Ring City has provided its list of the top twelve pound-for-pound boxers in the world. While the list does not necessarily reflect Boxingtalk's opinions, it makes for a very interesting read:

 

1. CLARESSA SHIELDS (10-0) USA, 25, - Now fighting in the junior middleweight division, Shields has seldom lost a round-- let alone a fight-- since becoming a professional. No other fighter can say that on this list. On March 5th, Shields faces Canada’s undefeated Marie Eve Dicaire for the undisputed 154-pound world championship.

 

2. KATIE TAYLOR (17-0) Ireland, 34, - The undisputed lightweight world champion has speed galore and has added a better understanding of the professional fight game. She has also become the biggest attraction in women’s boxing. Taylor seeks to move up one weight division to help gain traction for the women’s fight game.

 

3. LAYLA McCARTER (44-13-5, 11 KOs) USA, 41, - The last time McCarter, currently at 140 pounds, lost a fight was in 2007. The Las Vegas-based McCarter has more fighting skills than anyone on this list, but time is running out. Does she still have the reflexes?

 

4. AMANDA SERRANO (39-1-1, 29 KOs) USA, 32 – The Puerto Rican fighter from Brooklyn is considered women boxing’s biggest knockout puncher. Serrano has also captured world titles in seven weight divisions. On March 5, she is set to face fellow pound-for-pound fighter Daniela Bermudez of Argentina.

 

5. JESSICA McCASKILL (9-2) USA, 36 – The Chicago fighter is currently the undisputed welterweight world champion after toppling Cecilia Braekhus last year. They are scheduled to fight each other again on March 13. McCaskill can fight inside or out.

 

6. DELFINE PERSOON (44-3) Belgium, 36 – Last year she battled and lost to Katie Taylor for a second time but captivated the boxing world with her relentless style. Persoon has decided to drop down in weight and now fights at super featherweight.

 

7. CECILIA BRAEKHUS (36-1) Norway, 39, the former undisputed welterweight champion has a rematch scheduled with Jessica McCaskill on March 13. She has long been one of the top female fighters in the world. Braekhus has speed, stamina and punching power.

 

8. YESICA BOPP (36-1) Argentina, 36, the light flyweight spent most of last year trying to make the Olympic team. She's blessed with speed and athleticism, but can she still compete with the new generation of fighters?

 

9. DANIELA BERMUDEZ (29-3-3) Argentina, 31, the super bantamweight fighter has accepted the challenge to move up in weight and face dangerous Amanda Serrano on March 25 for the WBO and WBC featherweight world titles. It should be a fire fight. Bermudez may be one of boxing’s best kept secrets.

 

10. NAOKO FUJIOKA (18-2-1) Japan, 45, now a flyweight world champion, has been her country’s greatest female fighter and has grabbed world titles in five weight divisions. Strength and a willingness to face anyone, anywhere have long been her assets.  

 

11. YULIHAN LUNA AVILA (20-3-1) Mexico, 26, her surprise victory over long reigning legendary champion Mariana “Barbie” Juarez established her immediately on this list. Luna, a bantamweight, hails from Durango, Mexico.

 

12. MAIVA HAMADOUCHE  (22-1,18 KOs) France, 31, the super featherweight titlist has opted to participate in the Olympic trials instead of against other pros. What a shame. She has a relentless brawling style that overwhelms opponents. 

 

Ring City press release written by David A. Avila is a boxing columnist and 2019 International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame inductee. He has covered the sport of boxing since 1985. Avila is based in Southern California and is a UCLA graduate.