Yokasta Valle did what she needed to do Saturday night when she took on her mandatory opponent, Maria Micheo Santizo, and handled her in a one-sided unanimous decision victory to defend her WBO and IBF strawweight titles. Now, she might have to wait.
But the wait could be worth it.
The obvious opponent for Valle (29-2, 9 KO), ESPN's No. 2 strawweight, is the other high-level fighter in her division -- ESPN's No. 1 strawweight and the WBC, WBA champion, Seniesa Estrada. Estrada is recovering from surgery on her right hand, but this is the fight to make and hopefully it becomes one of the first big fights of boxing next year.
ESPN's No. 2 featherweight, Erika Cruz (16-2, 3 KO) defeated Melissa Oddessa (6-2, 2 KO) last weekend in a junior featherweight fight. Considering how good Cruz looked in the fight -- and that she may be campaigning at junior featherweight now -- ESPN is ranking Cruz at No. 5 in the division in place of Mayerlin Rivas.
At featherweight on the same card, Skye Nicolson won a unanimous decision over Sabrina Perez (18-2-1, 2 KO) to become the WBC's interim featherweight champion. It's not clear why the WBC needs an interim since Amanda Serrano has been continuously active. A good next fight for Nicolson (8-0) would be against Serrano, providing Serrano wins her fight against Danila Ramos in October.
This upcoming weekend brings a few interesting fights, including a title unification in the welterweight division. Jessica McCaskill, ESPN's No. 1 welterweight and the current WBA, WBC champion, takes on WBO champion Sandy Ryan in Orlando on Saturday. McCaskill (12-3, 5 KO) has not lost at welterweight in her career -- last fighting in the division in June 2022 when she defended her then-undisputed title in a stoppage of Alma Ibarra. Ryan, ESPN's No. 3 welterweight, won her title by defeating Marie Pier Houle in April by unanimous decision. Now, she'll have the biggest test of her career in a massive fight in one of the deepest divisions in women's boxing.
At featherweight in Argentina, also on Saturday, ESPN's No. 5 fighter, Daniela Bermudez (31-4-3, 11 KO) takes on Lucrecia Manzur (9-3, 5 KO) in a 10-round fight
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. For women's P4P rankings, 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. Lani Daniels  
  Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 9-2-2, 1 KOs
Last: W (TKO4) Razel Mohammed, Aug. 26
Next: Dec. 2 vs. TBA
2. Alrie Meleisea  
  Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 6-2-1, 0 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Lani Daniels, May 27
Next: TBA
3. Oxandia Castillo     Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 19-3-3, 15 KOs
Last: W (UD4) Mery Caba Rancier, March 19, 2022
Next: TBA
4. Angie Paola Rocha     Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 14-4-3, 7 KOs
Last: L (TKO1)Raquel Miller, March 10
Next: TBA
5. Bolatito Oluwole     Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 6-0, 3 KO
Last: W (UD4) Abiola Olawale, March 5
Next: TBA
Editor's note: Hanna Gabriels and Danielle Perkins have been removed for inactivity.
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT (Up to 168 pounds)
1. Savannah Marshall     Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 13-1, 10 KOs
Last: W (MD10) Franchon Crews Dezurn, July 1
Next: TBA
2. Shadasia Green     Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 13-0, 11 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Olivia Curry, Aug. 5
Next: TBA
3. Franchon Crews Dezurn  
  Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 8-2, 2 KOs
Last: L (MD10) Savannah Marshall, July 1
Next: TBA
4. Christina Hammer     Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 28-1, 13 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Luiza Davydova, May 7, 2022
Next: TBA
5. Elin Cederroos     Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 8-2, 4 KOs
Last: L (TKO6) Shadasia Green, Feb. 4
Next: TBA
MIDDLEWEIGHT (Up to 160 pounds)
1. Claressa Shields     Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 14-0, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Maricela Cornejo, June 3
Next: TBA
2. Savannah Marshall     Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 13-1, 10 KOs
Last: W (MD10) Franchon Crews Dezurn, July 1
Next: TBA
3. Raquel Miller     Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 13-0, 6 KOs
Last: W (TKO1) Angie Paola Rocha, March 10
Next: TBA
4. Olivia Curry     Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 7-2, 2 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Shadasia Green, Aug. 5
