List_of_heavyweight_boxing_champions
At boxing's beginning, the heavyweight division had no weight limit, and historically the weight class has gone with vague or no definition. During the 19th century many heavyweights were 170 pounds (12 st 2 lb, 77 kg) or less, though others weighed considerably more. John L. Sullivan was the first widely recognized champion under Marquess of Queensberry rules. Known as the "Boston Strong Boy," Sullivan weighed around 200 pounds when in shape, and helped transition the sport from its bare-knuckle era. Sullivan would be defeated for the title by "Gentleman" Jim Corbett over 21 rounds on September 7, 1892, the first heavyweight titleholder solely under Queensberry rules.
Current world heavyweight boxing champions
- Current WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury
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In 1920 a de facto minimum weight for a heavyweight was set at 175 pounds (12 st 7 lb, 79 kg) with the standardization of a weight limit for the light heavyweight division. The addition of the cruiserweight division, which began in 1979, reset the de facto minimum, first to 190 pounds and then to 200 pounds in 2004 when boxing's major sanctioning bodies universally raised the weight limit at which they'd recognize champions. The World Boxing Council created a new division called bridgerweight for boxers weighing between 200 and 225 pounds. As of June 2022 no other major organization has recognized the division.
The championship of the heavyweight division has been fractured or disputed at various times in its history. Until the 1960s, such disputes were settled in the ring, typically with alternate title claimants largely being forgotten. The rise of sanctioning organizations, however, have produced an environment where typically there is no single world heavyweight champion, with titleholders recognized by one of these organizations (a "World Champion") or more (a "Super Champion," a "Unified Champion," or, in the rare cases where the four most prominent organizations recognize the same boxer, an "Undisputed Champion").
Some title reigns are considered dubious owing to long periods of inactivity, the legitimacy of the organization granting championship recognition, and other factors. In 1967, for example, Muhammad Ali was denied a boxing license in every U.S. jurisdiction and stripped of his passport because of his refusal to be inducted into the armed forces. On April 29, 1967, his recognition as champion by both the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council was withdrawn. Yet Ali remained the lineal champion and was recognized by The Ring magazine and most boxing purists until his defeat in 1971. In pursuit of greater revenues, some organizations have now adopted a practice of simultaneously recognizing multiple champions in a weight division, creating a situation in which a champion may be unable not only to secure recognition from multiple sanctioning bodies but to secure sole recognition from a single one.
- WBA championship belt
- WBC championship belt
- IBF championship belt
- WBO championship belt
- The Ring magazine championship belt
Public Acclamation: 1884 to 1921
World champions were initially recognized by wide public acclamation, with heavyweight champions winning and losing championship recognition solely in the ring. Retirements periodically resulted in no one, true champion being recognized, while in other cases new champions were proclaimed only to see a previously recognized champion come out of retirement. Public interest in boxing resulted in a true champion being determined by means of title claimants facing one another in the ring, with the winner being recognized as world champion.
The Ring Magazine: 1922 to present
The Ring magazine has recognized heavyweight champions during two periods, commencing with its inaugural issue in 1922 and continuing until the 1990s, then again from 2002 to the present day. Under its original policy, a champion earned championship recognition in the ring, defeating the preceding champion or winning a bout between its top rated contenders. Once awarded, championship recognition could be lost only by death, retirement, or loss in the ring. In 2012, this policy was revised so championship recognition could be more easily awarded or withdrawn.[1]
Sanctioning Bodies: 1921 to present
The National Boxing Association (NBA) was organized in 1921 to serve as a regulating authority for boxing in the United States. The prominence of New York City as an epicenter of boxing would lead to its state boxing regulatory body, the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) joining the NBA in recognizing world champions in each weight class. A third entity, the European Boxing Union (IBU) would follow suit, but with limited exception in the heavyweight division the three organizations recognized the same champion.
At its 1962 convention, the NBA's non-United States members exploited a membership rule and took effective control of the organization, rebranding it as the World Boxing Association. The now WBA would be joined the following year by a combination of state and national boxing commissions (including the NYSAC and IBU) to form a new organization, the World Boxing Council (WBC). In time, each organization would have its own spin-off sanctioning organization break from its ranks: the United States Boxing Association, which disassociated with the WBA in the late 1970s and became the International Boxing Federation in 1983, and the World Boxing Organization, whose members would split from the WBC in 1988. Today there are over a dozen sanctioning organizations which recognize champions and sanction world championship bouts, but the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO are recognized by the International Boxing Hall Of Fame as major sanctioning bodies.
More information Organization, Recognition ...
| Organization | Recognition | Champion | Date won | Status of next defense |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WBA | Super champion | Oleksandr Usyk (def. Anthony Joshua) | September 25, 2021 | No present mandatory defense obligation |
| WBC | World champion | Tyson Fury (def. Deontay Wilder) | February 22, 2020 | No present mandatory defense obligation |
| IBF | World champion | Oleksandr Usyk (def. Anthony Joshua) | September 25, 2021 | No present mandatory defense obligation |
| WBO | World champion | Oleksandr Usyk def. Anthony Joshua) | September 25, 2021 | No present mandatory defense obligation |
Close
More information No., Champion ...
