumgardner immediately had one goal in mind: undisputed.
She dominated against Edith Soledad Matthysse in April 2022 and then competed in a gritty war against rival Mikaela Mayer in October. In a fight where both women put on a clinic, Baumgardner came out on top to win Mayer’s WBO, IBF, and The Ring super-featherweight titles.
Next fight: Baumgardner has requested to face Hyun Mi Choi, the WBA super-featherweight champion, for quite some time. Now that the latter has been named “Champion in Recess,” Baumgardner is set to fight Elhem Mekhaled for the chance to become undisputed on the undercard of Serrano vs. Cruz on February 4.
WATCH ON DAZN: Alycia Baumgardner on the Amanda Serrano vs. Erika Cruz undercard
6. Jessica McCaskill
- Record: 12-3 (5 KOs)
- Titles held: Reigning undisputed welterweight champion, former WBA and WBC light-welterweight champion
Despite a recent loss, “CasKILLA” is still the queen of the welterweights. Beating the mighty Cecilia Braekhus for all the gold, McCaskill has defended the belts three times.
She has been on quite a run, going 7-1 since losing to Katie Taylor in 2017. McCaskill hit a setback with the IBF removing her as champion after facing Cameron in November. However, everyone knows the division runs through McCaskill.
Next fight: The WBC has ordered a bout between McCaskill and former middleweight champion Ivana Habazin. There is also interest in a rematch with Cameron at some point.
7. Seniesa Estrada
- Record: 23-0 (9 KOs)
- Titles held: Reigning WBA minimumweight champion
Estrada is known as “Super Bad,” and in a 12-year professional career, she’s lived up to her ring moniker. The undefeated Los Angeles native scored the fastest knockout in women’s boxing history when she blasted out the hapless Miranda Adkins in just seven seconds.
The 30-year-old boxer-puncher, who previously held a world title at light-flyweight, has scored notable wins over Marlen Esparza (TD 9), Anabel Ortiz (UD 10) and Tenkai Tsunami (UD 10).
Next Fight: Estrada is scheduled to face unbeaten WBC minimumweight champion Tina Rupprecht in a unification bout on March 25.
8. Savannah Marshall
- Record: 12-1 (10 KOs)
- Titles held: Former WBO middleweight champion
Although Amanda Serrano may argue, Marshall is generally regarded as the hardest pound-for-pound puncher in the women’s game. The ex-champ has an eye-popping 77% knockout ratio, and some of her stoppages have been absolutely devastating.
Marshall, 31, recently lost her unbeaten record to former amateur rival and pound-for-pound supremo Claressa Shields (UD 10), but she is still in the hunt at the elite level.
Among her career victories are Hannah Rankin (TKO 7), Maria Lindberg (TKO 3), and Femke Hermans (KO 3).
Next Fight: There have been rumors of a rematch with Shields in 2023.
🏟 @Savmarshall1 may want the @Claressashields rematch in Newcastle next – but the GWOAT’s team have other plans.
🤩 @Dsalita sees her following in Muhammad Ali’s footsteps by fighting in Africa! pic.twitter.com/S41LErcba5
— Sporting News Boxing (@sn_fights) January 30, 2023
9. Delfine Persoon
- Record: 47-3 (19 KOs)
- Titles held: Former WBC lightweight champion
While Persoon made nine defenses of the WBC lightweight title, she is best known for pushing Katie Taylor to the limit in June 2019.
Many felt the Belgium-based volume puncher came out on the wrong end of a 10-round split decision when the pair met in an undisputed title clash. Taylor then claimed a hard-fought unanimous decision in the rematch; a result which forced Persoon down to 130 pounds.
While closer to the end of her career than the beginning, the 38-year-old former champ remains a hard night’s work for anyone at junior-lightweight.
Next Fight: N/A
MORE: ‘Undisputed’ makes history with playable women’s boxers
10. Natasha Jonas
- Record: 13-2-1 (8 KOs)
- Titles held: Reigning IBF, WBC, and WBO junior-middleweight champion
What a story this is! A former Olympian, Jonas was held to a draw by then-WBC super-featherweight champ Terri Harper, and narrowly outpointed by lightweight champ Katie Taylor. Running out of options, the Liverpool star raised eyebrows when she decided to roll the dice at junior-middleweight.
The gamble paid off for the amiable lefty who has gone from strength to strength. Over the past year, Jonas, 38, has knocked off Chris Namus (TKO 2), Patricia Berghult (UD 10) and Marie Eve Dicaire to become the unified champ at 154 pounds.
Next Fight: Talks are now underway for a clash with pound-for-pound queen Claressa Shields.
👑 Is @Claressashields vs. @TashaJonas now the biggest fight in women’s boxing? pic.twitter.com/XTj3InoulX
— Sporting News Boxing (@sn_fights) January 26, 2023
11. Mikaela Mayer
- Record: 17-1 (5 KOs)
- Titles held: Former IBF, WBO, and Ring Magazine super-featherweight champion
Mayer is personable, and has an infectious smile, but this California-based ex-champ is all business.
The 32-year-old pressure fighter partially unified the 130-pound division before targeting WBC counterpart Alycia Baumgardner in a unification bout. It was a close encounter in London last October, and Baumgardner was given the nod by 10-round split decision. It was a disappointing setback for Mayer, who has vowed to regroup.
Mayer’s career-best wins include Ewa Brodnicka (UD 10), Erika Farias (UD 10) and Maiva Hamadouche (UD 10).
Next fight: The talk now is that Mayer will move onto lightweight. Former 140-pound champ Christina Linardatou has been mentioned as a possible opponent.
MORE: 50 years later, George Foreman describes his epic annihilation of Joe Frazier
12. Franchon Crews-Dezurn
- Record: 8-1, one no-contest (2 KOs)
- Titles held: Reigning undisputed super-middleweight champion
“The Heavy Hitting Diva” has come a long way since losing her first fight to future pound-for-pound No.1 Claressa Shields, who was also making her pro debut, in November 2016.
Crews-Dezurn became WBC champ in her seventh fight when she outpointed Maricela Cornejo (MD10) in Las Vegas. One year later, the rematch saw the Baltimore-based fighter add the vacant WBO title to her collection on a unanimous decision.
However, the career highlight was Crews-Dezurn becoming the first undisputed super-middleweight champion in boxing history at the expense of Elin Cederroos (UD 10).
Next Fight: Crews-Dezurn recently called out former middleweight champ Savannah Marshall.
MORE: Boxing’s 30 most desired fights in 2023
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