The incredible rise of Natasha Jonas in professional boxing took another big step Saturday when the Liverpool fighter fought for the third time in 2022 — and picked up her third world title.
Jonas beat Marie-Eve Dicaire by unanimous decision to now claim the IBF, WBC and WBO junior middleweight belts. Her rise in the division has been one of the most compelling stories in the sport this year.
What’s next for the 38-year-old Jonas (13-2-1, 8 KO), who is now ESPN’s No. 1 junior middleweight, is multi-faceted. She could go after fellow British fighter Terri Harper for Harper’s WBA belt and the undisputed championship. It’s also possible she could try to match up against former undisputed junior middleweight champion Claressa Shields in what would be a lucrative fight for both, especially if it happened in the U.K.
The 36-year-old Dicaire (18-2, 1 KO) has lost two of her last three fights — to Shields and Jonas — by unanimous decision, but remains one of the top junior middleweights in the world at No. 3 in the ESPN ratings.
In Las Vegas, WBA strawweight titleholder Seniesa Estrada returned to the ring and easily beat Jazmin Gala Villarino (6-2-2, 1 KO) by unanimous decision. The next target for Estrada (23-0, 9 KO) might be WBC titleholder Tina Rupprecht in a unification bout in early 2023. Yokasta Valle holds the IBF and WBO belts in the division.
Define Persoon, ESPN’s No. 3 junior lightweight, fought to a no-contest against Ikram Kerwat in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Sunday. It was all Persoon’s doing, too. She blatantly hit Kerwat — who Persoon had been dominating — when she was down. It was a what-are-you-doing moment for the veteran Persoon, something inexcusable at any level of boxing, especially from a former world champion.
For that reason, we dropped Persoon to No. 4 in her division.
One other fight of note took place last weekend — the debut of junior lightweight Beatriz Ferreira in Cleveland. The the 29-year-old lightweight silver medalist in Tokyo did something different in her debut: She fought three-minute rounds, instead of the accustomed two-minute rounds for women’s boxing, long a conversation of some of the top fighters in the sport.
Ferreira (1-0) beat undefeated Taynna Cardoso (5-1, 1 KO) in a four-round bout. Ferreira’s career is going to be one to watch.
This weekend, Elina Tissen (25-2. 6 KO) fights Enerolisa de Leon (6-6-2, 2 KO) in a featherweight bout in Germany. De Leon has lost four of her last five fights. Tissen hasn’t lost since 2008. Mary McGee (27-4, 15 KO) is on a fight card in Gary, Indiana on Saturday but still doesn;t have an opponent. It’s the first time McGee has fought in over a year since losing her IBF junior welterweight title to Chantelle Cameron. McGee posted on Instagram this fight will be at welterweight.
Rankings will be updated every Tuesday. They’ll be based on recent bouts, head-to-head competition and the quality of opponent. As with almost everything, until fighters square off against one another, there is a layer of subjectivity to it. Fighters who haven’t fought in 18 months and don’t have a fight scheduled will be removed from the rankings until they fight again.
For a list of the current champions in all weight classes, click here.
175+ pounds – Super middleweight – Middleweight – Junior middleweight – Welterweight – Junior welterweight – Lightweight – Junior lightweight – Featherweight – Junior featherweight – Bantamweight – Junior bantamweight – Flyweight – Junior flyweight – Strawweight – Atomweight
175+ POUNDS
1. Hanna Gabriels 
Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 21-2-1, 12 KOs
Last: W (TKO2) Martha Patricia Lara Gaytan, April 17, 2021
Next: TBA
2. Danielle Perkins Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 3-0, 1 KO
Last: W (UD8) Monika Harrison, March 5, 2021
Next: TBA
3. Angelica Lopez Flores Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 13-1, 7 KOs
Last: L (TKO1) Shadasia Green, Jan. 15
Next: TBA
4. Seini Draughn Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 4-0-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (MD4) Monika Harrison, May 22, 2021
Next: TBA
5. Lani Daniels Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 6-2-2, 0 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Tinta Smith, June 24
Next: TBA
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT (Up to 168 pounds)
1. Franchon Crews Dezurn Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 8-1, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Elin Cederroos, April 30
Next: TBA
2. Christina Hammer Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 28-1, 13 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Luiza Davydova, May 7
Next: TBA
3. Ema Kozin Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 22-1-1, 12 KOs
Last: W (TKO7) Szilvia Szabados, June 4
Next: TBA
4. Shadasia Green 
Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 11-0, 10 KOs
Last: W (TKO5) Ogleidis Suarez, Oct. 29
Next: TBA
5. Elin Cederroos 
Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 8-1, 4 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Franchon Crews Dezurn, April 30
Next: TBA
MIDDLEWEIGHT (Up to 160 pounds)
1. Claressa Shields Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 13-0, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Savannah Marshall, Oct. 15
Next: TBA
2. Savannah Marshall Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 12-1, 10 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Claressa Shields, Oct. 15
Next: TBA
3. Maricela Cornejo Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 15-5, 5 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Simone Aparecida da Silva, March 25
Next: TBA
4. Ema Kozin Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 22-1-1, 12 KOs
Last: W (TKO7) Szilvia Szabados, June 4
Next: Nov. 19 vs. TBA
5. Raquel Miller Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 11-0, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD6) Sonya Dreiling, Dec. 2
Next: Nov. 26 vs. TBA
JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT (Up to 154 pounds)