| No. | Champion | Recognition | Begin reign | End reign | Day(s) | Title defense(s) | Additional recognition | Note(s) | Source(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John L. Sullivan def. Dominick McCaffrey | World | August 29, 1885 | September 7, 1892 | 2,566 | – | 25,4 | [2] | |
| 2 | James J. Corbett | World | September 7, 1892 | March 17, 1897 | 1,652 | def. Charley Mitchell on January 25, 1894 |
5 | [3] | |
| 3 | Bob Fitzsimmons | World | March 17, 1897 | June 9, 1899 | 814 | – | [4] | ||
| 4 | James J. Jeffries | World | June 9, 1899 | May 15, 1905 | 2,166 | def. Tom Sharkey on November 3, 1899 def. John Finnegan on April 6, 1900 def. James J. Corbett on May 11, 1900 def. Gus Ruhlin on November 15, 1901 def. Bob Fitzsimmons on July 25, 1902 def. James J. Corbett on August 14, 1903 def. Jack Munroe on August 26, 1904 |
2,6 | [5] | |
| 5 | Marvin Hart def. Jack Root | World | July 3, 1905 | February 23, 1906 | 235 | – | 1 | [6] | |
| 6 | Tommy Burns | World | February 23, 1906 | December 26, 1908 | 1,037 | def. James J. Walker on March 28, 1906 def. Jim O'Brien on March 28, 1906 def. Fireman Jim Flynn on October 2, 1906 draw vs. Philadelphia Jack O'Brien on November 28, 1906 def. Philadelphia Jack O'Brien on May 8, 1907 def. Bill Squires on July 4, 1907 def. Gunner Moir on December 2, 1907 def. Jack Palmer on February 10, 1908 def. Jem Roche on March 17, 1908 def. Jewey Smith on April 18, 1908 def. Bill Squires on June 13, 1908 def. Bill Squires on August 24, 1908 def. Bill Lang on September 3, 1908 | [7] | ||
| 7 | Jack Johnson | World | December 26, 1908 | April 5, 1915 | 2,291 | draw vs. Philadelphia Jack O'Brien on May 19, 1909 def. Al Kaufman on September 9, 1909 def. Stanley Ketchel on October 16, 1909 def. James J. Jeffries on July 4, 1910 def. Fireman Jim Flynn on July 4, 1912 draw vs. Battling Jim Johnson on December 19, 1913 def. Frank Moran on June 27, 1914 |
7 | [8] | |
| 8 | Jess Willard | World | April 5, 1915 | July 4, 1919 | 1,551 | def. Frank Moran on March 25, 1916 | [9] | ||
| 9 | Jack Dempsey | World | July 4, 1919 | July 2, 1921 | 729 | def. Billy Miske on September 6, 1920 def. Bill Brennan on December 14, 1920 def. Georges Carpentier on July 2, 1921 | The Ring awarded the title in 1922 | [10] | |
| NBA | July 2, 1921 | July 24, 1922 | 387 | – | [10] | ||||
| NBA, and NYSAC | July 24, 1922 | September 23, 1926 | 1,522 | def. Tommy Gibbons on July 4, 1923 def. Luis Angel Firpo on September 14, 1923 | [10] | ||||
| 10 | Gene Tunney | NBA, and NYSAC | September 23, 1926 | July 31, 1928 | 677 | def. Jack Dempsey on September 22, 1927 def. Tom Heeney on July 26, 1928 | The Ring | 2 | [11] |
| 11 | Max Schmeling def. Jack Sharkey | NBA, and NYSAC | June 12, 1930 | January 7, 1931 | 209 | – | The Ring | 1,8 | [12] |
| NBA, and IBU | January 7, 1931 | June 21, 1932 | 531 | def. Young Stribling on July 3, 1931 | 1,10 | [12] | |||
| 12 | Jack Sharkey | NBA, NYSAC, and IBU | June 21, 1932 | June 29, 1933 | 373 | – | The Ring | [13] | |
| 13 | Primo Carnera | NBA, NYSAC, and IBU | June 29, 1933 | June 14, 1934 | 350 | def. Paulino Uzcudun on October 22, 1933 def. Tommy Loughran on March 1, 1934 | The Ring | 1,10 | [14] |
| 14 | Max Baer | NBA, NYSAC, and IBU | June 14, 1934 | June 13, 1935 | 364 | – | The Ring | 9 | [15] |
| 15 | James J. Braddock | NBA, NYSAC, and IBU | June 13, 1935 | June 22, 1937 | 740 | – | The Ring | [16] | |
| 16 | Joe Louis | NBA, NYSAC, and IBU | June 22, 1937 | March 1, 1949 | 4,270 | def. Tommy Farr on August 30, 1937 def. Nathan Mann on February 23, 1938 def. Harry Thomas on April 4, 1938 def. Max Schmeling on June 22, 1938 def. John Henry Lewis on January 25, 1939 def. Jack Roper on April 17, 1939 def. Tony Galento on June 28, 1939 def. Bob Pastor on September 20, 1939 def. Arturo Godoy on February 9, 1940 def. Johnny Paychek on March 29, 1940 def. Arturo Godoy on June 20, 1940 def. Al McCoy on December 16, 1940 def. Red Burman on January 31, 1941 def. Gus Dorazio on February 17, 1941 def. Abe Simon on March 21, 1941 def. Tony Musto on April 8, 1941 def. Buddy Baer on May 23, 1941 def. Billy Conn on June 18, 1941 def. Lou Nova on September 29, 1941 def. Buddy Baer on January 9, 1942 def. Abe Simon on March 27, 1942 def. Johnny Davis on November 14, 1944 def. Billy Conn on June 19, 1946 def. Tami Mauriello on September 18, 1946 def. Jersey Joe Walcott on December 5, 1947 def. Jersey Joe Walcott on June 25, 1948 | The Ring | 2 | [17][18] |
| 17 | Ezzard Charles def. Jersey Joe Walcott | NBA | June 22, 1949 | September 27, 1950 | 462 | def. Gus Lesnevich on August 10, 1949 def. Pat Valentino on October 14, 1949 def. Freddie Beshore on August 15, 1950 def. Joe Louis on September 27, 1950 | The Ring | 1,10 | [19] |
| NBA, and NYSAC | September 27, 1950 | June 16, 1951 | 261 | def. Nick Barone on December 5, 1950 def. Lee Oma on January 12, 1951 def. Jersey Joe Walcott on March 7, 1951 def. Joey Maxim on May 30, 1951 | 1,10 | [19] | |||
| NBA, NYSAC, and IBU | June 16, 1951 | July 18, 1951 | 33 | – | [19] | ||||
| 18 | Jersey Joe Walcott | NBA, and NYSAC | July 18, 1951 | September 23, 1952 | 433 | def. Ezzard Charles on June 5, 1952 | The Ring | [20] | |
| 19 | Rocky Marciano | NBA, and NYSAC | September 23, 1952 | April 27, 1956 | 1,312 | def. Jersey Joe Walcott on March 15, 1953 def. Roland LaStarza on September 24, 1953 def. Ezzard Charles on June 17, 1954 def. Ezzard Charles on September 17, 1954 def. Don Cockell on May 16, 1955 def. Archie Moore on September 21, 1955 | The Ring | 2 | [21] |
| 20 | Floyd Patterson def. Archie Moore | NBA, and NYSAC | November 30, 1956 | June 26, 1959 | 938 | def. Tommy Jackson on July 29, 1957 def. Pete Rademacher on August 22, 1957 def. Roy Harris on August 18, 1958 def. Brian London on May 1, 1959 | The Ring | 1,11 | [22] |
| 21 | Ingemar Johansson | NBA, and NYSAC | June 26, 1959 | June 20, 1960 | 360 | – | The Ring | [23] | |
| 22 | Floyd Patterson (Second reign) | NBA, and NYSAC | June 20, 1960 | September 25, 1962 | 827 | def. Ingemar Johansson on March 13, 1961 def. Tom McNeeley on December 4, 1961 | The Ring | [22] | |
| 23 | Sonny Liston | NYSAC, and WBA | September 25, 1962 | July 22, 1963 | 270 | def. Floyd Patterson on July 22, 1963 | The Ring | [24] | |
