It was a weekend of maintaining in women's boxing. Erika Cruz held off a game challenge from Melissa Esquivel to retain her WBA featherweight world title -- and her place in the rankings -- while Esquivel picked up attention that the 27-year-old is not to be trifled with.
Micaela Lujan looked sharp in a dominant performance during her IBF junior bantamweight title defense, and Patricia Berghult picked up a unanimous decision victory to win the WBC junior middleweight world title with another good fight in Sweden.
It's all setting up for a strong December, leading into a big first quarter of 2022, when so many of our top-5 fighters in each division will be stepping back into the ring.
Rankings will be updated every Tuesday. They'll be based on recent bouts, head-to-head competition and 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 two years 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
Next: TBA
2. Danielle Perkins Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 3-0, 1 KO
Last: W (UD8) Monika Harrison, March 5
Next: TBA
3. Angelica Lopez Flores Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 13-0, 7 KOs
Last: W (TKO4) Bertha Murillo, Dec. 5
Next: TBA
4. Sequita Hemingway Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 1-0, 0 KOs
Last: W (MD4) Alrie Meleisea, July 10
Next: TBA
5. Seini Draughn Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 4-0-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (MD4) Monika Harrison, May 22
Next: TBA
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT (Up to 168 pounds)
1. Franchon Crews Dezurn Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 7-1, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Ashleigh Curry, Jan. 2
Next: TBA
2. Christina Hammer Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 26-1, 12 KOs
Last: W (KO7) Sanna Turunen, Dec. 20
Next: TBA
3. Elin Cederroos Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 8-0, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Alicia Napoleon Espinosa, Jan. 10, 2020
Next: TBA
4. Ema Kozin Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 21-0-1, 11 KOs
Last: W (TKO2) Radana Knezevic, May 22
Next: Dec. 11 vs. Claressa Shields
5. Shadasia Green Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 8-0, 7 KOs
Last: W (TKO1) Angie Barcas, May 1
Next: TBA
MIDDLEWEIGHT (Up to 160 pounds)
Olympian Claressa Shields made in Flint
E:60 profiles Claressa Shields' beginnings in Flint, Michigan, before she won Olympic gold in women's boxing in 2012.
1. Claressa Shields Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 11-0, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Marie Eve Dicaire, March 5
Next: Jan. 29 vs. Ema Kozin
2. Savannah Marshall Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 11-0, 9 KOs
Last: W (TKO2) Lolita Muzeya, Oct. 16
Next: Dec. 11 vs. TBA
3. Ema Kozin Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 21-0-1, 11 KOs
Last: W (TKO2) Radana Knezevic, May 22
Next: Jan. 29 vs. Claressa Shields
4. Femke Hermans Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 12-3, 5 KOs
Last: W (KO3) Lili Jumali, July 17
Next: Nov. 19 vs. TBA
5. Lolita Muzeya Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 16-1, 8 KOs
Last: L (TKO2) Savannah Marshall, Oct. 16
Next: TBA
JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT (Up to 154 pounds)
1. Claressa Shields Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 11-0, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Marie Eve Dicaire, March 5
Next: Jan. 29 vs. Ema Kozin
2. Marie-Eve Dicaire Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 17-1, 0 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Claressa Shields, March 5
Next: Dec. 17 vs. Cynthia Lozano
3. Patricia Berghult Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 15-0, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Olivia Belkacem, Nov. 27
Next: TBA
4. Hannah Rankin 
Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 11-5, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Maria Lindberg, Nov. 5
Next: TBA
5. Chevelle Hallback Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 33-8-2, 13 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Logan Holler, Aug. 7
Next: TBA
WELTERWEIGHT (Up to 147 pounds)
1. Jessica McCaskill Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 11-2, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Cecilia Braekhus, March 13
Next: Dec. 4 vs. Victoria Bustos
2. Cecilia Braekhus Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 36-2, 9 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Jessica McCaskill, March 13
Next: TBA
3. Layla McCarter Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 44-13-5, 11 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Beatriz Aguilar, Nov. 7, 2020
Next: TBA
