Women's boxing pound-for-pound rankings: A unanimous choice for No. 1 - ESPN

ESPN

by ESPN

February 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Claressa Shields continues to reign supreme in women’s boxing pound-for-pound rankings after a dominant unanimous decision victory over Franchon Crews-Dezurn on Feb. 22 in Detroit. Shields’ latest win solidified her position at the top of the ESPN rankings, earning every first-place vote from the ESPN panel. With an impressive record of 18-0 and three knockouts, she remains undefeated and has unified four major women’s heavyweight titles. Her ability to dominate across multiple weight classes makes her a historic figure in boxing, joining Terence Crawford as one of only two boxers in the four-belt era to achieve this feat. Shields’ latest victory came after unifying all four major women’s heavyweight titles in February 2025 and successfully defending them twice. Her journey includes winning titles in five different weight divisions and securing Olympic gold medals in both 2012 and 2016, representing the U.S. At 31 years old, Shields shows no signs of slowing down, maintaining her status as the top fighter in women’s boxing. Katie Taylor holds steady at No. 2 following her recent victory over Amanda Serrano. Although Taylor has hinted at a potential retirement after one final fight, she remains a dominant force in the sport. The rest of the top 10 rankings remain unchanged, with fighters like Amanda Serrano, Gabiela Fundora, and Mikaela Mayer rounding out the list, showcasing the depth of talent in women’s boxing. The pound-for-pound rankings highlight the growing competitive landscape of women’s boxing, with fighters like unified junior featherweight champion Ellie Scotney and undisputed bantamweight champ Cherneka Johnson gaining recognition. The sport is thriving, offering fans thrilling matchups and world-class performances that keep the action packed and the audience engaged. With Shields leading the charge and other top-tier fighters closing in, women’s boxing continues to evolve into a must-watch category in sports.

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Originally published on ESPN on 2/26/2026