| NYSAC, WBA, and WBC | July 22, 1963 | February 25, 1964 | 248 | – | [24] | ||||
| 24 | Muhammad Ali | NYSAC, WBA, and WBC | February 25, 1964 | June 19, 1964 | 115 | – | The Ring | 12 | [25] |
| NYSAC, and WBC | June 19, 1964 | February 6, 1967 | 962 | def. Sonny Liston on May 25, 1965 def. Floyd Patterson on November 22, 1965 def. George Chuvalo on March 29, 1966 def. Henry Cooper on May 21, 1966 def. Brian London on August 6, 1966 def. Karl Mildenberger on September 10, 1966 def. Cleveland Williams on November 14, 1966 def. Ernie Terrell on February 6, 1967 | [25] | ||||
| NYSAC, WBA, and WBC | February 6, 1967 | April 29, 1967 | 82 | def. Zora Folley on March 22, 1967 | 13 | [25] | |||
| 25 | Muhammad Ali | WBA | March 5, 1965 | February 6, 1967 | 703 | def. George Chuvalo on November 1, 1965 def. Doug Jones on June 28, 1966 | – | 1 | [26] |
| 26 | Joe Frazier def. Buster Mathis | NYSAC | March 4, 1968 | February 16, 1970 | 714 | def. Manuel Ramos on June 24, 1968 def. Oscar Bonavena on December 10, 1968 def. Dave Zyglewicz on April 22, 1969 def. Jerry Quarry on June 23, 1969 def. Jimmy Ellis on February 16, 1970 | The Ring def. Muhammad Ali on March 8, 1971 | 1 | [27] |
| WBA, and WBC | February 16, 1970 | January 22, 1973 | 1,071 | def. Bob Foster on November 18, 1970 def. Muhammad Ali on March 8, 1971 def. Terry Daniels on January 15, 1972 def. Ron Stander on May 25, 1972 | 15 | [27] | |||
| 27 | Jimmy Ellis def. Jerry Quarry | WBA | April 27, 1968 | February 16, 1970 | 660 | def. Floyd Patterson on September 14, 1968 | – | 1,14 | [28] |
| 28 | George Foreman | WBA, and WBC | January 22, 1973 | October 30, 1974 | 646 | def. José Roman on September 1, 1973 def. Ken Norton on March 26, 1974 | The Ring | 1,10 | [29] |
| 29 | Muhammad Ali (Second reign) | WBA, and WBC | October 30, 1974 | February 15, 1978 | 1,204 | def. Chuck Wepner on March 24, 1975 def. Ron Lyle on May 16, 1975 def. Joe Bugner on June 30, 1975 def. Joe Frazier on October 1, 1975 def. Jean-Pierre Coopman on February 20, 1976 def. Jimmy Young on April 30, 1976 def. Richard Dunn on May 24, 1976 def. Ken Norton on September 28, 1976 def. Alfredo Evangelista on May 16, 1977 def. Earnie Shavers on September 29, 1977 | The Ring | [25] | |
| 30 | Leon Spinks | WBA, and WBC | February 15, 1978 | March 18, 1978 | 31 | – | The Ring | 3 | [30] |
| WBA | March 18, 1978 | September 15, 1978 | 181 | – | [30] | ||||
| 31 | Ken Norton awarded the title | WBC | March 18, 1978 | June 9, 1978 | 83 | – | – | 16 | [31] |
| 32 | Larry Holmes | WBC | June 9, 1978 | December 11, 1983 | 2,011 | def. Alfredo Evangelista on November 10, 1978 def. Ossie Ocasio on March 23, 1979 def. Mike Weaver on June 22, 1979 def. Earnie Shavers on September 28, 1979 def. Lorenzo Zanon on February 3, 1980 def. Leroy Jones on March 31, 1980 def. Scott LeDoux on July 7, 1980 def. Muhammad Ali on October 2, 1980 def. Trevor Berbick on April 11, 1981 def. Leon Spinks on June 12, 1981 def. Renaldo Snipes on November 6, 1981 def. Gerry Cooney on June 11, 1982 def. Randall "Tex" Cobb on November 26, 1982 def. Lucien Rodriguez on March 27, 1983 def. Tim Witherspoon on May 20, 1983 def. Scott Frank on September 10, 1983 | The Ring def. Muhammad Ali on October 2, 1980 | 2 | [32] |
| IBF | December 11, 1983 | September 21, 1985 | 650 | def. James Smith on November 9, 1984 def. David Bey on March 15, 1985 def. Carl Williams on May 20, 1985 | 17 | [32] | |||
| 33 | Muhammad Ali (Third reign) | WBA | September 15, 1978 | October 18, 1979 | 398 | – | The Ring | 2 | [25] |
| 34 | John Tate def. Gerrie Coetzee | WBA | October 20, 1979 | March 31, 1980 | 163 | – | – | 1 | [33] |
| 35 | Mike Weaver | WBA | March 31, 1980 | December 10, 1982 | 984 | def. Gerrie Coetzee on October 25, 1980 def. James Tillis on October 3, 1981 | – | [34] | |
| 36 | Michael Dokes | WBA | December 10, 1982 | September 23, 1983 | 287 | draw vs. Mike Weaver on May 20, 1983 | – | [35] | |
| 37 | Gerrie Coetzee | WBA | September 23, 1983 | December 1, 1984 | 435 | – | – | [36] | |
| 38 | Tim Witherspoon def. Greg Page | WBC | March 9, 1984 | August 31, 1984 | 175 | – | – | 1 | [37] |
| 39 | Pinklon Thomas | WBC | August 31, 1984 | March 22, 1986 | 568 | def. Mike Weaver on June 15, 1985 | – | [38] | |
| 40 | Greg Page | WBA | December 1, 1984 | April 29, 1985 | 149 | – | – | [39] | |
| 41 | Tony Tubbs | WBA | April 29, 1985 | January 17, 1986 | 263 | – | – | [40] | |
| 42 | Michael Spinks | IBF | September 21, 1985 | February 26, 1987 | 523 | def. Larry Holmes on April 19, 1986 def. Steffen Tangstad on September 6, 1986 | The Ring | 3 | [41] |
| 43 | Tim Witherspoon (Second reign) | WBA | January 17, 1986 | December 12, 1986 | 329 | def. Frank Bruno on July 19, 1986 | – | [37] | |
| 44 | Trevor Berbick | WBC | March 22, 1986 | November 22, 1986 | 245 | – | – | [42] | |
| 45 | Mike Tyson | WBC | November 22, 1986 | March 7, 1987 | 105 | def. James Smith on March 7, 1987 | The Ring def. Michael Spinks on June 27, 1988 | [43] | |
| WBA, and WBC | March 7, 1987 | August 1, 1987 | 147 | def. Pinklon Thomas on May 30, 1987 def. Tony Tucker on August 1, 1987 | [43] | ||||
| WBA, WBC, and IBF | August 1, 1987 | February 11, 1990 | 925 | def. Tyrell Biggs on October 16, 1987 def. Larry Holmes on January 22, 1988 def. Tony Tubbs on March 21, 1988 def. Michael Spinks on June 27, 1988 def. Frank Bruno on February 25, 1989 def. Carl Williams on July 21, 1989 | [43] | ||||
| 46 | James "Bonecrusher" Smith | WBA | December 12, 1986 | March 7, 1987 | 85 | – | – | [44] | |
| 47 | Tony Tucker def. Buster Douglas | IBF | May 30, 1987 | August 1, 1987 | 64 | – | – | 1 | [45] |
| 48 | Francesco Damiani def. Johnny du Plooy | WBO | May 6, 1989 | January 11, 1991 | 616 | def. Daniel Eduardo Neto on December 16, 1989 | – | 1 | [46] |
| 49 | James "Buster" Douglas | WBA, WBC, and IBF | February 11, 1990 | October 25, 1990 | 257 | – | – | [47] | |
| 50 | Evander Holyfield | WBA, WBC, and IBF | October 25, 1990 | November 13, 1992 | 751 | def. George Foreman on April 19, 1991 def. Bert Cooper on November 23, 1991 def. Larry Holmes on June 19, 1992 | – | [48] | |
