Claressa Shields Is the Pound for Pound Best and More News
By David A. Avila
For the next three months most of the top female fighters in the world will be heading to the prize ring to demonstrate their prowess.
Claressa Shields returns as a heavyweight and has a date with New Zealand’s Lani Daniels on July 26. It’s one of many fights scheduled in the next three months that will captivate the interest of boxing fans everywhere.
Shields, 30, has dominated every division she has participated in and has rarely ever lost more than three rounds in any 10-round fight. That is domination.
Now, the multi-division world champion has developed knockout power. It’s not a fluke, Shields has power and uses leverage correctly to unload wall breakers on the opposition.
Watch out.
Shields heads our list once more as the best female fighter Pound for Pound.
Here is an update of our Pound for Pound list of the top 12 female fighters in the world. There have been some changes to the list since November 2024:
Pound for Pound Best May 2025
- Claressa Shields (16-0, 3 Kos) – in her second venture with heavyweights, the two-time Olympian administered a dominant performance over Danielle Perkins that showed her skill level and new-found power. Shields looked every bit the Pound for Pound queen of women’s boxing. She continues to add layers to her fight arsenal and that’s a dangerous thing for the rest of the female boxing world. Shields is slated to meet New Zealand’s Lani Daniels in a heavyweight world title fight on July 26, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
- Amanda Serrano (47-3-1, 31 Kos) – the Puerto Rican queen continues to change the game. She has taken the lead in signing female fighters to her promotional company including several fighters on this list. Serrano will be headed toward a third showdown with Katie Taylor in July and the show will include others on this list such as Alycia Baumgardner, Dina Thorslund and Ellie Scotney. Serrano is more than a just great fighter she is a crusader for women’s boxing.
- Katie Taylor (24-1, 6 Kos) – the incredible fighter from Ireland will fight Amanda Serrano a third time this July. And once again they will meet at Madison Square Garden where the revolution of women’s boxing began to sprout serious wings. Katie Taylor could have taken her skills back to Ireland but agreed to fight Amanda Serrano a third time. Once again, the two female warriors will duke it out at the Garden and the world will be watching. If their fight is anything close to their first two encounters, then the boxing world is in for another treat.
- Chantelle Cameron (20-1, 8 Kos) – whatever Cameron decides to do she will be remembered as the first to defeat Katie Taylor. And she beat her in Ireland. That’s a tremendous accomplishment. The British fighter from Northampton, England has all the tools but time is racing by. She needs another big-name opponent to establish herself as a super star. She has the talent, now just needs more recognition. And that means facing another foe ranked among the best. It could happen soon.
- Alycia Baumgardner (15-1, 7 Kos) – the undisputed super featherweight champion has all the talent. She recently signed with Most Valuable Promotions and is set to face Spain’s Jennifer Miranda at Madison Square Garden in New York on July 11. Both are undefeated. She is poised to make big noise now that she is aligned with a big promotion company. Expect Baumgardner to move up in weight to face some of the biggest names in boxing. She has never shied away from the action.
- Mikaela Mayer (21-2, 5 Kos) – defeated Sandy Ryan again, this time in Las Vegas this past March. Just when you think Mayer has peaked, she turns it up another notch to prove that the welterweight division is perfect for her. The Olympian continues to improve and now has become adept at fighting in the pocket or outside the firing zone. She is a multi-talented fighter and has a growing fan base.
- Dina Thorslund (23-0, 9 Kos) – the bantamweight world titlist from Denmark recently signed with Most Valuable Promotions. Now American fans get an opportunity to see why the Danish fighter is one of the most feared fighters below featherweight. She can crack and has superb speed. She is scheduled to face American’s Shurretta Metcalf who holds the IBF bantamweight world title on July 11, at Madison Square Garden. Watch out. It should be a banger.
- Yokasta Valle (33-3, 10 Kos) – moved up in weight to face former flyweight champion Marlen Esparza and emerged victorious by split decision after 10 rounds. It was a severe test for Valle but maybe too high a weight class. Valle is the class of the minimumweight division and light flyweights. At 32, she can still compete with the best in those two divisions. Does she dare try the 112-pound flyweight division where Gabriela Fundora reigns supreme?