Next: TBA
5. Mapule Ngubane     Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 10-8-3, 2 KOs
Last: W (TKO3) Emily Kabwalo, Nov. 13
Next: TBA
JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT (Up to 154 pounds)
1. Natasha Jonas     Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 14-2-1, 8 KOs
Last: W (TKO8) Kandi Wyatt, July 1
Next: TBA
2. Terri Harper     Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 14-1-1, 6 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Ivana Habazin, May 27
Next: Oct. 7 vs. Cecilia Braekhus
3. Marie-Eve Dicaire     Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 18-2, 1 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Natasha Jonas, Nov. 12
Next: TBA
4. Cecilia Braekhus     Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 37-2, 9 KOs
Last: W (UD6) Marisa Joana Portillo, Dec. 17
Next: Oct. 7 vs. Terri Harper
5. Patricia Berghult     Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 16-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (TKO3) Maria Elena Maderna, March 4
Next: TBA
WELTERWEIGHT (Up to 147 pounds)
1. Jessica McCaskill     Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 12-3-1, 5 KOs
Last: Draw (SD10) Sandy Ryan, Sept. 23
Next: TBA
2. Natasha Jonas     Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 14-2-1, 8 KOs
Last: W (TKO8) Kandi Wyatt, July 1
Next: TBA
3. Sandy Ryan     Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 6-1-1, 2 KOs
Last: Draw (SD10) Jessica McCaskill, Sept. 23
Next: TBA
4. Mikaela Mayer     Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 19-1, 5 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Silvia Bortot, Sept. 2
Next: TBA
5. Lauren Price     Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 5-0, 1 KO
Last: W (TD6) Lolita Muzeya, Sept. 2
Next: TBA
JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT (Up to 140 pounds)
1. Chantelle Cameron     Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 18-0, 8 KOs
Last: W (MD10) Katie Taylor, May 20
Next: Nov. 25 vs. Katie Taylor
2. Katie Taylor     Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 22-1, 6 KOs
Last: L (MD10) Chantelle Cameron, May 20
Next: Nov. 25 vs. Chantelle Cameron
3. Jessica McCaskill     Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 12-3, 5 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Chantelle Cameron, Nov. 5
Next: TBA
4. Sandy Ryan     Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 6-1, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Marie-Pier Houle, April 22
Next: TBA
5. Oshin Derieuw     Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 19-0, 7 KOs
Last: W (TKO7) Francia Elena Bravo, Feb. 4
Next: TBA
Editor's note: Kali Reis has been removed due to inactivity.
LIGHTWEIGHT (Up to 135 pounds)
1. Katie Taylor     Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 22-1, 6 KOs
Last: L (MD10) Chantelle Cameron, May 20
Next: Nov. 25 vs. Chantelle Cameron
2. Estelle Mossely     Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 11-0, 1 KO
Last: W (UD10) Anisha Basheel, Feb. 17
Next: TBA
3. Caroline Dubois     Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 7-0, 5 KO
Last: W (Points decision 8) Yanina del Carmen Lescano, June 16
Next: Sept. 30 vs. Magali Rodriguez
4. Maira Moneo     Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 13-1, 3 KO
Last: W (TKO8) Alys Sanchez, July 1
Next: TBA
5. Elhem Mekhaled     Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 16-2, 3 KO
Last: W (UD8) Yuliya Kutsenko, May 28
Next: TBA
JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT (Up to 130 pounds)
1. Delfine Persoon     Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 48-3-1 NC, 19 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Bo Mi Re Shin, May 28
Next: TBA
2. Elhem Mekhaled     Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 16-2, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Yuliia Kutsenko, May 28
Next: TBA
3. Bo Mi Re Shin     Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 15-2-3, 8 KOs
Last: L (SD10) Delfine Persoon, May 28
Next: TBA
4. Beatriz Ferreira     Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 3-0, 1 KO
Last: W (UD8) Karla Ramos Zamora, July 1
Next: TBA
5. Hyun Mi Choi     Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 20-0-1, 5 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Vanessa Bradford, Oct. 19
Next: TBA
Editor's note: Alycia Baumgardner has been removed for testing positive for a banned substance.
FEATHERWEIGHT (Up to 126 pounds)
Amanda Serrano wins comfortably by unanimous decision against Heather Hardy.