| 51 | Ray Mercer | WBO | January 11, 1991 | December 24, 1991 | 348 | def. Tommy Morrison on October 18, 1991 | – | 3 | [49] |
| 52 | Michael Moorer def. Bert Cooper | WBO | May 15, 1992 | February 3, 1993 | 265 | – | – | 1,2 | [50] |
| 53 | Riddick Bowe | WBA, WBC, and IBF | November 13, 1992 | December 14, 1992 | 32 | – | – | 2 | [51] |
| WBA, and IBF | December 14, 1992 | November 6, 1993 | 328 | def. Michael Dokes on February 6, 1993 def. Jesse Ferguson on May 22, 1993 | – | [51] | |||
| 54 | Lennox Lewis awarded the title | WBC | December 14, 1992 | September 24, 1994 | 650 | def. Tony Tucker on May 8, 1993 def. Frank Bruno on October 1, 1993 def. Phil Jackson on May 6, 1994 | – | 18 | [52] |
| 55 | Tommy Morrison def. George Foreman | WBO | June 7, 1993 | October 29, 1993 | 145 | def. Tim Tomashek on August 30, 1993 | – | 1 | [53] |
| 56 | Michael Bentt | WBO | October 29, 1993 | March 19, 1994 | 142 | – | – | [54] | |
| 57 | Evander Holyfield (Second reign) | WBA, and IBF | November 6, 1993 | April 22, 1994 | 168 | – | – | [48] | |
| 58 | Herbie Hide | WBO | March 19, 1994 | March 11, 1995 | 358 | – | – | [55] | |
| 59 | Michael Moorer (Second reign) | WBA, and IBF | April 22, 1994 | November 5, 1994 | 198 | – | – | [50] | |
| 60 | Oliver McCall | WBC | September 24, 1994 | September 2, 1995 | 344 | def. Larry Holmes on April 8, 1995 | – | [56] | |
| 61 | George Foreman (Second reign) | WBA, and IBF | November 5, 1994 | March 4, 1995 | 119 | – | – | 3 | [29] |
| IBF | March 4, 1995 | June 29, 1995 | 117 | def. Axel Schulz on April 22, 1995 | − | 2 | [29] | ||
| 62 | Riddick Bowe (Second reign) | WBO | March 11, 1995 | May 1, 1996 | 418 | def. Jorge Luis Gonzalez on June 17, 1995 | – | 3 | [51] |
| 63 | Bruce Seldon def. Tony Tucker | WBA | April 8, 1995 | September 7, 1996 | 519 | def. Joe Hipp on August 19, 1995 | – | 1 | [57] |
| 64 | Frank Bruno | WBC | September 2, 1995 | March 16, 1996 | 197 | – | – | [58] | |
| 65 | Mike Tyson (Second reign) | WBC | March 16, 1996 | September 7, 1996 | 175 | – | – | [43] | |
| WBA, and WBC | September 7, 1996 | September 24, 1996 | 17 | – | – | 2 | [43] | ||
| WBA | September 24, 1996 | November 9, 1996 | 46 | – | – | [43] | |||
| 66 | Michael Moorer (Third reign) def. Axel Schulz | IBF | June 22, 1996 | November 8, 1997 | 505 | def. Francois Botha on November 9, 1996 def. Vaughn Bean on March 29, 1997 | – | 1,19 | [50] |
| 67 | Henry Akinwande def. Jeremy Williams | WBO | June 29, 1996 | February 17, 1997 | 234 | def. Alexander Zolkin on November 9, 1996 def. Scott Welch on January 11, 1997 | – | 1,2 | [59] |
| 68 | Evander Holyfield (Third reign) | WBA | November 9, 1996 | November 8, 1997 | 365 | def. Mike Tyson on June 28, 1997 def. Michael Moorer on November 8, 1997 | – | [48] | |
| WBA, and IBF | November 8, 1997 | November 13, 1999 | 736 | def. Vaughn Bean on September 19, 1998 draw vs. Lennox Lewis on March 13, 1999 | – | [48] | |||
| 69 | Lennox Lewis (Second reign) def. Oliver McCall | WBC | February 7, 1997 | November 13, 1999 | 1010 | def. Henry Akinwande on July 12, 1997 def. Andrzej Golota on October 4, 1997 def. Shannon Briggs on March 28, 1998 def. Željko Mavrović on September 26, 1998 draw vs. Evander Holyfield on March 13, 1999 def. Evander Holyfield on November 13, 1999 | – | 1 | [52] |
| WBA, WBC, and IBF | November 13, 1999 | April 29, 2000 | 168 | – | – | 3 | [52] | ||
| WBC, and IBF | April 29, 2000 | April 22, 2001 | 358 | def. Michael Grant on April 29, 2000 def. Francois Botha on July 15, 2000 def. David Tua on November 11, 2000 | – | [52] | |||
| 70 | Herbie Hide (Second reign) def. Tony Tucker | WBO | June 28, 1997 | June 26, 1999 | 729 | def. Damon Reed on April 18, 1998 def. Wilhelm Fischer on September 26, 1998 | – | 1 | [55] |
| 71 | Vitali Klitschko | WBO | June 26, 1999 | April 1, 2000 | 281 | def. Ed Mahone on October 9, 1999 def. Obed Sullivan on December 11, 1999 | – | [60] | |
| 72 | Chris Byrd | WBO | April 1, 2000 | October 14, 2000 | 197 | – | – | [61] | |
| 73 | Evander Holyfield (Fourth reign) def. John Ruiz | WBA | August 12, 2000 | March 3, 2001 | 204 | – | – | 1 | [48] |
| 74 | Wladimir Klitschko | WBO | October 14, 2000 | March 8, 2003 | 876 | def. Derrick Jefferson on March 24, 2001 def. Charles Shufford on August 4, 2001 def. Francois Botha on March 16, 2002 def. Ray Mercer on June 29, 2002 def. Jameel McCline on December 7, 2002 | – | [62] | |
| 75 | John Ruiz | WBA | March 3, 2001 | March 1, 2003 | 729 | draw vs. Evander Holyfield on December 15, 2001 def. Kirk Johnson on July 27, 2002 | – | [63] | |
| 76 | Hasim Rahman | WBC, and IBF | April 22, 2001 | November 17, 2001 | 210 | – | – | [64] | |
| 77 | Lennox Lewis (Third reign) | WBC, and IBF | November 17, 2001 | September 5, 2002 | 293 | def. Mike Tyson on June 8, 2002 | The Ring awarded the title in 2002 | 2 | [52] |
| WBC | September 5, 2002 | February 6, 2004 | 519 | def. Vitali Klitschko on June 21, 2003 | 2 | [52] | |||
| 78 | Chris Byrd (Second reign) def. Evander Holyfield | IBF | December 14, 2002 | April 22, 2006 | 1,591 | def. Fres Oquendo on September 20, 2003 draw vs. Andrzej Golota on April 17, 2004 def. Jameel McCline on November 13, 2004 def. DaVarryl Williamson on October 1, 2005 | – | 1 | [61] |
| 79 | Roy Jones Jr. | WBA | March 1, 2003 | February 20, 2004 | 357 | – | – | 2 | [65] |
| 80 | Corrie Sanders | WBO | March 8, 2003 | October 9, 2003 | 216 | – | – | 2 | [66] |
| 81 | John Ruiz (Second reign) def. Hasim Rahman for interim title | WBA | February 20, 2004 | December 17, 2005 | 667 | def. Fres Oquendo on April 17, 2004 def. Andrzej Golota on November 13, 2004 | – | 20 | [63] |
| 82 | Lamon Brewster def. Wladimir Klitschko | WBO | April 10, 2004 | April 1, 2006 | 722 | def. Kali Meehan on September 4, 2004 def. Andrzej Golota on May 21, 2005 def. Luan Krasniqi on September 28, 2005 | – | 1 | [67] |
| 83 | Vitali Klitschko (Second reign) def. Corrie Sanders | WBC | April 24, 2004 | November 9, 2005 | 565 | def. Danny Williams on December 11, 2004 | The Ring | 1,2 | [60] |
| 84 | Hasim Rahman (Second reign) def. Monte Barrett for interim title | WBC | November 9, 2005 | August 12, 2006 | 277 | draw vs. James Toney on March 18, 2006 | – | 21 | [64] |
