Top 12 Pound for Pound List for ThePrizefighters.com in June 2023 and More News
By David A. Avila
It was Claressa Shields turn in the spotlight and the undisputed middleweight champion banged her way to victory over the very strong Maricela Cornejo by decision in Detroit last weekend.
Shields again substantiated her position as the best female fighter pound for pound.
Whether it was Cornejo, Savannah Marshall or Hanna Gabriels, the opposition mattered not. Shields has more tools and weapons than anyone from super welterweight to heavyweight. Yes, even heavyweights will not defeat her any time soon.
One missing ingredient with Shields is a strong left hook. It’s a lethal weapon in men’s boxing, but it is evident that its sorely lacking in the women’s fight game. Very few women, except Seniesa Estrada and Amanda Serrano, possess a powerful hook. In Serrano’s case it’s a right hook.
A hook scores more knockdowns and knockouts simply because of its stealthy nature. It seldom is seen until it’s too late. A fighter with a hook can go a very long way, just take a look at Oscar De La Hoya and Miguel Cotto’s careers. Many of their victims never saw the blow coming.
Shields could benefit from an explosive left hook. Last Saturday I think she connected with one left hook. It was the best blow of the night. Cornejo also had no hook to fall back on.
The women’s fight game continues to grow.
Here are the Top 12 female fighters pound for pound:
1.Claressa Shields (14-0) USA – only age and lack of activity can beat Claressa Shields. Watching her perform in person is the best way to see her incredible speed and skills. Shields could dominate all the divisions from 154 to heavyweight it she desired.
2.Amanda Serrano (44-2-1) USA – Many felt she beat Katie Taylor when they met a year ago. It was a close fight for Serrano who dropped back down to her more natural featherweight class. She has seven world titles in seven weight divisions. That’s incredible. Her performance against Katie Taylor and Erika Cruz was marvelous.
3.Chantelle Cameron (18-0) UK – Her win against Katie Taylor proved that she is one of the best of the best. Now who does she fight? She could go to welterweight for another crack at Jessica McCaskill. Or she could bypass that and go after fellow Brits Natasha Jonas and Terri Harper. Strength and technical skill are her primary assets.
4.Katie Taylor (22-1) Ire – Despite suffering her first loss, the Irish fighter remains one of the top draws in all of boxing. Her skills continue to improve but so does the opposition. Where would women’s boxing be without Katie Taylor? Whatever direction she takes will be watched by millions of fans. A rematch against Cameron or Serrano is there if she desires.
5.Seniesa Estrada (24-0) USA – The minimumweight and light flyweight champion seeks a showdown with Yokasta Valle, but that will have to wait. Seniesa Estrada continues to attract fans with her electrifying style of speed and power.
6.Alycia Baumgardner (14-1) USA – The undisputed super featherweight champion will be looking to avenge her only loss in July when she fights Christina Linardatou in Detroit. Their first fight took place five years ago. A lot has changed for both.
7.Franchon Crews-Dezurn (8-1) USA – the undisputed super middleweight champion has not fought since defeating Elin Cederroos in April 2022. It’s not her fault but she’s anxious and ready to fight Savannah Marshall on July 1 in England. It should be explosive. Both are very strong.
8.Mikaela Mayer (18-1) USA – Now performing at lightweight, Mayer actually looks stronger and healthier than ever. She could eventually move up numerous weight classes if desired. She lacks a powerful left hook. That’s one weapon most women do not have in boxing.
9.Jessica McCaskill (12-3) USA – Despite losing to Chantelle Cameron, the Chicago based McCaskill still possesses enough to keep her titles for awhile. During her loss McCaskill showed her ability to change tactics and style. She is not a one-dimensional fighter and that’s good for any boxer.
10.Savannah Marshall (12-1) UK – The tall British bomber was defeated by Claressa Shields, but showed grit and fighting skills in the loss. Marshall will be facing Franchon Crews-Dezurn in July. Don’t miss that fight. Both are come-forward fighters.
11.Dina Thorslund (19-0) Den – The blonde Danish bantamweight is smack in the middle of a very competitive weight class. She’s faced and beaten some pretty good fighters but all took place in Denmark. Can she fight and win outside of her country? We will see.
12.Kenia Enriquez (25-1) Mex – Just how good is Kenia Enriquez? When light flyweight champions all avoided her, she jumped up to flyweight. Now the flyweight champions are avoiding her too. Based in Tijuana, the lithe fighter with knockout power continues to wait her turn. Meanwhile there are champions who will not face Enriquez.
Honorable Mention
Ebanie Bridges, Marlen Esparza, Natasha Jonas, Tsunami Tenkai, Terri Harper, Jessica Nery Plata, Mizuki Hiruta, Daniela Bermudez, Yokasta Valle, Yulihan Luna Avila, Delfine Persoon, Kim Clavel. Layla McCarter
Mexico’s Mariana
One of Mexico’s greatest fighters Mariana “Barbie” Juarez will be performing this weekend in Southern California.
Juarez (55-12-4, 19 Kos) faces Mayeli Flores (9-1-1) in a 10-round match on Saturday June 10, at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. DAZN will stream the Golden Boy Promotions card.
It’s not an easy fight for Juarez, 43, who is a former world champion but has lost three of her last four fights.