1. Natasha Jonas Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 13-2-1, 8 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Marie-Eve Dicaire, Nov. 12
Next: TBA
2. Terri Harper Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 13-1-1, 6 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Hannah Ranking, Sept. 24
Next: TBA
3. Marie-Eve Dicaire Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 18-2, 1 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Natasha Jonas, Nov. 12
Next: TBA
4. Patricia Berghult Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 15-1, 3 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Natasha Jonas, Sept. 3
Next: TBA
5. Hannah Rankin Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 12-6, 3 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Terri Harper, Sept. 24
Next: TBA
WELTERWEIGHT (Up to 147 pounds)
1. Jessica McCaskill Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 12-2, 5 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Chantelle Cameron, Nov. 5
Next: TBA
2. Cecilia Braekhus Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 36-2, 9 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Jessica McCaskill, March 13, 2021
Next: TBA
3. Layla McCarter Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 45-13-5, 11 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Halanna dos Santos, March 25
Next: TBA
4. Ewa Piatkowska Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 16-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD6) Judy Waguthii, May 14, 2021
Next: TBA
5. Summer Lynn Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 7-0, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD6) Jaica Pavilus, April 2
Next: TBA
JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT (Up to 140 pounds)
1. Chantelle Cameron Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 17-0, 8 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Jessica McCaskill, Nov. 5
Next: TBA
2. Jessica McCaskill Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 12-2, 5 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Chantelle Cameron, Nov. 5
Next: TBA
3. Kali Reis Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 19-7-1, 5 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Jessica Camara, Nov. 19, 2021
Next: TBA
4. Mary McGee Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 27-4, 15 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Chantelle Cameron, Oct. 30, 2021
Next: Nov. 19 vs. TBA
5. Jessica Camara Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 10-3, 2 KOs
Last: W (KO1) Josefina Vega, Sept. 17
Next: TBA
— Anahi Ester Sanchez has been removed for inactivity.
LIGHTWEIGHT (Up to 135 pounds)
1. Katie Taylor Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 22-0, 6 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Karen Elizabeth Carabajal, Oct. 29
Next: TBA
2. Amanda Serrano Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 43-2-1, 30 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Sarah Mahfoud, Sept. 24
Next: TBA
3. Estelle Yoka Mossely Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 10-0, 1 KO
Last: W (SD10) Yanina del Carmen Lescano, March 18
Next: TBA
4. Delfine Persoon Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 47-3-1NC, 19 KOs
Last: NC (No contest) Ikram Kerwat, Nov. 13
Next: TBA
5. Jennifer Han Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 18-5-1, 1 KO
Last: L (UD10) Mikaela Mayer, April 9
Next: TBA
JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT (Up to 130 pounds)
1. Alycia Baumgardner Previous ranking: 2
Record: 13-1, 7 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Mikaela Mayer, Oct. 15
Next: TBA
2. Mikaela Mayer Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 17-1, 5 KOs
Last: L (SD10) Alycia Baumgardner, Oct. 15
Next: TBA
3. Maiva Hamadouche Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 22-2, 18 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Mikaela Mayer, Nov. 5, 2021
Next: TBA
4. Delfine Persoon Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 47-3-1NC, 19 KOs
Last: NC (No contest) Ikram Kerwat, Nov. 13
Next: TBA
5. Hyun Mi Choi Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 20-0-1, 5 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Vanessa Bradford, Oct. 19
Next: TBA
FEATHERWEIGHT (Up to 126 pounds)
1. Amanda Serrano Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 43-2-1, 30 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Sarah Mahfoud, Sept. 24
Next: TBA
2. Erika Cruz Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 15-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Jelena Mrdjenovich, Sept. 3
Next: TBA
3. Yamileth Mercado Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 20-3, 5 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Mariana Juarez, Oct 29
Next: TBA
4. Sarah Mahfoud Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 11-1, 3 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Amanda Serrano, Sept. 24
Next: TBA
5. Brenda Karen Carabajal Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 18-5-1, 9 KOs
Last: W (MD10) Debora Anahi Dionicius, May 13
Next: TBA
JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHT (Up to 122 pounds)
1. Yamileth Mercado Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 20-3, 5 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Mariana Juarez, Oct 29
Next: TBA
2. Segolene Lefebvre Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 16-0, 1 KO
Last: W (UD10) Melania Sorroche, May 7
Next: TBA
3. Mayerlin Rivas Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 17-4-2, 11 KOs
Last: W (TKO3) Karina Fernandez, June 10
Next: TBA
4. Cherneka Johnson Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 15-1, 6 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Susie Ramadan, Oct. 15
Next: TBA
5. Ellie Scotney Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 6-0, 0 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Mary Romero, Oct. 29
Next: TBA
Dina Thorslund, Daniela Bermudez and Yazmin Rivas have been removed due to inactivity in the division.