| 85 | Nikolai Valuev | WBA | December 17, 2005 | April 14, 2007 | 484 | def. Owen Beck on June 3, 2006 def. Monte Barrett on October 7, 2006 def. Jameel McCline on January 20, 2007 | – | 1,10 | [68] |
| 86 | Siarhei Liakhovich | WBO | April 1, 2006 | November 4, 2006 | 218 | – | – | [69] | |
| 87 | Wladimir Klitschko (Second reign) | IBF | April 22, 2006 | February 23, 2008 | 673 | def. Calvin Brock on November 11, 2006 def. Ray Austin on March 10, 2007 def. Lamon Brewster on July 7, 2007 def. Sultan Ibragimov on February 23, 2008 | The Ring def. Ruslan Chagaev on June 20, 2009 | [62] | |
| IBF, and WBO | February 23, 2008 | July 2, 2011 | 1,226 | def. Tony Thompson on July 12, 2008 def. Hasim Rahman on December 13, 2008 def. Ruslan Chagaev on June 20, 2009 def. Eddie Chambers on March 20, 2010 def. Samuel Peter on September 11, 2010 def. David Haye on July 2, 2011 | [62] | ||||
| WBA (Super), IBF, and WBO | July 2, 2011 | November 28, 2015 | 1,611 | def. Jean-Marc Mormeck on March 13, 2012 def. Tony Thompson on July 7, 2012 def. Mariusz Wach on November 10, 2012 def. Francesco Pianeta on May 4, 2013 def. Alexander Povetkin on October 5, 2013 def. Alex Leapai on April 26, 2014 def. Kubrat Pulev on November 15, 2014 def. Bryant Jennings on April 25, 2015 | [62] | ||||
| 88 | Oleg Maskaev | WBC | August 12, 2006 | December 9, 2006 | 120 | – | – | [70][71] | |
| December 9, 2006 | March 8, 2008 | 456 | def. Okello Peter on December 10, 2006 | – | |||||
| 89 | Shannon Briggs | WBO | November 4, 2006 | June 2, 2007 | 211 | – | – | [72] | |
| 90 | Ruslan Chagaev | WBA | April 14, 2007 | June 20, 2009 | 799 | def. Matt Skelton on January 19, 2008 def. Carl Davis Drumond on February 7, 2009 | – | 22 | [73] |
| 91 | Sultan Ibragimov | WBO | June 2, 2007 | February 23, 2008 | 267 | def. Evander Holyfield on October 13, 2007 | – | [74] | |
| 92 | Samuel Peter | WBC | March 8, 2008 | October 11, 2008 | 218 | – | – | [75] | |
| 93 | Nikolai Valuev (Second reign) def. John Ruiz | WBA | August 30, 2008 | November 7, 2009 | 435 | def. Evander Holyfield on December 20, 2008 | – | 1,22 | [68] |
| 94 | Vitali Klitschko (Third reign) | WBC | October 11, 2008 | December 15, 2013 | 1,892 | def. Juan Carlos Gomez on March 21, 2009 def. Chris Arreola on September 26, 2009 def. Kevin Johnson on December 12, 2009 def. Albert Sosnowski on May 29, 2010 def. Shannon Briggs on October 16, 2010 def. Odlanier Solís on March 19, 2011 def. Tomasz Adamek on September 10, 2011 def. Derek Chisora on February 18, 2012 def. Manuel Charr on September 8, 2012 | – | 2 | [60] |
| 95 | David Haye | WBA | November 7, 2009 | July 2, 2011 | 603 | def. John Ruiz on April 3, 2010 def. Audley Harrison on November 13, 2010 | – | [76] | |
| – | Alexander Povetkin def. Ruslan Chagaev | WBA (Regular) | August 27, 2011 | October 5, 2013 | 771 | def. Cedric Boswell on December 3, 2011 def. Marco Huck on February 25, 2012 def. Hasim Rahman on September 29, 2012 def. Andrzej Wawrzyk on May 17, 2013 | – | 1,23 | [77] |
| 96 | Bermane Stiverne def. Chris Arreola | WBC | May 10, 2014 | January 17, 2015 | 253 | – | – | 1 | [78] |
| – | Ruslan Chagaev def. Fres Oquendo | WBA (Regular) | July 6, 2014 | March 5, 2016 | 609 | def. Francesco Pianeta on July 11, 2015 | – | 1 | [73] |
| 97 | Deontay Wilder | WBC | January 17, 2015 | February 22, 2020 | 1,863 | def. Eric Molina on June 13, 2015 def. Johann Duhaupas on September 26, 2015 def. Artur Szpilka on January 16, 2016 def. Chris Arreola on July 16, 2016 def. Gerald Washington on February 25, 2017 def. Bermane Stiverne on November 4, 2017 def. Luis Ortiz on March 3, 2018 draw vs. Tyson Fury on December 1, 2018 def. Dominic Breazeale on May 18, 2019 def. Luis Ortiz on November 23, 2019 | – | [79] | |
| 98 | Tyson Fury | WBA (Super), IBF, and WBO | November 28, 2015 | December 8, 2015 | 11 | – | The Ring | 3 | [80] |
| WBA (Super), and WBO | December 8, 2015 | October 12, 2016 | 310 | – | 2 | [80] | |||
| 99 | Charles Martin def. Vyacheslav Glazkov | IBF | January 16, 2016 | April 9, 2016 | 85 | – | – | 1 | [81] |
| – | Lucas Browne | WBA (Regular) | March 5, 2016 | May 12, 2016 | 69 | – | – | 24 | [82] |
| 100 | Anthony Joshua | IBF | April 9, 2016 | April 29, 2017 | 386 | def. Dominic Breazeale on June 25, 2016 def. Eric Molina on December 10, 2016 def. Wladimir Klitschko on April 29, 2017 | – | [83] | |
| WBA (Super), and IBF | April 29, 2017 | March 31, 2018 | 337 | def. Carlos Takam on October 28, 2017 def. Joseph Parker on March 31, 2018 | – | 1 | [83] | ||
| WBA (Super), IBF, WBO | March 31, 2018 | June 1, 2019 | 428 | def. Alexander Povetkin on September 22, 2018 | – | [83] | |||
| – | Ruslan Chagaev awarded the title | WBA (Regular) | May 12, 2016 | July 25, 2016 | 75 | – | – | 3 | [73] |
| 101 | Joseph Parker def. Andy Ruiz Jr. | WBO | December 10, 2016 | March 31, 2018 | 477 | def. Răzvan Cojanu on May 6, 2017 def. Hughie Fury on September 23, 2017 | – | 1 | [84] |
| – | Manuel Charr def. Alexander Ustinov | WBA (Regular) | November 25, 2017 | January 29, 2021 | 1,162 | – | – | 1 | [85] |
| 102 | Andy Ruiz Jr. | WBA (Super), IBF, WBO | June 1, 2019 | December 7, 2019 | 190 | – | – | [86] | |
| 103 | Anthony Joshua (Second reign) | WBA (Super), IBF, WBO | December 7, 2019 | September 25, 2021 | 659 | def. Kubrat Pulev on December 12, 2020 | – | [83] | |
| 104 | Tyson Fury (Second reign) | WBC | February 22, 2020 | present | 1,524 | def. Deontay Wilder on October 9, 2021 def. Dillian Whyte on April 23, 2022 def. Derek Chisora on December 3, 2022 | The Ring | [80] | |
| – | Trevor Bryan def. Bermane Stiverne | WBA (Regular) | January 29, 2021 | June 11, 2022 | 498 | def. Jonathan Guidry on January 29, 2022 | – | 1,26 | [87] |
| 105 | Oleksandr Usyk | WBA (Super), IBF, WBO | September 25, 2021 | present | 943 | def. Anthony Joshua on August 20, 2022 def. Daniel Dubois on August 26, 2023 | The Ring def. Anthony Joshua on August 20, 2022 | [88] | |
| – | Daniel Dubois | WBA (Regular) | June 11, 2022 | August 26, 2023 | 441 | def. Kevin Lerena on December 3, 2022 | – | ||
| – | Manuel Charr | WBA (Regular) | August 31, 2023 | present | 237 | Reinstated by legal appeal | − | [89] |
Close
Footnotes
- Won vacant championship title.