4. Ewa Piatkowska Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 16-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD6) Judy Waguthii, May 14
Next: TBA
5. Alma Ibarra Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 9-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Kandi Wyatt, Aug. 20
Next: TBA
JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT (Up to 140 pounds)
1. Chantelle Cameron Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 15-0, 8 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Mary McGee, Oct. 30
Next: TBA vs. Kali Reis
2. Kali Reis Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 19-7-1, 5 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Jessica Camara, Nov. 19
Next: TBA vs. Chantelle Cameron
3. Mary McGee Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 27-4, 15 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Chantelle Cameron, Oct. 30
Next: TBA
4. Anahi Ester Sanchez Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 20-5, 12 KOs
Last: W (TKO3) Maria Soledad Capriolo, Dec. 18
Next: TBA
5. Jessica Camara Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 8-3, 0 KOs
Last: L (SD10) Kali Reis, Nov. 19
Next: TBA
LIGHTWEIGHT (Up to 135 pounds)
1. Katie Taylor Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 19-0, 6 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Jennifer Han, Sept. 4
Next: Dec. 11 vs. Firuza Sharipova
2. Estelle Yoka Mossely Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 9-0, 1 KO
Last: W (UD10) Verena Kaiser, March 5
Next: TBA
3. Delfine Persoon Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 46-3, 19 KOs
Last: W (TKO4) Beatriz Aguilar, Nov. 1
Next: TBA
4. Jennifer Han Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 18-4-1, 1 KO
Last: L (UD10) Katie Taylor, Sept. 4
Next: TBA
5. Natasha Jonas Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 9-2-1, 7 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Katie Taylor, May 1
Next: TBA
JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT (Up to 130 pounds)
Mikaela Mayer battles Erica Farias to retain title
Mikaela Mayer goes the distance to successfully fend off Erica Farias and defend her WBO junior lightweight championship.
1. Mikaela Mayer Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 16-0, 5 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Maiva Hamadouche, Nov. 5
Next: TBA
2. Alycia Baumgardner Previous ranking: N/R
Record: 11-1, 7 KOs
Last: W (TKO4) Terri Harper, Nov. 13
Next: TBA
3. Maiva Hamadouche Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 22-2, 18 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Mikaela Mayer, Nov. 5
Next: TBA
4. Delfine Persoon Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 46-3, 19 KOs
Last: W (TKO4) Beatriz Aguilar, Nov. 1
Next: TBA
5. Hyun Mi Choi Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 19-0-1, 5 KOs
Last: W (TKO9) Simone Aparecida da Silva, Sept. 18
Next: TBA
FEATHERWEIGHT (Up to 126 pounds)
Jake Paul on signing Amanda Serrano to MVP Promotions
Jake Paul explains why signing boxer Amanda Serrano to MVP Promotions is a good fit.
1. Amanda Serrano Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 41-1-1, 30 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Yamileth Mercado, Aug. 29
Next: Dec. 18 vs. Miriam Gutierrez (at 135 pounds)
2. Erika Cruz Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 14-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Melissa Esquivel, Nov. 26
Next: TBA
3. Sarah Mahfoud Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 10-0, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Brenda Karen Carabajal, Feb. 1, 2020
Next: TBA
4. Yamileth Mercado Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 18-3, 5 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Amanda Serrano, Oct. 29
Next: TBA
5. Nina Meinke Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 12-2, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD6) Tereza Dvorakova, April 17
Next: TBA
JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHT (Up to 122 pounds)
1. Dina Thorslund Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 17-0, 7 KOs
Last: W (KO7) Zulina Munoz, Nov. 13
Next: TBA
2. Daniela Bermudez Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 29-4-3, 10 KOs
Last: L (KO9) Amanda Serrano, March 25
Next: TBA
3. Jackie Nava Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 39-4-4, 16 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Mariana Juarez, Oct. 30
Next: TBA
4. Yamileth Mercado Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 18-3, 5 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Amanda Serrano, Oct. 29
Next: TBA
5. Segolene Lefebvre Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 14-0, 1 KO
Last: W (UD10) Jasmina Nad, May 28
Next: Nov. 20 vs. Paulette Valenzuela
Yazmin Rivas has been removed due to inactivity.
