Claressa Shields Holds Top Spot as ESPN Releases Updated Women’s Pound-For-Pound Rankings

In the latest ESPN women’s pound-for-pound poll, undisputed heavyweight champion Claressa Shields kept her No. 1 ranking after a sixth-round technical knockout of Kaye Scott in Atlanta, reclaiming the WBC and WBA middleweight titles. Dina Thorslund, fresh from an undisputed bantamweight championship win, entered the list at No. 10.

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ESPN’s P4P rankings are compiled from a points-based expert poll, with first-place votes worth ten points, second place nine, and so on. The current poll reflects results through mid-August and incorporates recent title fights across multiple divisions.

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• Claressa Shields – Undisputed heavyweight champion; also WBC and WBA middleweight champion.

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• Dina Thorslund – Undisputed bantamweight champion; returned after a pregnancy-related hiatus.

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• Katie Taylor – Former undisputed lightweight and junior welterweight champion, ranked No. 2.

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• Gabriela Fundora – Undisputed flyweight champion, 18-0.

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• Amanda Serrano – Seven-division world-title holder, ranked No. 4.

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• Mikaela Mayer – Welterweight and unified junior middleweight champion, ranked No. 6.

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• Lauren Price – Unified welterweight champion, ranked No. 7.

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• Alycia Baumgardner – Unified junior lightweight champion, ranked No. 8.

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• Ellie Scotney – Featherweight champion, ranked No. 9.

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• Early August – Thorslund defeats Cherneka Johnson to become undisputed bantamweight champion.

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• Mid-August – Shields defeats Kaye Scott by TKO, regaining middleweight titles and securing the No. 1 spot.

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• July 11, 2025 (scheduled) – Amanda Serrano’s upcoming fight.

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• March 14 (scheduled) – Gabriela Fundora’s next opponent pending.

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• May 30 (scheduled) – Featherweight champion’s next bout.

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• April 4 (scheduled) – Lauren Price’s next fight pending.

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• April 5 (scheduled) – Junior middleweight champion’s next bout.

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• April 17 (scheduled) – Alycia Baumgardner’s upcoming fight.

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• Shields – Record 19-0 with four knockouts; latest win a sixth-round TKO.

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• Thorslund – Record 25-0 with nine knockouts; won the bantamweight bout by unanimous decision.

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• Voting Breakdown (selected): Nick Parkinson placed Shields first, Taylor second, Fundora third, Serrano fourth, Cameron fifth, Mayer sixth, Price seventh, Baumgardner eighth, Thorslund ninth, Scotney tenth. Other ballots show similar distribution.

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After her victory, Shields said she would like to face WBC, IBF and WBA welterweight champion Lauren Price later this year, and also expressed interest in bouts with junior middleweight champion Mikaela Mayer or unified middleweight champion Tamm Thibeault. Thorslund’s return narrative notes she paused her career due to pregnancy and a miscarriage before resuming competition and reclaiming bantamweight dominance.

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The updated rankings highlight a deepening talent pool in women’s boxing, with multiple undisputed champions across weight classes. Shields’ ability to move between heavyweight and middleweight while staying atop the list underscores her versatility and marketability. Thorslund’s ascent after personal adversity illustrates the sport’s growing inclusivity and the potential for cross-division matchups.

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• Shields is expected to defend her 160-lb titles against a yet-to-be-named challenger, with Price, Mayer or Thibeault among possible opponents.

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• Taylor will headline a farewell bout later this year, after which former opponent Camille Cameron may pursue a unification bout with Mayer.

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• Fundora, Price, Baumgardner and other top-ranked fighters have upcoming dates, indicating a busy schedule of title defenses and possible unifications in the coming months.

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