- Voluntarily relinquished championship title.
- Championship recognition withdrawn by sanctioning organization upon his refusal to fight an opponent of the organization's designation.
- In 1882, Sullivan defeated Paddy Ryan to win the bare-knuckle championship of America. A lack of legitimate challengers elsewhere gradually resulted in Sullivan earning worldwide recognition. On August 29, 1885, he defeated Dominick McCaffrey in a bout described as "the Marquess of Queensberry glove contest for the championship of the world."
- Corbett announced his retirement from boxing in 1895, nominating Steve O'Donnell as his successor. As tradition demanded the title be won in the ring, O'Donnell was matched against Peter Maher on November 11, 1895, at Maspeth, New York. Maher won via first-round knockout, but the public generally didn't accept Maher and Maher himself expressed a desire to fight Corbett for the "real" title. In Maher's next bout, Bob Fitzsimmons defeated him via first-round knockout on February 21, 1896. Fitzsimmons in turn was defeated by Tom Sharkey of Dundalk on December 2, 1896, in a contest billed as for the heavyweight title. Corbett announced his return to the ring shortly thereafter, at which time the championship claims of Maher, Fitzsimmons, and Sharkey were for the most part dismissed. Sharkey's title claims lapsed when he was defeated by Jeffries in May 1898.
- Jeffries announced his retirement, relinquishing the title and promoting a match between Marvin Hart and Jack Root for the championship. Jeffries returned to the ring to challenge Jack Johnson.
- The British National Sporting Club withdrew its recognition of Johnson as champion when he refused to defend his title against the British champion William "Iron" Hague. The NSC matched Hague with Canadian Sam Langford for its title on May 24, 1909. Langford won via fourth-round knockout but never pursued a championship claim.
- Schmeling earned championship recognition by defeating Jack Sharkey by controversial disqualification. The New York State Athletic Commission withdrew its recognition of Schmeling when he refused to grant Sharkey an immediate rematch. The NYSAC did not recognize a champion until Sharkey defeated Schmeling in 1932.
- In late 1934, the International Boxing Union (IBU) ordered Baer to defend his title against European champion Pierre Charles of Belgium. When Baer refused, the IBU sanctioned a bout between Charles and American George Godfrey for their title on October 2, 1935. Godfrey won via fifteen-round decision but never pursued a championship claim. The IBU ultimately recognized Baer's successor James J. Braddock as champion.
- Two months after Louis' retirement announcement, the International Boxing Union sanctioned a bout between British champion Bruce Woodcock and American Lee Savold for its version of the title. The bout was not staged until June 1950, however, due to delays caused by injuries suffered by Woodcock in an automobile accident. Meanwhile, Ezzard Charles defeated Jersey Joe Walcott to win the vacant National Boxing Association championship title. Savold defeated Woodcock in four rounds to win the IBU title, while Charles gained New York State Athletic Commission recognition and wide public acclaim as champion upon defeating former champion Joe Louis in September 1950. On June 15, 1951, Joe Louis defeated Savold via sixth-round knockout, after which the IBU withdrew its recognition of Savold and proclaimed Ezzard Charles as champion.
- Following Marciano's retirement, Patterson was matched against Tommy "Hurricane" Jackson in a championship eliminator on June 8, 1956. Winning via controversial split decision, Patterson then faced light heavyweight titleholder Archie Moore for the vacant title. Upon defeating Moore, Patterson fought (and defeated) Jackson a second time on July 29, 1957.
- The World Boxing Association withdrew their championship recognition of Clay (by then known as Muhammad Ali) upon agreeing to an immediate rematch against former champion Sonny Liston, in violation of WBA rules. The newly founded World Boxing Council and other sanctioning groups continued to recognize Ali as champion.
- The World Boxing Association, World Boxing Council, New York State Athletic Commission and others withdrew their championship recognition of Ali following his refusal to be inducted into the United States Army subsequent to his conscription.
- To fill its vacant championship title, the World Boxing Association organized a single-elimination tournament involving eight of their ranked contenders (Joe Frazier, who was ranked No. 2, declined to participate): Oscar Bonavena, Jimmy Ellis, Leotis Martin, Karl Mildenberger, two-time former champion Floyd Patterson, Jerry Quarry, Thad Spencer, and former WBA champion Ernie Terrell. In first round matches, Ellis defeated Martin, Quarry defeated Patterson, Spencer defeated Terrell, and Bonavena defeated Mildenberger. In the semi-finals, Ellis defeated Bonavena while Quarry defeated Spencer; and Ellis defeated Quarry for the championship title. Frazier, meanwhile, was matched against Buster Mathis for a championship recognized by the New York State Athletic Commission together with the commissions of Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Similar "world" championship recognition was bestowed upon him by the Texas Athletic Commission following a victory over Dave Zyglewicz on April 22, 1969.
- Frazier defeated Ellis to unify the heavyweight championship, but did not gain World public acclaim as champion until defeating Muhammad Ali on March 8, 1971.
- In an unprecedented move, upon withdrawing its recognition of Leon Spinks as champion, the World Boxing Council immediately recognized Ken Norton as champion, based on an earlier victory over Jimmy Young. As a condition of being named champion, Norton was ordered to face the WBC's new mandatory challenger, Larry Holmes within 120 days.
- Holmes relinquished his World Boxing Council championship and accepted championship recognition bestowed by the newly organized International Boxing Federation.
- Following its 1978 precedent, upon withdrawing championship recognition from Riddick Bowe, the World Boxing Council immediately awarded championship recognition to Lennox Lewis, on the basis of his victory in an October 31, 1992 "championship eliminator" over Donovan Ruddock.