Flores is a very short spitfire who gave current bantamweight champion Yulihan Luna Avila all she could handle. She has a knockout win over former super flyweight champion Zulina Munoz.
Juarez has the reach advantage but will that be enough.
More Fight News
Argentina
On Friday June 9, flyweights Sol Cudos (5-0-1) and Olga Julio (37-18-2) meet 10 rounds at Buenos Aires.
On Saturday June 10, super bantamweights Mayerlin Rivas (17-4-2) and Nazarena Romero (13-0) meet 10 rounds for the WBA world title at Buenos Aires.
Austria
On Saturday June 10, lightweights Nicole Wesner (18-0) and Edina Kiss (15-17) meet eight rounds in Vienna.
France
Super bantamweights Anna Micard (0-0-1) and Karina Gorbunenko (0-0-1) fought to a majority draw after four rounds on Saturday June 3. The bout took place at Argentan.
Germany
Mei Li Folk (1-0) knocked out Nana Dokadze (3-18) in the first round on Saturday June 3. The lightweight contest was held at Eberbach.
Eda Essaoudi (5-0-1) beat Nadine Wacker (0-2) by decision after six rounds on Friday June 2. The featherweight fight was held at Beckum. Also, lightweight Seyda Sallabas (1-0) knocked out Burcu Oers (0-1) in the first round.
Italy
On Saturday June 10, lightweights Pamela Noutcho (4-0) and Ksenija Medic (3-26-2) meet six rounds at Maclodio.
Japan
Makoto Kikuchi (3-1) defeated Akane Fujiwara (5-3-1) by split decision after eight rounds on Sunday June 4. The super bantamweight fight was held at Tachikawa.
Nanae Yamaka (5-1) won by unanimous decision after six rounds against Suphattra Aunruean (4-1) on Wednesday May 31. The super flyweight fight took place at Tokyo.
On Saturday June 10, light flyweights Yumemi Ikemoto (7-2) and Shione Ogata (12-8-1) meet four rounds at Osaka.
On Sunday June 11, atomweights Reika Kawaguchi (3-1-2) and Phunnakran Karnjanawong (3-0-1) meet eight rounds at Kyoto.
Mexico
Kenia Enriquez (26-1) defeated Araceli Palacios (11-15) by unanimous decision after eight rounds on Saturday June 3. The flyweight match took place at Los Mochis.
Karla Sanchez (3-1-2) defeated Juliett Davila (2-5) by unanimous decision after six rounds on Friday June 2. The minimumweight fight was held at Nuevo Leon.
On Friday June 9, bantamweights Estefania Reyes (1-4-1) and Karen Rubio (5-1) meet eight rounds at Morelos.
Poland
Angelika Krysztoforska (7-0) won by decision after six rounds against Jasmina Nad (11-27-5) on Friday June 2. The bantamweight fight took place at Zukowo.
South Korea
Jung Eun Kim (2-0) knocked out Ji Hyun Shin (0-1) in the second round on Saturday June 3. The light flyweight match was held at Daejeon.
Spain
Keylin Maradiaga (4-0) defeated Gordana Marjanovic (0-6) by decision after six rounds on Saturday June 3. The light flyweight bout took place at Madrid.
Fara El Bousairi (7-3) won by majority decision after eight rounds on Saturday June 3. The flyweight match was held at Oviedo.
Uganda
On Saturday June 10, featherweights Grace Nabasumba (1-0-1) and Rachael Musubika (0-3) meet six rounds at Kampala.
United Kingdom
Sarah Worsfold (1-0) won by decision after six rounds versus Halanna Dos Santos (14-11) on Saturday June 3. The welterweight fight took place at London.
Vaida Masiokaite (5-19-5) beat Jessica Barry (2-1) by decision after six rounds on Friday June 2. The super featherweight fight was held at Northhampton.
On Thursday June 8, super bantamweights Cassidy Todd (2-0) and Catherine Tacone (2-2) meet six rounds at Glasgow, Scotland.
On Saturday June 10, super bantamweights Cherneka Johnson (15-1) and Elie Scotney (6-0) meet 10 rounds at Wembley for the IBF world title. Also, bantamweights Nina Hughes (5-0) and Katie Healy (6-0) meet 10 rounds for the WBA world title; and super flyweights Shannon Ryan (4-0) and Martina Bernile (5-1-1) meet eight rounds.
USA
Claressa Shields (14-0) defeated Maricela Cornejo (16-6) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday June 3. The undisputed middleweight championship fight was held in Detroit, Michigan. Also, featherweight Sarah Liegmann (8-0) won by majority decision after eight rounds versus Carisse Brown (7-5).
Adelaida Ruiz (14-0-1) knocked out Maria Roman (17-8-1) in the eighth round on Friday June 2. The super flyweight bout took place at Temecula, California.
On Saturday June 10, super bantamweights Mariana Juarez (55-12-4) and Mayeli Flores (9-1-1) meet 10 rounds at Ontario, California.
On Saturday June 10, super welterweights Elia Carranza (3-1) and Simone Aparecida (17-25) meet six rounds at Miami, Florida.
On Saturday June 10, Arika Skoog (1-0-1) and Sarah Click (1-4-1) meet six rounds at Bridgewater, Mass.