1. Amanda Serrano     Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 45-2-1, 30 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Heather Hardy, Aug. 5
Next: TBA
2. Erika Cruz     Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 16-2, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Melissa Odessa Parker, Sept. 15
Next: TBA
3. Sarah Mahfoud     Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 13-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Veronica Tosi, May 26
Next: Oct. 7 vs. Marcela Eliana Acuna
4. Raven Chapman     Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 6-0, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Linda Laura Lecca, March 25
Next: TBA
5. Daniela Romina Bermudez     Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 31-4-3, 11 KOs
Last: W (TKO5) Daniela Barbara Rivero, April 22
Next: Sept. 23 vs. Lucrecia Manzur
JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHT (Up to 122 pounds)
1. Yamileth Mercado     Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 22-3, 5 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Paulette Valenzuela, Aug. 26
Next: TBA
2. Ellie Scotney     Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 7-0, 0 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Cherneka Johnson, June 10
Next: Sept. 30 vs. Laura Soledad Griffa
3. Segolene Lefebvre     Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 17-0, 1 KO
Last: W (UD10) Debora Anahi Dionicius, April 29
Next: TBA
4. Cherneka Johnson     Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 15-2, 6 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Ellie Scotney, June 10
Next: TBA
5. Erika Cruz     Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 16-2, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Melissa Odessa Parker, Sept. 15
Next: TBA
BANTAMWEIGHT (Up to 118 pounds)
1. Dina Thorslund     Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 20-0, 8 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Yuliahn Luna Avila, Sept. 1
Next: TBA
2. Ebanie Bridges     Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 9-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (TKO8) Shannon O'Connell, Dec. 10
Next: TBA
3. Yuliahn Luna Avila     Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 25-4-1, 4 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Dina Thorslund, Sept. 1
Next: TBA
4. Nina Hughes     Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 6-0, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Katie Healy, June 10
Next: TBA
5. Diana Laura Fernandez     Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 27-4-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Nataly Delgado, Dec. 15
Next: TBA
JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHT (Up to 115 pounds)
1. Diana Laura Fernandez     Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 27-4-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Nataly Delgado, Dec. 15
Next: TBA
2. Asley Gonzalez Macias     Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 16-2, 7 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Lourdes Juarez, March 25
Next: TBA
3. Micaela Lujan     Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 11-1-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (MD10) Irma Garcia, Aug. 20
Next: TBA
4. Clara Lescurat     Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 9-0, 4 KOs
Last: W (TKO8) Daniela De Jesus Aguiar, May 20
Next: TBA
5. Lourdes Juarez     Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 34-4, 4 KOs
Last: L (SD10) Asley Gonzalez Macias, March 25
Next: TBA
FLYWEIGHT (Up to 112 pounds)
1. Marlen Esparza     Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 14-1, 1 KO
Last: W (MD10) Gabriela Celeste Alaniz, July 8
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. Gabriela Celeste Alaniz     Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 14-1, 6 KOs
Last: L (MD10) Marlen Esparza, July 8
Next: TBA
4. Kenia Enriquez     Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 26-1, 11 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Ibeth Zamora, Nov. 10
Next: TBA
5. Gabriela Fundora     Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 11-0, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Maria Micheo Santizo, April 8
Next: TBA
JUNIOR FLYWEIGHT (Up to 108 pounds)
1. Jessica Nery Plata     Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 29-2, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Kim Clavel, Jan. 13
Next: TBA
2. Evelin Bermudez     Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 18-0-1, 6 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Tania Enriquez, March 10
Next: TBA
3. Kim Clavel     Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 17-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Naomi Arellano Reyes, May 12
Next: TBA
5. Tania Enriquez     Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 21-1, 10 KOs
Last: W (TKO1) Cecilia Nino Rodriguez, July 29
Next: TBA
5. Anabel Ortiz     Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 33-5, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Maria Micheo Santizo, Oct. 20
Next: TBA
STRAWWEIGHT (Up to 105 pounds)
1. Seniesa Estrada     Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 25-0, 9 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Leonela Yudica, July 28
Next: TBA
2. Yokasta Valle     Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 29-2, 9 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Maria Micheo Santizo, Sept. 16
Next: TBA
3. Sarah Bormann     Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 17-0, 7 KO
Last: W (UD10) Perla Perez, June 24
Next: TBA
4. Tina Rupprecht     Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 12-1-1, 3 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Seniesa Estrada, March 25
Next: TBA
5. Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen     Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 5-1, 1 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Yokasta Valle, Sept. 8
Next: TBA
ATOMWEIGHT (Up to 102 pounds)
1. Yuko Kuroki     Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 22-7-2, 9 KOs
Last: W (MD10) Montserrat Alarcon, Aug. 5
Next: TBA
2. Mika Iwakawa     Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 12-6-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (TKO3) Ploypailin Palatsrichuai, Feb. 26
Next: TBA
3. Monserrat Alarcon     Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 18-5-2, 0 KOs
Last: L (MD10) Yuko Kuroki, Aug. 5
Next: TBA
4. Fabiana Bytyqi     Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 20-0-2, 5 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Elizabeth Lopez Corzo, April 15
Next: TBA
5. Ayaka Miyao     Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 25-10-2, 6 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Mika Iwakawa, Sept. 1
Next: TBA