- Following its withdrawal of recognition from George Foreman, the International Boxing Federation sanctioned a December 9, 1995, match between Francois Botha and Axel Schulz for its championship. Botha won the bout by split decision, but the bout result and Botha's championship title were vacated after Botha's post-fight drug test revealed he had taken illegal anabolic steroids. A subsequent bout between Schulz and Michael Moorer was sanctioned for the IBF championship.
- Upon defeating John Ruiz, Roy Jones Jr. simultaneously held the World Boxing Association's heavyweight and light heavyweight titles. At his request, the WBA suspended its rule prohibiting simultaneous title holding. It later declared Jones its "Champion in Recess," and sanctioned a December 13, 2003, bout between Ruiz and Hasim Rahman for its "interim" championship. Ruiz won the bout. On February 20, 2004, Jones relinquished his heavyweight title to resume boxing as a light heavyweight, at which point Ruiz was elevated to full championship recognition. On April 30, 2005, Ruiz was defeated by James Toney in a championship defense, but post-fight drug testing determined Toney had taken Nandrolone, an anabolic steroid. The bout's result was subsequently changed to a "no contest," whereupon the WBA reinstated Ruiz as champion.
- Following repeated injuries to champion Vitali Klitschko, the World Boxing Council sanctioned an August 13, 2005, bout between Hasim Rahman and Monte Barrett for its "interim" championship. Rahman won the bout, and when Klitschko relinquished his title three months later, the WBC elevated Rahman to full championship recognition.
- Following repeated injuries which prevented him from defending his title, the World Boxing Association designated Chagaev a "Champion in Recess," sanctioning an August 30, 2008, bout between former champions John Ruiz and Nikolai Valuev for its "interim" title; a bout won by Valuev. Upon his recovery however, Chagaev opted to face Wladimir Klitschko rather than Valuev, whereupon the WBA withdrew championship recognition.
- The World Boxing Association modified its championship structure, creating a new "Super Champion" status to be awarded to champions who hold multiple titles simultaneously. Now subordinated to this was the status of "World Champion," commonly referred to as the "Regular" champion. The organization then sanctioned a bout between Povetkin and former champion Ruslan Chagaev for this "regular" title. Povetkin's reign as the WBA's "regular champion" ended upon a loss to "Super Champion" Wladimir Klitschko, at which point the "regular" title was vacant.
- Browne defeated Ruslan Chagaev for the World Boxing Association's "regular" championship title, but Browne subsequently tested positive for Clenbuterol, a banned substance. Following confirmation of the positive result, the WBA withdrew its recognition of Browne's "regular" championship.
- On October 29, 1877, a fight between British fighters Tom Allen and Tompkin Gilbert at the Sadler's Wells Theatre, London was billed as for the World heavyweight title under Marquess of Queensberry Rules. Allen won in seven rounds.
- Bryan was due to fight Manuel Charr on January 29, 2021, for the WBA Regular championship, but Charr was unable to attain the right visa to come to the US, where the fight was to be held. Due to the long period of inactivity, Charr was stripped of the title and Bryan fought Bermane Stiverne for the now vacant title instead.
As of September 25, 2021.
Keys:
- Active title reign
- Reign has ended
- WBO heavyweight title bouts before August 1997 are not included[90]
More information Pos., Name ...
| Pos. | Name | Combined reign | Days as champion | Number of reigns | Title recognition | Cumulative title wins | Opponents beaten |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Wladimir Klitschko | 12 years, 0 months, 0 days | 4 382 | 2 | WBA, IBF, WBO | 25 | 23 |
| 2. | Joe Louis | 11 years, 8 months, 8 days | 4 270 | 1 | NYSAC, NBA | 27 | 22 |
| 3. | Muhammad Ali | 9 years, 5 months, 5 days | 3 443 | 3 | NYSAC, WBA, WBC | 22 | 21 |
| 4. | Lennox Lewis | 8 years, 5 months, 13 days | 3 086 | 3 | WBA, WBC, IBF | 15 | 15 |
| 5. | Vitali Klitschko | 7 years, 5 months, 28 days | 2 735 | 3 | WBC, WBO | 15 | 15 |
| 6. | Larry Holmes | 7 years, 3 months, 12 days | 2 661 | 1 | WBC, IBF | 20 | 20 |
| 7. | Jack Dempsey | 7 years, 2 months, 19 days | 2 638 | 1 | NYSAC, NBA | 6 | 6 |
| 8. | John L. Sullivan | 7 years, 0 months, 10 days | 2 566 | 1 | Universal | 5 | 5 |
| 9. | Jack Johnson | 6 years, 3 months, 11 days | 2 292 | 1 | Universal | 6 | 6 |
| 10. | Evander Holyfield | 6 years, 1 month, 1 day | 2 223 | 4 | WBA, WBC, IBF | 11 | 10 |
| 11. | James J. Jeffries | 5 years, 11 months, 4 days | 2 156 | 1 | Universal | 8 | 6 |
| 12. | Deontay Wilder | 5 years, 1 month, 5 days | 1 859 | 1 | WBC | 10 | 8 |
| 13. | Anthony Joshua | 4 years, 11 months, 17 days | 1 806 | 2 | WBA, IBF, WBO | 9 | 9 |
| 14. | Joe Frazier | 4 years, 10 months, 18 days | 1 785 | 1 | NYSAC, WBA, WBC | 10 | 10 |
| 15. | Floyd Patterson | 4 years, 10 months, 0 days | 1 765 | 2 | NYSAC, NBA | 8 | 7 |
| 16. | James J. Corbett | 4 years, 6 months, 10 days | 1 652 | 1 | Universal | 2 | 2 |
| 17. | Jess Willard | 4 years, 2 months, 29 days | 1 551 | 1 | Universal | 2 | 2 |
| 18. | Chris Byrd | 3 years, 10 months, 22 days | 1 421 | 2 | IBF, WBO | 5 | 5 |
| 19. | Mike Tyson | 3 years, 10 months, 16 days | 1 415 | 2 | WBA, WBC, IBF | 12 | 11 |
| 20. | John Ruiz | 3 years, 9 months, 21 days | 1 390 | 2 | WBA | 4 | 4 |
Close
The list includes The Ring belt. Career total time as champion (for multiple time champions) does not apply.