- Franchon Crews-Dezurn (9-2, 2 Kos) – the WBC super middleweight world titlist keeps proving herself against all comers. But it’s been more than a year since her last fight against Shadasia Green on December 2023. She recently signed with Salita Promotions and will be defending against Citlalli Ortiz on June 6, in Verona, New York. Crews still remains a powerful fighter at 168 and cannot be underestimated.
- Gabriela Fundora (16-0, 8 Kos) – may be unbeatable in the flyweight division. She may be unbeatable in the super flyweight division if she moves up. Fundora recently blasted out Mexico’s Marilyn Badillo in the seventh round. Though the tiny Mexican fighter fought valiantly, once she attempted to mix it up that spelled her doom. Fundora eliminated her like a broom sweeps out dust. Fundora has all the tools to remain dominant.
- Ellie Scotney (10-0) – the unified super bantamweight world titlist is a well-rounded fighter. But she has never fought outside of England. She recently signed with Most Valuable Promotions and is set to unify once more against Mexico’s Yamileth Mercado that WBC titlist. This should be a very good test for both fighters. It will also be Scotney’s first introduction to American audiences when she fights Mercado on July 11, at Madison Square Garden.
- Tiara Brown (19-0, 11 Kos) – the Florida-based fighter finally got her opportunity to face Skye Nicolson and proved superior. It was Brown’s abilities to fight inside that proved the difference. Now she holds the WBC featherweight title and has different options to take. Will she face Nicolson again or hope to meet Amanda Serrano in a unification match? She does have some options.
Honorable Mention
Mizuki Hiruta, Skye Nicolson, Delfine Persoon, Natasha Jonas, Tsunami Tenkai, Jessica Nery Plata, Daniela Bermudez, Gabriela Alaniz, Kim Clavel, Layla McCarter, and Clara Lescurat, Kenia Enriquez, Sandy Ryan and Caroline Dubois.
Los Angeles
Next week, Japan’s Mizuki Hiruta (7-0, 2 Kos) defends the WBO super flyweight title against Argentina’s Carla Merino (16-2, 4 Kos) on Saturday May 17, at Commerce Casino, in Commerce Calif. which borders East Los Angeles.
Hiruta recently signed a promotional contract with Tom Loeffler’s 360 Boxing Promotions.
Also, on the same card will be undefeated minimumweight Lupe Medina (9-0, 2 Kos) facing former world title challenger Maria Santizo (12-5, 6 Kos) of Guatemala. It’s a big test for Medina.
More Fight News
Argentina
Anahi Sanchez (26-6) defeated Aldana Pons (4-3-1) by split decision after 10 rounds on Saturday May 3. The South American super lightweight title fight took place in Buenos Aires. Also, super fly Sofia Robles (2-0) beat Victoria Benavidez (1-7) and fly Daiana Ortiz (5-3-2) beat Sandra Villaruel (1-7-2) in four.
Australia
Alana Moussa (2-0) beat Shannon Rose (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday May 3. The middleweight fight took place in Kensington.
China
On Saturday May 10, bantams Ellie Bouttell (4-0-1) and Prakayrat Wongsuta (4-0-1) meet eight rounds in Shanghai. Also, super bantams Feixue Meng (0-2) and Fang Zhu (0-0) meet four.
Colombia
Kelly Roldan (3-0) defeated Fernanda Lopez (0-3) by decision after six rounds on Saturday May 3. The featherweight fight took place in Medellin.
On Sunday May 11, super welters Carmen Gulliksen (2-0) and Daylin Mata (0-4) meet six rounds at Cali.
Dominican Republic
On Saturday May 10, super bantams Lorena Luna (1-0) and Mitzi Olivero (0-3) meet eight rounds at Mao.
France
Erika Amans (1-0) won by majority decision after six rounds on Saturday May 3. The lightweight match took place in Cherbourg.
Camille Pegol (1-0) beat Nino Revia (1-1-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday May 3. The lightweight fight took place in Paris.
Tania Walters (7-3) knocked out Delphine Mancini (6-2) in the sixth round on Friday May 2. The IBO bantamweight title fight took place in Vigneux sur Seine.
