Best Female Pound for Pound Fighters and More News July 2025
(Photo by Stephanie Trapp)
By David A. Avila
Claressa Shields proved once again why she is the best female fighter on the planet with a dominant performance over a talented and tough Lana Daniels for the heavyweight world championship.
Shields remains undisputed heavyweight champion and undisputed pound for pound best fighter in the world.
No doubt.
Whenever Shields performs I make sure I catch it on television or on my phone. I have been writing about women’s boxing since the mid-90s and have never seen a female fighter with her speed and talent.
Now at 30 years old, eventually someone younger will come along to take her place.
As a journalist I’ve been lucky enough to see Christy Martin, Laila Ali, Lucia Rijker and Layla McCarter perform inside the prize ring. I was also lucky enough to interview Shields back in 2012 just before she headed for London, England to collect her first Olympic gold medal. She was only 17 years old then. I did the story for Ring Magazine.
Since that time, Shields has proven to be electric inside and out of the boxing ring. I thought she might dive into the professional world right away but she stayed an amateur then did it again in 2016 at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Though others tried to win another gold medal only Shields was able to accomplish the feat due to her overwhelming talent. It’s the reason she continues to be undefeated and dominant in whatever weight division she competes.
That’s dominance.
Take her match against New Zealand’s Daniels. The Kiwi fighter showed foot speed and upper level head movement while trying to keep Shields off balance. It was a folly to continue that hit and move tactic because of Shield’s incredible hand speed and agility.
Daniels managed to connect many times but Shields took the blows as if they were cotton candy and retaliated with her own bullet blows. It was another example of Shields prowess as an all-around fighter.
I was glad the fight went 10 rounds so that the world could see what Shields can do. There has never been another with her overall talent and skill.
It’s the primary reason I have always put Shields as the number one female fighter pound for pound. I’ve never seen anybody better.
These past two months many of the best female fighters in the world participated in contests worldwide.
Here is the new list of top 12 female fighters in the world pound for pound.
Pound for Pound
- Claressa Shields (17-0, 3 Kos) – aside from selling out the arena in Detroit, the best female fighter in the world continued her reign with another dominating performance. This time New Zealand’s Lani Daniels brought her talent and provided an interesting test for Shields. And once again Shields showed off her various skills and strengths. She remains the best fighter pound for pound.
- Katie Taylor (25-1, 6 Kos) – for the third time Taylor fended off the attacks of Amanda Serrano in yet another close battle. Taylor proved she retains her incredible fighting skills even against the dangerous and talented Serrano. She also attracted yet another sold out crowd. Years and decades from now these two will be talked about. Taylor is one of the most important female fighters of all time.
- Amanda Serrano (47-4-1, 31 Kos) – Though Serrano lost for a third time to Katie Taylor, each contest remained incredibly close and difficult to judge. But no one can dispute that both fighters along with Claressa Shields helped advance women’s boxing to its current level. In the boxing ring, Serrano remains one of the most dangerous fighters in the world.
- Chantelle Cameron (21-1, 8 Kos) – the British fighter remains one of the most talented but least talked about fighters in women’s boxing. She recently engaged in an entertaining scrap against Jessica Camara and emerged with a solid victory. What is next for the only fighter with a win over Katie Taylor?
- Mikaela Mayer (21-2, 5 Kos) – now at welterweight the tall, blonde with world titles in two weight divisions can move up or down in weight classes. Her decisive win over talented Sandy Ryan increased her value and showed she continues to improve her fighting skills. Another talent Mayer possesses is nobody outworks her inside the boxing ring or out. She is a promoter’s dream.
- Alycia Baumgardner (16-1, 7 Kos) – maybe it was the long lay-off, but Baumgardner was lucky to defeat Jennifer Miranda by decision. She has an abundance of talent but seemed too focused on a knockout win and was nearly toppled by the aggressive Spaniard. There was a lot of posing after punching by Baumgardner who seemed to be outworked. Still, she remains one of the more talented female fighters in the world.
- Dina Thorslund (23-0, 9 Kos) – the Danish fighter was forced to pull out of a bantamweight showdown due to pregnancy. Thorslund will be out of boxing for a year but remains on this list. She is too talented to be dismissed, but when she returns will she be able to take on the new bantamweight queen Cherneka Johnson?