Keys:
- Active Title Reign
- Reign has ended
- The WBO heavyweight title bouts before August 1997 are not included
More information Pos., Name ...
| Pos. | Name | Title Reign | Title recognition | Successful Defenses | Opponents beaten |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Joe Louis | 11 years, 8 months, 8 days | Universal | 26 | 21 |
| 2. | Wladimir Klitschko | 9 years, 7 months and 6 days | IBF (+WBA, WBO, The Ring) | 18 | 17 |
| 3. | Larry Holmes | 7 years, 3 months, 12 days | WBC-to-IBF (+The Ring) | 19 | 19 |
| 4. | Jack Dempsey | 7 years, 2 months, 19 days | Universal | 5 | 5 |
| 5. | John L. Sullivan | 7 years, 0 months, 9 days | Universal | 5 | 5 |
| 6. | Jack Johnson | 6 years, 3 months, 10 days | Universal | 6 | 6 |
| 7. | Muhammad Ali | 5 years, 11 months, 9 days | The Ring, (+WBA, WBC stripped) | 9 | 9 |
| 8. | James J. Jeffries | 5 years, 11 months, 4 days | Universal | 7 | 6 |
| 9. | Vitali Klitschko | 5 years, 2 months, 4 days | WBC | 9 | 9 |
| 10. | Deontay Wilder | 5 years, 1 month, 5 days | WBC | 10 | 8 |
| 11. | Joe Frazier | 4 years, 10 months, 18 days | NYSAC (+WBA, WBC) | 9 | 9 |
| 12. | James J. Corbett | 4 years, 6 months, 10 days | Universal | 1 | 1 |
| 13. | Jess Willard | 4 years, 2 months, 29 days | Universal | 1 | 1 |
| 14. | Lennox Lewis | 4 years, 2 months, 15 days | WBC (+IBF, WBA stripped, The Ring) | 9 | 8 |
| 15. | Rocky Marciano | 3 years, 11 months, 29 days | Universal | 6 | 5 |
| 16. | Chris Byrd | 3 years, 4 months, 8 days | IBF | 4 | 4 |
| 17. | Mike Tyson | 3 years, 2 months, 20 days | WBC (+WBA, IBF, The Ring) | 9 | 9 |
| 18. | Anthony Joshua | 3 years, 1 month and 23 days | IBF (+WBA, WBO) | 6 | 6 |
| 19. | George Foreman | 3 years, 0 months, 17 days | (+WBA, IBF stripped) | 2 | 2 |
| 20. | Evander Holyfield | 3 years, 0 months, 4 days | WBA (+IBF) | 4 | 4 |
Close
More information Country, Total ...
Close
- World heavyweight boxing championship records and statistics
- List of Olympic medalists in heavyweight boxing
- List of WBA heavyweight world champions
- List of WBA female heavyweight world champions
- List of WBC heavyweight world champions
- List of WBC female heavyweight world champions
- List of IBF heavyweight world champions
- List of IBF female heavyweight world champions
- List of WBO heavyweight world champions
- List of WBO female heavyweight world champions
- List of British world boxing champions
- Florio, John; Shapiro, Ouisie (2013). One Punch from the Promised Land: Leon Spinks, Michael Spinks, and the Myth of the Heavyweight Title. Lyons Press. p. 279. ISBN 978-0-7627-8300-7.
- "The Ring updates championship policy". Ring TV. May 3, 2012.
- "Professional boxing record: John L. Sullivan". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: James J. Corbett". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Bob Fitzsimmons". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: James J. Jeffries". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Marvin Hart". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Tommy Burns". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Jack Johnson". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Jess Willard". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Jack Dempsey". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Gene Tunney". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Max Schmeling". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Jack Sharkey". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Primo Carnera". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Max Baer". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Jim Braddock". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Joe Louis". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Joe Louis, p. 575" (pdf). The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall Of Fame Official Record Book. International Boxing Hall Of Fame. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
Johnny Davis, Ret-World-H
- "Professional boxing record: Ezzard Charles". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Jersey Joe Walcott". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Rocky Marciano". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Floyd Patterson". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Ingemar Johansson". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Sonny Liston". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Muhammad Ali". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Ernie Terrell". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Joe Frazier". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Jimmy Ellis". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: George Foreman". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Leon Spinks". Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Ken Norton". Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Larry Holmes". Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: John Tate". Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Mike Weaver". Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Michael Dokes". Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Gerrie Coetzee". Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Tim Witherspoon". Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Pinklon Thomas". Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Greg Page". Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Tony Tubbs". Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Michael Spinks". Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Trevor Berbick". Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Mike Tyson". Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: James Smith". Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Tony Tucker". Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Francesco Damiani". Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: James Douglas". Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Evander Holyfield". Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Ray Mercer". Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Michael Moorer". Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Riddick Bowe". Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Lennox Lewis". Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Tommy Morrison". Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Michael Bentt". Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Herbie Hide". Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Oliver McCall". Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Bruce Seldon". Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Frank Bruno". Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Henry Akinwande". Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Vitali Klitschko". Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Chris Byrd". Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Wladimir Klitschko". Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: John Ruiz". Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Hasim Rahman". Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Roy Jones Jr". Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Corrie Sanders". Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Lamon Brewster". Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Nikolai Valuev". Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Siarhei Liakhovich". Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Oleg Maskaev". Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Shannon Briggs". Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Ruslan Chagaev". Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Sultan Ibragimov". Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Samuel Peter". Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: David Haye". Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Alexander Povetkin". Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Bermane Stiverne". Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Deontay Wilder". Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Tyson Fury". Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Charles Martin". Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Lucas Browne". Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Anthony Joshua". Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Joseph Parker". Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Manuel Charr". Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Andy Ruiz Jr". Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- "Professional boxing record: Trevor Bryan". Retrieved October 10, 2021.
- "Professional boxing record: Oleksandr Usyk". Retrieved October 10, 2021.
- "Mahmoud Charr Reinstated As WBA 'Regular' Heavyweight Titlist, Ordered To Next Face Jarrell Miller". Retrieved September 3, 2023.
- Several IBHOF inductees’ professional boxing records printed in the organization's official record books indicate that IBHOF did not recognize WBO as a major organization until at least August 23, 1997:
- IBHOF official record book, 1997 edition
- Sugar Ray Leonard's opponent Thomas Hearns, who was defending the WBO super middleweight title against him on 12 June 1989, is not marked as World Champion
- IBHOF official record book, 1999 edition
- Sugar Ray Leonard's opponent Thomas Hearns, who was defending the WBO super middleweight title against him on 12 June 1989, is not marked as World Champion
- IBHOF official record book, 2002 edition
- Sugar Ray Leonard's opponent Thomas Hearns, who was defending the WBO super middleweight title against him on 12 June 1989, is not marked as World Champion
- IBHOF official record book, 2006 edition
- Sugar Ray Leonard's opponent Thomas Hearns, who was defending the WBO super middleweight title against him on 12 June 1989, is not marked as World Champion
- Michael Carbajal's opponent Josue Camacho, who was defending the WBO junior flyweight title against him on 15 July 1994, is not marked as World Champion
- Michael Carbajal's opponent Jorge Arce, who was defending the WBO junior flyweight title against him on 31 July 1999, is marked as World Champion
- IBHOF official record book, 2011 edition
- Sugar Ray Leonard's opponent Thomas Hearns, who was defending the WBO super middleweight title against him on 12 June 1989, is not marked as World Champion
- Michael Carbajal's opponent Josue Camacho, who was defending the WBO junior flyweight title against him on 15 July 1994, is not marked as World Champion
- Ricardo Lopez's opponent Alex Sanchez, who was defending the WBO minimumweight title against him on 23 August 1997, is marked as World Champion
- Michael Carbajal's opponent Jorge Arce, who was defending the WBO junior flyweight title against him on 31 July 1999, is marked as World Champion
- IBHOF official record book, 1997 edition
- Arnold, Peter (1989). Encyclopedia of Boxing. London: WH Smith Books. ISBN 1-85435-200-8.
- Boxing Title Fights
- NBA World Heavyweight Champion - BoxRec
- NYSAC World Heavyweight Champion – BoxRec
- The BoxRec – Boxing's Official Record Keeper
- The BoxRec Wiki Encyclopedia
- The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall Of Fame Official Record Book (archive)