Best Female Fighter of 2025 is Mizuki Hiruta of Japan and More News
By David A. Avila
The best fighter or most impressive fighter in 2025 was Japan’s Mizuki “Mimi” Hiruta the pink-haired smiling female warrior who dominated her opposition in four fights.
Yes, you read that correctly, Hiruta fought four times in 2025 and won them all on American shores. That’s an impressive feat especially when fighting on a foreign country.
Hiruta is the Fighter of the Year.
Another impressive fighter as always is the great Amanda Serrano.
Serrano has spearheaded the women’s boxing movement for decades since her pro debut in 2009.
This past weekend Serrano met young Reina Tellez of San Antonio, Texas and the two female prizefighters showcased just how far women’s boxing continues to progress. And they did it in 10 three-minute rounds on Saturday in Puerto Rico.
Now 37, Serrano along with Most Valuable Promotions continue to create a tidal wave of female championship fights thanks to Jake Paul’s ability to draw interest to his fights both live and on streaming networks like Netflix and DAZN. With those networks come big budgets that can pay the women more money than ever before.
Serrano’s willingness to spread the wealth has contributed to the overall well-being of women’s prizefighting. Three other female bouts took place in Puerto Rico including the WBA lightweight title match between champion Stephanie Han and Holly Holm.
Several weeks earlier Alycia Baumgardner defended her super featherweight titles in 12 three-minute rounds against Canada’s Leila Beaudoin. Three other female bouts took place to support the main event Jake Paul versus Anthony Joshua. Millions worldwide watched the event on Netflix. That is why MVP has been able to pay women more than ever before.
Women’s boxing continues to spread in popularity thanks to the visibility provided by promoters like MVP.
In a few weeks Claressa Shields who recently signed a promotional agreement with Salita Promotions and Wynn Records will be meeting Franchon Crews-Dezurn in a rematch that takes place on Feb. 22 at Detroit, Michigan.
Their first encounter was the pro debut for both fighters and took place in Las Vegas, Nevada back in November 2016. It was an explosive performance by both fighters and forewarned the world of their championship caliber talent. Both are world champions with Shields accomplishing championships in five weight divisions.
Shields also has supported other female fighters and her bout will be accompanied by at least one other female bout in February.
In the West Coast there are three major promoters that continue to sponsor female boxing. Golden Boy Promotions has Gabriela Fundora the undisputed flyweight champion while 360 Boxing Promotions has Mizuki Hiruta the WBO super flyweight champion along with two other top female prospects. Then there is Top Rank that has Mikaela Mayer the welterweight titlist and prospect Perla Bazaldua.
This past year saw some remarkable events and achievements. Here are a number of the best moments and accomplishments in women’s prizefighting.
Best Fighter in 2025
Japan’s Mizuki Hiruta, also known as ‘Mimi,” stood out as one female world champion who entered the prize ring four times in 2025. All of her contests were world title matches that took place in Southern California.
That’s a very difficult task fighting in another country.
The pink haired Hiruta signed with 360 Boxing Promotions and is trained by famed boxing guru Manny Robles. But she still lives in Tokyo and flies to the U.S. a few weeks before each fight to prepare with Robles in Los Angeles.
This past year Hiruta conquered Maribel Ramirez, Carla Merino, Naomy Cardenas and Gloria Gallardo in bouts that took place in January and culminated in victory this last November.
Ironically, her fellow Japanese Naoya Inoue accomplished the same feat of four world title defenses in one year. For the similar achievement Hiruta is recognized as the best female fighter in 2025.
Runners up: Mikaela Mayer two fights Mary Spencer in October and Sandy Ryan in March. Claressa Shields wins over Lani Daniels and Danielle Perkins in 2025.
Best Fight in 2025
Elif Nur Turhan vs Beatriz Ferreira Dec. 6 in Monaco appeared to be just another set up for the Brazilian fighter Ferreira who was defending the IBF lightweight title. On that night on December 6, Turkey’s Turhan let the world know her undefeated record was not built on soft touches. She knocked down Ferreira who had belittled Turhan’s prior victories and immediately paid for it when she was floored in the first round.