- Yokasta Valle (33-3, 10 Kos) – moved up in weight and recently announced she parted ways with Golden Boy Promotions. She is a big seller in Costa Rica and has world titles in multiple weight divisions. Which promotion company is signing her next. Yokasta is one of the stars in the lower weight classes.
- Franchon Crews-Dezurn (10-2, 2 Kos) – is one of the toughest competitors in boxing. No one has an easy time in the boxing ring with Crews who makes every fight do or die. She may be headed to a rematch with Claressa Shields. Her last contest against Citlali Ortiz was a fight to the finish but Crews pulled it out. She never has an easy fight. Its one of the reasons we have her on this list. She wins regardless of the competition. Crews is mentally and physically tough.
- Gabriela Fundora (16-0, 8 Kos) – her height gives her a tremendous advantage in the flyweight division and is doubtful anyone can defeat her. She could move all the way up to welterweight and win titles in each division. That may be her next step is moving up in weight classes and taking titles. She is fast, tall and powerful.
- Ellie Scotney (11-0) – Scotney defeated Mexico’s Yamileth Mercado in a riveting battle a few weeks ago and showed off her skills. Scotney gets better with each fight. Her showdown with Mexico’s Mercado was a great exhibition of changing tactics and strategy. Scotney seems to have power but no knockouts to show.
- Tiara Brown (19-0, 11 Kos) – Brown proved the style of Skye Nicolson had weaknesses. Once Brown got inside it was mostly over for Nicolson who only knows how to hit and run. Brown fought her inside and won the battle. While Nicolson has fast hands, there was no power behind the blows. Brown’s power was evident. That was the difference. Fast hands with no power is called slap fighting and it’s for amateur boxing. Power shots rule the professional world.
Alejandra Marina Oliveras R.I.P.
Argentina’s Alejandra Oliveras passed away due to a stroke at age 47, according to the U.S. Sun.
Oliveras was a former super bantamweight, featherweight and super lightweight world champion who stood only 5’1” in height but whose muscular body helped her win 33 out of 38 professional bouts from 2005 to 2017.
Oliveras fought a number of world champion stars including Mexico’s Jackie Nava and fellow Argentine Erica Farias.
Girls Fights at Soboba Casino
Brook Sibrian (7-2) and Karen Lindenmuth (7-4) headline a boxing card at Soboba Casino in San Jacinto, Calif. on Saturday Aug. 2. Also, heralded Perla Bazaldua (2-0) performs in a four-round bout against Kedra Bradley (3-8-1). Both female bouts should be very entertaining.
Doors open at 5 p.m. For more information go to https://www.soboba.com/entertainment/calendar/event-center/soboba-fight-night
More Fight News
Argentina
On Friday Aug. 1, super lights Lorena Balbuena (2-0) and Leila Robledo (2-0-1) meet 10 rounds at Buenos Aires. Also, featherweights Leonela Sanchez (2-0) and Luz Cordoba (2-2-1) meet six.
Australia
Taylah Gentzen (7-1) defeated Nadia Flalhi (8-5) by majority decision after 10 rounds on Friday July 25. The lightweight fight took place in Southport.
Congo
On Sunday Aug. 3, super welters Mwamba Assumani (2-0) and Lydia Bonwa (0-0) meet four rounds at Ouesso.
France
Emilie Sonvico (6-0) knocked out Jordan Barker (9-4-1) in the 10th and final round on Saturday July 26. The EBU welterweight title fight was held in Uzes.
Germany
Farina Roemling (6-1) defeated Rosa Acosta (0-7-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday July 26. The super welter fight was held in Grimma.
Hungary
On Saturday Aug. 2, welters Timea Belik (8-10) and Immacolata Mancusi (0-14-1) meet six rounds at Dunavarsany.
Italy
On Wednesday July 30, super feathers Sharon Prisco (2-0) and Linda Tescaroli (2-4) meet for 10 rounds at Abruzzo.
Japan
Riyuna Yoshikawa (7-2-2) defeated Kanae Maehara (4-4-2) by decision after six rounds on Sunday July 27. The Japanese minimumweight title fight was held in Kobe.
On Sunday Aug. 3, bantamweights Noa Tozawa (0-0-1) and Masako Numakara (1-5) meet four rounds at Sakai.
Kosovo
On Wednesday July 30, welterweights Michaela Kotaskova (10-0-2) and Neslihan Mollaoglu (1-0) meet eight rounds at Pec.