BANTAMWEIGHT (Up to 118 pounds)
1. Dina Thorslund Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 18-0, 7 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Niorkis Carreno, April 9
Next: TBA
2. Yuliahn Luna Avila Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 24-3-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Jessica Gonzalez, June 17
Next: TBA
3. Jamie Mitchell Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 8-0-2, 5 KOs
Last: W (KO4) Carly Skelly, Feb. 5
Next: TBA
4. Shannon O’Connell Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 23-6-1, 11 KOs
Last: W (TKO1) Sarah Higginson, June 29
Next: Dec. 10 vs. Ebanie Bridges
5. Ebanie Bridges Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 8-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Maria Cecilia Roman, March 26
Next: Dec. 10 vs. Shannon O’Connell
JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHT (Up to 115 pounds)
1. Diana Laura Fernandez Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 26-4-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Gabriela Bouvier, Aug. 27
Next: TBA
2. Micaela Lujan Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 11-1-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (MD10) Irma Garcia, Aug. 20
Next: TBA
3. Asley Gonzalez Macias Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 15-2, 7 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Lourdes Juarez, Oct. 1
Next: TBA
4. Lourdes Juarez Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 34-3, 4 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Asley Gonzalez Macias, Oct. 1
Next: TBA
5. Clara Lescurat Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 8-0, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Naylea Gil Sanabia, Oct. 28
Next: TBA
Guadalupe Martinez Guzman has been removed for inactivity.
FLYWEIGHT (Up to 112 pounds)
1. Marlen Esparza Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 13-1, 1 KO
Last: W (UD10) Eva Guzman, Aug. 6
Next: TBA
2. Arely Mucino Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 32-3-2, 11 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Leonela Paola Yudica, Oct. 29
Next: TBA
3. Ibeth Zamora Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 32-7, 12 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Marlen Esparza, June 19, 2021
Next: TBA
4. Gabriela Celeste Alaniz Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 14-0, 6 KOs
Last: W (TKO9) Debora Rengifo, Sept. 24
Next: TBA
5. Naoko Fujioka Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 19-3-1, 7 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Marlen Esparza, April 9
Next: TBA
JUNIOR FLYWEIGHT (Up to 108 pounds)
1. Seniesa Estrada Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 23-0, 9 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Jazmin Gala Villarino, Nov. 12
Next: TBA
2. Kim Clavel Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 16-0, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Yesenia Gomez, July 29
Next: Dec. 1 vs. Jessica Nery Plata
3. Evelin Bermudez Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 17-0-1, 6 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Yairineth Altuve, July 23
Next: Nov, 26 vs. Yokasta Valle
4. Jessica Nery Plata Previous ranking: NR
Record: 28-2, 3 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Yesica Yolanda Bopp, March 11
Next: Dec. 1 vs. Kim Clavel
5. Yesica Bopp Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 37-3, 17 KOs
Last: L (SD10) Jessica Nery Plata, march 11
Next: TBA
STRAWWEIGHT (Up to 105 pounds)
1. Seniesa Estrada Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 23-0, 9 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Jazmin Gala Villarino, Nov. 12
Next: TBA
2. Yokasta Valle Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 26-2, 9 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen, Sept. 8
Next: Nov. 26 vs. Evelin Nazarena Bermudez
3. Tina Rupprecht Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 11-0-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Katia Gutierrez, July 24
Next: TBA
4. Anabel Ortiz Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 33-5, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Maria Micheo Santizo, Oct, 20
Next: TBA
5. Sarah Bormann Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 15-0, 7 KO
Last: W (UD10) Elizabeth Lopez Corzo, Sept. 24
Next: TBA
ATOMWEIGHT (Up to 102 pounds)
1. Monserrat Alarcon Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 18-4-2, 0 KO
Last: W (UD10) Brenda Balderas Martiinez, Sept. 30
Next: TBA
2. Mika Iwakawa Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 11-6-1, 3 KO
Last: W (UD10) Ayaka Miyao, Sept. 1
Next: TBA
3. Fabiana Bytyqi Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 19-0-2, 5 KO
Last: D (SD10) Elizabeth Lopez Corzo, Jul. 29
Next: TBA
4. Eri Matsuda Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 5-1-1, 1 KO
Last: W (UD10) Kaori Nagai, Sept. 1
Next: TBA
5. Ayaka Miyao Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 25-10-2, 6 KO
Last: L (UD10) Mika Iwakawa, Sept. 1
Next: TBA