If Katie Taylor and Claressa Shields fought in male divisions, where would they rank?

They wouldn't be ranked

 

Really low. They suck at boxing compared to men, skill-wise, not just based on physicality.

They would not be world level, and would also not be national level. They could probably be decent club fighters, but they both literally hit like girls, so they could also get knocked out by career club-level opponents with upside down records who have some dog in them.

If they had some sublime Rigondeaux level of defensive and technical skill or something, they might be able to off-set the physical disadvantages more.. But when the best women boxers make mistakes and lack qualities you would never see in the absolute best men, it makes it a lot worse... (See Katie Taylor has been falling forward over her punches her whole career, for one example)

I respect the women for what they do, and they fight way harder than dudes on average from what I've seen... But it's hard not to sound mean when these questions come up.

 

They would both be in the bottom 5% of the weight class. They may have more actual boxing skill than 25% or more of the fighters but speed and strength matter greatly and those deficits would move them to the bottom.

 

This is a very good way to put it, honest, and less mean sounding than how I said basically the same thing. Well done sir.

 

Thank you.

 

Apparantly the Canadian women's Olympic hockey team used to scrimmage against high level 15 year old boys and get absolutely dominated.

Apples and oranges yes...but in physical sports the advantages men have are far too great to overcome.

 

Charlie z would have a shot