Clothilde Del Ben (9-4) beat Ayisat Oriyomi (10-2) by decision after six rounds on Wednesday April 30. The super flyweight fight took place at Paris. Also, Jeyssa Marcel (14-0) beat Debora Rengifo (19-15-1); super light Mariam Sidibe (2-0-1) beat Ingrid Brodu (1-1).
Germany
Phannarai Netisri (17-0) defeated Isis Vargas (10-7) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Thursday May 1. The regional super bantam title fight took place in St. Pauli.
Italy
Arianna Tonello (4-0) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds against Linda Tescaroli (2-4) on Wednesday April 30. The Italian lightweight title fight took place in Padua.
On Saturday May 10, bantams Gloria Peritore (5-0-1) and Natalia Francesca (7-4) meet 10 rounds for the EBU title at Carbonia.
Japan
Mont Blanc Miki (7-8-1) beat Megumi Watanabe (3-1-6) by decision after six rounds on Wednesday April 30. The atomweight fight took place in Tokyo. Also, super bantam Anera Osawa (2-0-1) knocked out Pannaporn Kaewpawong (5-5) in two, bantam Ying Wang (1-1) beat Yuki Katayama (0-1); minimumweight Ayumi Katayanagi (1-0-1) knocked out Natsume Kikuchi (1-1-1) in one; atomweight Wakashi Yoshida (1-1) beat Cure Takana (0-1) in four.
On Tuesday May 6, atomweights Ayumi Shuzui (3-0) and Riho Yoshida (5-2-1) meet six rounds at Kobe. Also, minimumweights Kullathida Kueasanor (8-4) and Shiori Yotsumoto (0-0) meet six.
Mexico
Minimumweights Brenda Salazar (4-1-2) and Beatriz Melo (2-3-1) meet six rounds at Nuevo Leon.
New Zealand
Jadene Treadway (1-0-1) beat Tania Barnett (0-4) by decision after five rounds on Saturday May 3. The super lightweight fight took place in Te Awamutu. Also, welter Saskia Eliott (1-0) beat Toni Moki (0-6); and light heavy Tinta Smith (2-3-1) beat Stacy Loye (0-1) in four.
Emma Nesbitt (7-1) knocked out Natthanan Sangiamchit (6-3) in the seventh round on Friday May 2. The light fly title fight took place in Auckland.
South Korea
Kyung Joo Bae (2-2) won by unanimous decision after four rounds versus Won Kyung Suh (0-2) On Saturday May 3. The super featherweight fight took place in Incheon.
Thailand
Banthita Pumkrathok (3-0) knocked out Panida Chatluang (9-11) in the fifth round on Sunday May 4. The minimumweight fight took place in Bangkok. Also, light fly Pragnwilai Wangbun (3-0) beat Siramon Sittisomboon (0-1) in four.
Aliya Soomro (1-0) knocked out Suthida Ganyanooch (0-2) in the first round on Saturday May 3. The minimumweight fight took place in Bangkok.
United Kingdom
On Saturday May 10, super bantams Jessica Woolfenden (0-0) and Kira Carter (0-15-1) meet four rounds at Farnworth.
On Saturday May 10, super flyweights Charlotte Powell (6-2-1) and Sylwia Doligala (5-2-2) meet 10 rounds for the British title at Lancashire.
On Saturday May 10, super lights Charan Dhesi (0-0) and Amy Greatorex (1-11) meet four rounds at Hull.
USA
Yoryina Myers (4-0) knocked out Zhane Pendelton (0-1) in the second round on Saturday May 3. The super featherweight fight took place in Lincoln, Nebraska.
On Friday May 9, super feathers Elise Soto (7-0) and Colleen Davis (4-2-1) meet six rounds at Orlando Florida.
On Friday May 9, lightweights Catharine Aiura (5-0) and Peggy Whitmore (5-0) meet eight rounds in New York City.
On Saturday May 10, super flyweights Perla Bazaldua (1-0) and Mona Ward (0-1) meet four rounds at San Diego, California.
On Saturday May 10, super flyweights Lia Lewandoski (1-0) and Ayeshia Green (0-3) meet four rounds at Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Uzbekistan
On Saturday May 10, super welters Madinabonu Salok (2-0) and Mush Jarkova (0-1) meet six rounds at Andijan.