Gabriela Fundora (proper) lands a protracted proper jab on Christina Cruz – Picture by Golden Boy/Cris Esqueda
It’s not ordinary to see an undefeated champion retire at 32 years of age, however that’s precisely what future Corridor of Famer Seniesa Estrada did this previous week, and her exit has not solely left the Ring flyweight championship vacant but in addition an open spot within the pound-for-pound prime 10 as effectively.
After a vote that included candidates reminiscent of Savannah Marshall and Lauren Value, lastly it was flyweight titlist Gabriela Fundora the one who was picked to enter the pound-for-pound listing at No. 10, with everybody shifting up one spot to fill Estrada’s No. 4 place, surpassing even Ring flyweight champ Gabriela Alaniz, who fights Fundora this coming Saturday.
“Assuming she beats Chucky Alaniz this weekend, which she most positively ought to, Fundora is poised to turn into undisputed 112-pound champion at solely 22,” mentioned author Christopher Benedict in his remark. “A younger, tall southpaw who packs a punch, the sky’s the restrict for Fundora.”
Stunning Brawlers’ Lupi Beagle mentioned that “(Fundora) takes the actual fights and wins with none doubt,” whereas TV producer and author Yesica Palmetta mentioned that “Fundora is a wonderful candidate for P4P for her qualities within the ring, her achievements at a younger age and for the picture she gives as an athlete.”
A byproduct of this debate was a request to maneuver Denmark’s Dina Thorslund up within the pound-for-pound scores as effectively.
“Thorslund has defended her title 3 times this yr, whereas Baumgarder has solely fought as soon as. Plus, Thorslund is simply the higher fighter,” argued columnist Mark Jones, with author and editor Irene Deserti saying that “I additionally agree that Thorslund needs to be ranked above Baumgardner. Since her explosive win over Mayer, Alycia hasn’t had notably compelling matches, whereas Thorslund has maintained the next stage of exercise in opposition to strong opponents and stays undefeated. She positively deserves to be ranked larger at this level.”
With the brand new pound-for-pound lineup achieved, it was time to maneuver down the listing with a couple of extra adjustments.
Spain’s Jennifer Miranda broke into the featherweight scores at No. 5 with a win over Teresa Almengor. Though a number of panelists stay skeptic about her upside, the Spaniard has put up sufficient numbers on the board to earn the spot, in keeping with the overall sentiment.
As said above, bantamweight champ Dina Thorslund solidified her place as one of many world’s finest with one other strong win, this time in opposition to Japan’s Terumi Nuki. And in addition at 118 kilos, No. 4 Miyo Yoshida dropped a controversial choice in opposition to Shurretta Metcalf, a earlier occupant of those scores. Though it wasn’t a stellar efficiency by Metcalf, the consequence certified her to reenter the scores on the expense of Florencia Juarez. Metcalf is now No. 4 as Yoshida slips again to No. 5.
Within the strawweight division, Estrada’s exit left the division with no Ring champion. And a fast evaluation of the remainder of the division indicated that Jessica Basulto had been inactive and wanted to be dropped out as effectively. Argentina’s Sol Cudos was picked to turn into the brand new No. 5.
Diego M. Morilla has been writing for The Ring since 2013. He has additionally written for HBO.com, ESPN.com and lots of different magazines, web sites, newspapers and retailers since 1993. He’s a full member of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America and an elector for the Worldwide Boxing Corridor of Fame. He has received two first-place awards within the BWAA’s annual writing contest, and he’s the moderator of The Ring’s Ladies’s Rankings Panel. He served as copy editor for the second period of The Ring en Español (2018-2020) and is at present a author and editor for RingTV.com.
Comply with @MorillaBoxing