Nur Turhan attacked Ferreira like the Terminator and belted the champion around with her lightning volleys until the fifth round saw her connect with the knockout blow. It was a vicious display of power and speed. Her addition to the lightweight division as a champion guarantees some spectacular showdowns in 2026 and beyond.
Best Promoter in 2025
Tom Loeffler of 360 Boxing Promotions heads the list of the best promoters of women’s boxing.
Loeffler has been promoting top female fights since the early 2000s and has never wavered. This past year he signed Japan’s Mizuki Hiruta and also two other standout female fighters in Roxy Verduzco and Lupe Medina. He also showcased several other female bouts during the year.
Throughout his promotional career Loeffler always staged top female talent such as Laila Ali, Christy Martin, Lucia Rijker, Jane Couch, and many others. He was the promoter who convinced HBO to televise female boxing when he brought over Cecilia Braekhus from Norway and also let the world see Claressa Shields perform. Though it was that network’s final boxing show it still allowed the world of the future of women’s boxing. And here we are now.
No other promoter actually promotes women’s boxing. Loeffler doesn’t depend on social media only as others do. He uses every media option available to put out the word. Other promoters should take heed. That’s promoting.
Runner up Most Valuable Promotions which has an army of female fighters on its roster and pays them well. But they do not promote other than using social media. Sure, they are on Instagram, TikTok and other social media outlets, but who is going to write about their fights for posterity?
Years from now the female fighters are going to look for stories about their fights of the past and won’t be able to find much. Instead, they will only be able to watch a video for 50 minutes or so instead of reading a story in 10 minutes.
Best Newcomers
Reina Tellez, Yadira Bustillo, LeAnna Cruz, Caroline Veyre and Ginny Fuchs. All of these women can fight. They will all soon be in world title fights if not already.
Best Fighter Pound for Pound
Claressa Shields continues to hold that spot.
Shields rarely loses a round and has never lost a professional match. She is entering her 10th year as a pro fighter and has won five division world titles. Only Serrano and Japan’s Naoko Fujioka have won five division world titles.
The Michigan athlete now competes in the heavyweight division and made the transition with little effort. Shields seems even more comfortable as a heavyweight than as a middleweight. She has also opened up women’s boxing for the bigger women who were overlooked for years until Shields arrived in 2024 in the division against Vanessa Lepage. She fought twice in 2025 as a heavyweight and has shown increased power.
Shields is set to meet Franchon Crews-Dezurn next month on Feb. 22, at Little Ceasar’s Arena in Detroit, Michigan. DAZN will stream the Salita Promotions fight card,
More Fight News
Costa Rica
On Saturday Jan. 10, minimumweights Naomy Valle (14-1) and Genesis Rodas (4-1) meet eight rounds at Alajuela.
Czech Republic
On Saturday Jan. 10, bantams Fabiana Bytyqi (22-3-2) and Sara Orszagi (2-12) meet six rounds at Brno.
Germany
Annabell Honert (5-0) knocked out Beate Heissenreder (0-3) in the first round on Sunday Dec. 28. The heavyweight match was held in Landau.
Nigeria
On Thursday Jan. 8, lightweights Nene Joy Ojo (3-0) and Oluwole Kikelomo (0-8) meet six rounds at Lagos. Also, welters Chiamaka Nwatruocha (3-0) and Joke Adebeshin (0-4) meet six.
Puerto Rico
Amanda Serrano (48-4-1) defeated Reina Tellez (13-1-1) by unanimous decision after 10 three-minute rounds on Saturday Jan. 3. The featherweight world title match took place in San Juan. Also, WBA lightweight titlist Stephanie Han (12-0) won by technical decision over Holly Holm (34-3-3) after seven rounds due to a cut; bantam Alexis Araiza (4-2-1) beat Ebanie Bridges (9-3) after eight; Krystal Rosado (8-1) won by decision over Tania Walters (7-4) after eight; super feather Elise Soto (10-0) knocked out Liliana Martinez (25-24) in two.
Thailand
On Saturday Jan. 10, minimumweights Katsara Jatpukdee (11-13-1) and Patcharawan Kaewmued (1-1) meet six rounds at Pathum Thani. Also, feathers Somwang Sawinchai (6-18-1) and Rawiwan Salkrajang (1-9-1) meet six.