1. Katie Taylor
Record: 20–0
Last fight: UD win Firuza Sharipova
Next fight: TBD
Taylor, 35, one of boxing’s most decorated amateurs, has enjoyed a meteoric rise since turning pro after the 2016 Olympics. She won a world title in her seventh fight, became a unified champion in her ninth and needed just 14 fights to become the undisputed champion at 135-pounds. Taylor, who picked up a title at 140-pounds, in 2019, is a significant draw, both in the U.K. and Stateside. Her next fight could be her biggest: As mentioned, negotiations are intensifying for a fight between Taylor and Amanda Serrano, which most see as the biggest fight in women’s boxing.
2. Claressa Shields
Record: 11-0
Last fight: UD win Marie Eve Dicaire
Next fight: Ema Kozin
How dominant has Shields been since turning pro in 2016? The two-time Olympic gold medalist has claimed undisputed status in two weight divisions (154 and 160-pounds) while collecting a pair of titles in a third (168). A lack of high level opponents has hurt Shields, pushing her, briefly, into mixed martial arts. That will change this year: After a tune-up fight in February, Shields, 26, is headed for a middleweight showdown against Savannah Marshall—the only boxer to beat Shields in the amateur ranks.
3. Amanda Serrano
Record: 42-1-1
Last fight: UD win Miriam Gutierrez
Next fight: TBD
Serrano’s resume is impressive. She’s a seven-division world champion who effortlessly bounces between the 115 to 140-pound weight classes. Consider: In 2018, Serrano beat Yamila Esther Reynoso to win a vacant title at junior welterweight. Four months later Serrano dropped down to super flyweight to knockout Eva Voraberger and claim another belt. With a showdown against Katie Taylor looming, Serrano, 33, will get an opportunity to knock off the women’s No. 1—and cement her status as one of the greatest women’s boxers of all-time.
4. Seniesa Estrada
Record: 22-0
Last fight: UD win Maria Micheo Santizo
Next fight: TBD
Estrada’s rise the last three years has been meteoric. In 2019, Estrada defeated ex-U.S. Olympian—and arguably women’s boxing’s best 112-pounder—Marlen Esparza. Last March, Estrada dropped down to 105-pounds to defeat long reigning titleholder Anabel Ortiz. In July she moved up to 108-pounds to take a second title off Tsunami Tenkai. Finally, in December, Estrada completed a three-fight year by stopping Maria Micheo Santizo, successfully defending her 105-pound belt. Mixed in Estrada recorded the fastest knockout in women’s boxing history, a seven-second obliteration of Miranda Adkins. Estrada, 29, aims to unify the 105-pound titles this year—a fight with IBF champion Yokasta Valle is in the works—before moving back up in weight, potentially for an anticipated rematch with Esparza.
5. Jessica McCaskill
Record: 11-2
Last fight: TKO win Kandi Wyatt
Next fight: TBD
Entering 2020, McCaskill was a solid fighter known for a pair of wins over ex-titleholder Erica Farias and a competitive loss to Katie Taylor. A close win over longtime reigning welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus earned McCaskill four 147-pound belts and a lopsided win in the rematch stamped her as one of the best in women’s boxing. Big opportunities await in ’22, with McCaskill, 37, lined up to face the winner of a planned fight between unified junior welterweight titleholders Chantelle Cameron and Kali Reiss, a fight that would pit undisputed champions in two weight divisions against each other.
https://www.si.com/boxing/2022/01/18...98_eTDejGPX7X8