BANTAMWEIGHT (Up to 118 pounds)
1. Dina Thorslund Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 17-0, 7 KOs
Last: W (KO7) Zulina Munoz, Nov. 13
Next: TBA
2. Yulihan Alejandra Luna Avila Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 22-3-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (TKO4) Karla Valenzuela, Sept. 10
Next: TBA
3. Jamie Mitchell Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 7-0-2, 4 KOs
Last: W (MD10) Shannon Courtenay, Oct. 9
Next: TBA
4. Zulina Munoz 
Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 53-4-2, 30 KOs
Last: L (KO7) Dina Thorslund, Nov. 13
Next: TBA
5. Shannon O'Connell Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 22-6-1, 10 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Taylah Robertson, Oct. 23
Next: TBA
JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHT (Up to 115 pounds)
1. Lourdes Juarez Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 32-2, 4 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Diana Laura Fernandez, July 16
Next: TBA
2. Guadalupe Martinez Guzman Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 20-10, 6 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Lourdes Juarez, Dec. 12
Next: TBA
3. Yessica Chavez Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 32-5-3, 4 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Susy Kandy Sandoval, July 17
Next: TBA
4. Diana Laura Fernandez Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 24-4-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (SD8) Ana Victoria Polo, Aug. 27
Next: TBA
5. Micaela Milagros Lujan Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 10-1-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Nataly Delgado, Nov. 26
Next: TBA
FLYWEIGHT (Up to 112 pounds)
1. Marlen Esparza Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 10-1, 1 KO
Last: W (UD10) Ibeth Zamora Silva, June 19
Next: Dec. 18 vs. Anabel Ortiz
2. Naoko Fujioka Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 19-2-1, 7 KOs
Last: W (MD10) Sulem Urbina Ochoa, July 9
Next: TBA
3. Arely Mucino Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 29-3-2, 10 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Lucia Hernandez Nunez, March 25
Next: TBA
4. Debora Anahi Lopez Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 19-0-1, 1 KO
Last: W (UD6) Lucia De Los Angeles Ruiz, July 8
Next: TBA
5. Ibeth Zamora Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 32-7, 12 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Marlen Esparza, June 19
Next: TBA
JUNIOR FLYWEIGHT (Up to 108 pounds)
1. Seniesa Estrada Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 21-0, 8 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Tenkai Tsunami, July 9
Next: Dec. 18 vs. Maria Santizo
2. Kim Clavel Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 14-0, 2 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Maria Soledad Vargas, Aug. 28
Next: Dec. 17 vs. Yesenia Gomez
3. Evelin Bermudez Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 14-0-1, 4 KOs
Last: W (TKO9) Tamara Elisabet Demarco, July 4
Next: TBA
4. Yesica Bopp Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 37-2, 17 KOs
Last: W (TKO4) Johana Zuniga, Oct. 22
Next: TBA
5. Maria Guadalupe Bautista Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 18-11-2, 3 KOs
Last: W (MD10) Melissa Meraz, Sept. 4
Next: Nov. 13 vs. Nora Cardoza
STRAWWEIGHT (Up to 105 pounds)
1. Seniesa Estrada Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 21-0, 8 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Tenkai Tsunami, July 9
Next: Dec. 18 vs. Maria Santizo
2. Tina Rupprecht Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 11-0-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Katia Gutierrez, July 24
Next: TBA
3. Yokasta Valle Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 22-2, 9 KOs
Last: W (UD10) Debora Rengifo, Aug. 7
Next: TBA
4. Anabel Ortiz Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 31-4, 4 KOs
Last: L (UD10) Seniesa Estrada, March 20
Next: Dec. 18 vs. Marlen Esparza
5. Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 5-0, 1 KO
Last: W (UD10) Etsuko Tada, Oct. 23
Next: TBA
ATOMWEIGHT (Up to 102 pounds)
1. Monserrat Alarcon Previous ranking: No. 1
Record: 16-4-2, 0 KOs
Last: W (UD8) Tania Itzel Garcia Hernandez, Aug. 28
Next: TBA
2. Saemi Hanagata Previous ranking: No. 2
Record: 16-7-5, 7 KOs
Last: Draw (MD10) Eri Matsuda, March 18
Next: TBA
3. Eri Matsuda Previous ranking: No. 3
Record: 4-0-1, 1 KO
Last: Draw (MD10) Saemi Hanagata, March 18
Next: TBA
4. Mika Iwakawa Previous ranking: No. 4
Record: 10-5-1, 3 KOs
Last: W (SD10) Nanae Suzuki, Sept. 6, 2020
Next: TBA
5. Kaori Nagai Previous ranking: No. 5
Record: 6-3-3, 2 KOs
Last: L (UD8) Ayaka Miyao, Sept. 22
Next: TBA