Mexico
On Saturday Aug. 2, featherweights Karla Hernandez (0-0) and Sandra Yajaira (1-1) meet four rounds at Nuevo Leon.
New Zealand
On Friday Aug. 1, super feathers Sara Jalonen (6-2) and Mea Motu (21-1) meet 10 rounds at Auckland. Also, light flyweights Emma Nesbitt (8-1) and Himanshi Raghav (5-1) meet six.
Nigeria
On Wednesday July 30, bantams Latifat Morohundiya (6-0) and Ifeoma Ugochukwu (0-2) meet six rounds at Lagos.
South Africa
On Friday Aug. 1, flyweights Keabatswe Mathane (0-1) and Abigail Gabonewe (0-0) meet four rounds at Johannesburg.
On Saturday Aug. 2, super bantams Tarisai Mutsau (1-0) and Gabisile Tshabatala (10-6-1) meet six rounds at Cape Town.
South Korea
On Saturday Aug. 2, featherweights Kyun Joo Bae (2-2) and Hye Jung Lee (2-1) meet six rounds at Incheon. Also, light flies Eun Young Lee (1-3) and Hye Sun Park (0-0) meet four; and super flies Myung Ji Lee (1-2) and Min Ji Choi (0-0) meet four.
Spain
On Saturday Aug. 2, super feathers Victoria Lomax (1-3) and Paula Sanchez (0-0) meet four rounds at Malaga.
Thailand
Pimlapat Rolkaew (3-0) beat Kanyakorn Suksodkiao (0-1) in four rounds on Sunday July 27. The super feather fight was held in Nakhon Pathorn.
Aliya Soomro (2-0) won by knockout over Patteera Tanapornchinpong (1-3-1) in the second round on Sunday July 27. The light flyweight fight was held in Pathum Thani.
Piyaphong Wannawong (1-1) defeated Nadthasid Thongpraserricdkh (0-1) in four rounds on Sunday July 27. The minimumweight fight was held in Pattaya.
Amonrat Mitsiriwat (3-0) knocked out Wanasanan Onuch (7-5-2) in the third round on Saturday July 26. The bantam fight was held in Bangkok. Also, light fly Lekaysha Woodbridge (1-0) knocked out Phatcharaphon Kransakun (0-9-1) in two; and bantam Phannaluk Kongsang (18-15-1) beat Kanyanat Chotsun (5-8) in six.
United Kingdom
Johanna Wonyou (12-0) defeated Mary Romero (11-9) by decision after eight rounds on Saturday July 26. The bantamweight fight was held in London, England.
Shauna Browne (6-1) won by decision over Georgia Klein (2-2) in a six round fight on Saturday July 26. The super lightweight match was held in Stoke on Trent.
Jade Pearce (2-0) beat Naila Peloso (1-14-1) in six rounds on Saturday July 26. The welterweight fight took place in Houghton le Spring.
On Saturday Aug. 2, feathers Kelsey Leonard (0-0) and Kira Carter (0-19-1) meet six rounds at Belfast.
USA
Claressa Shields (17-0) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Lani Daniels (11-3-2) on Saturday July 26. The undisputed heavyweight world championship fight was held in Detroit, Michigan. Also, super lightweight Samantha Worthington (12-0) beat Victoire Piteau (14-3) in 10; and featherweight Caroline Veyre (10-1) beat Licia Boudersa (24-4-2) in 10.
Oshae Jones (9-0) won by split decision after 10 rounds versus Elia Carranza (11-2) on Friday July 25. The IBF and IBO super welterweight title fight took place in Atlanta, Georgia.
On Saturday Aug. 2, super lights Stephanie Simon (3-0) and Marisa Portillo (21-21-3) meet six rounds at Long Beach, Calif.
On Saturday Aug. 2, minimumweights Brook Sibrian (7-2) and Katherine Lindenmuth (7-4) meet eight rounds at Soboba Casino in San Jacinto, Calif. Also, super flies Perla Bazaldua (2-0) and Kedra Bradley (3-8-1) meet four.
Venezuela
On Friday Aug. 1, flyweights Yohandri Rondon (10-0-2) and Treyer Pena (5-0) meet 10 rounds at Caracas.
On Saturday Aug. 2, bantamweights Albys Larez (4-1) and Sara Suarez (3-0-2) meet eight rounds at Caracas.