List of world 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
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 again to 200 pounds in 2004 when boxing's major sanctioning bodies universally raised the weight limit at which they'd recognize champions. An effort is presently underway to establish an additional division at approximately 225 pounds, with the International Boxing Organization and World Boxing Council each announcing they would recognize champions in this new, "Super Cruiserweight" class.
The championship of the heavyweight division has been fractured or disputed at various times in its history. Until the 1960's, such disputes were settled in the ring, typically with alternate title claimants largely being forgotten. The rise of sanctioning organizations, however, has produced an environment where typically there is no single "Heavyweight Champion of the World," with titleholders recognized by one of these organizations (a "World Champion") or more (a "Super Champion," "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 due 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 due to 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 defeated in 1970. 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 not only be unable to secure recognition from multiple sanctioning bodies, but to secure sole recognition from a single one.
Championship recognition
Public Acclamation: 1884 to 1921
Champions were recognized by wide public acclamation. A heavyweight champion was a boxer who had a notable win over another notable boxer, and who then went without defeat. Retirements from the ring periodically led to a "true" champion going unrecognized, or for several to be recognized by the public for periods of time. Typically, public interest in having a single, "true" champion resulted in any claimants to the heavyweight title being matched with one another; the winner of that bout was subsequently deemed the champion, with the claim (and title lineage) of the defeated boxer largely forgotten.
Sanctioning Bodies: 1921 to present
The National Boxing Association was formed in 1921 as the first organization aimed at regulating boxing on a national, and later global level. The prominence of New York as the epicenter of boxing would lead to a governmental entity, the powerful New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC), to join the NBA in sanctioning bouts as "world championships." A third entity with lesser public recognition, the European Boxing Union, would follow suit, with this triumvirate typically (but not always) recognizing the same boxers as world champions.
At its 1962 convention the NBA's non-U.S. members exploited a membership rule and took control of the organization. Rebranding it the World Boxing Association, the now-WBA would be joined a year later by a combination of state and national boxing commissions (including the NYSAC and IBU) to form a separate sanctioning body, the World Boxing Council. Each organization would later have a spin-off competing sanctioning body emerge: the International Boxing Federation (IBF), which was formed by members of the United States Boxing Association in 1983; and the World Boxing Organization (WBO), which was formed in 1989. A fifth significant, but not as publicly accepted, body came in the form of the International Boxing Organization (IBO) in 1991; and today there are over a dozen sanctioning organizations, of varying degrees of public acceptance, sanctioning bouts as for a world championship and proclaiming their winners as "Heavyweight Champion of the World."
The Ring: 1922 to present
From its outset until the 1990s, and again since 2002, The Ring has recognized heavyweight champions. Under its original policy a champion won the title either by defeating a recognized champion or winning a bout between the magazine's top-rated contenders. Once recognized as champion, championship recognition could be lost only by death, retirement, or loss. In 2012 these policies were revised so that a champion could be more readily recognized, and expanding the means by which championship recognition could be withdrawn (specifically, by not scheduling a fight with a top five rated contender for two years, or any bout at all for 18 months).[1]
Current status of prominent championship titles
WBA world championship
WBC world championship
IBF world championship
WBO world championship
The Ring world championship
The World Boxing Association presently recognizes up to five distinct 'types' of champion in its weight divisions: a 'Super' Champion (one who holds the WBA title along with that of at least one other widely recognized sanctioning body), a 'Regular' Champion (one who holds the WBA title alone), an 'Interim' Champion (one who, ostensibly, holds the title during a period of illness or injury to a 'Super' or 'Regular' titleholder), a 'Champion in Recess' (a champion who retains some form of championship recognition, but for reasons beyond their own control are presently inactive), and a 'Gold' Champion (a designation which not even the organization's governing documents explain). The current status of these titles is as follows:
| Championship Status | Title Holder | Recognized Since | How Title Acquired | Next Scheduled Defense or Defense Obligation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Champion | Anthony Joshua | December 7, 2019 | Defeated Andy Ruiz Jr. | No defense formalized. |
| Regular Champion | Trevor Bryan | January 29, 2021 | Defeated Bermane Stiverne for vacant title | Obligated to face Mahmoud Manuel Charr by May 30, 2021. |
| Champion in Recess | Mahmoud Charr | January 29, 2021 | Reclassified from 'Regular Champion' status | Obligated to face Trevor Bryan by May 30, 2021. |
| Interim Champion | vacant | January 29, 2021 | Last held by Trevor Bryan | No present plan for filling vacancy. |
| Gold Champion | Robert Helenius | September 28, 2018 | Defeated Erkan Teper | No information available. |
The World Boxing Council presently recognizes up to six distinct 'types' of champion in its weight divisions: a 'Franchise' Champion (one who holds the WBC title along with that of at least one other widely recognized sanctioning body; a distinction it has thus far only awarded once), a 'World' Champion (ostensibly one who holds the WBC title alone, but to date no unified champions in the heavyweight division have been attributed the 'Franchise' Champion status), an 'Interim' Champion (one who, ostensibly, holds the title during a period of illness or injury to the 'World' Champion), a 'Champion in Recess (a champion who retains some form of championship recognition, but who are presently inactive), and a 'Silver' Champion (a designation which has no clear distinction, but which nevertheless is recognized as a world championship-level title). The WBC also recognizes a 'Diamond' Champion in its divisions, but this title is apparently not afforded similar status as the other types. The current status of these titles is as follows:
| Championship Status | Title Holder | Recognized Since | How Title Acquired | Next Scheduled Defense or Defense Obligation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franchise Champion | vacant | Never awarded | No information available. | |
| World Champion | Tyson Fury | February 22, 2020 | Defeated Deontay Wilder | No defense formalized. |
| Champion in Recess | vacant | Last held by Ruslan Chagaev | ||
| Interim Champion | Alexander Povetkin | August 22, 2020 | Defeated Dillian Whyte | March 6, 2021, vs. Dillian Whyte. |
| Silver Champion | Joe Joyce | November 28, 2020 | Defeated Daniel DuBois | No defense formalized. |
International Boxing Federation
The International Boxing Federation recognizes but a single champion in the heavyweight division.
- Anthony Joshua is recognized as the organization's world champion. He earned this distinction by defeating Andy Ruiz Jr. on December 7, 2019. Presently no defense of this title is scheduled, though there are talks of a unification bout with Tyson Fury that are currently ongoing.
International Boxing Organization
The International Boxing Organization recognizes but a single champion in each of its weight divisions.
- Anthony Joshua is recognized as the organization's world champion. He earned this distinction by defeating Andy Ruiz Jr. on December 7, 2019. Presently no defense of this title is scheduled, though there are talks of a unification bout with Tyson Fury that are currently ongoing.
The World Boxing Organization recognizes up to three distinct 'types' of champion in its weight divisions: a 'Super' Champion (one who holds the WBO title along with that of at least one other widely recognized sanctioning body), a 'World' Champion (though unlike the WBA, if a WBO 'Super' Champion exists a separate 'World' Champion is not simultaneously recognized), and an 'Interim' Champion (one who holds the title during a period of illness or injury to the 'Super' or 'World' Champion). At present however, there is a single titleholder: Anthony Joshua, who is officially recognized as its 'Super' Champion after defeating Andy Ruiz Jr. on December 7, 2019. No defense of this title has been formalized. The Ring
- Tyson Fury is recognized as the organization's world champion. He earned this distinction by defeating Deontay Wilder on February 22, 2020. Presently no defense of this title is scheduled, though there are talks of a unification bout with Anthony Joshua that are currently ongoing.
List of champions
| No. | Champion | Nationality | Recognition | Reign Began | Reign Ended | Title defenses | Additional recognition | Notes | Source(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John L. Sullivan def. Dominick McCaffrey |  United States | Universal | August 29, 1885 | September 7, 1892 | - | 25,4 | [2] | |
| 2 | James J. Corbett | United States | Universal | September 7, 1892 | March 17, 1897 | def. Charley Mitchell on Jan 25, 1894 | 5 | [3] | |
| 3 | Bob Fitzsimmons |  United Kingdom | Universal | March 17, 1897 | June 9, 1899 | - | [4] | ||
| 4 | James J. Jeffries | United States | Universal | June 9, 1899 | May 13, 1905 | def. Tom Sharkey on Mar 11, 1899 def. John Finnegan on April 6, 1900 def. James J. Corbett on May 11, 1900 def. Gus Ruhlin on Nov 15, 1901 def. Bob Fitzsimmons on Jul 25, 1902 def. James J. Corbett on Aug 14, 1903 def. Jack Munroe on Aug 26, 1904 | 2,6 | [5] | |
| 5 | Marvin Hart def. Jack Root | United States | Universal | July 3, 1905 | February 23, 1906 | - | 1 | [6] | |
| 6 | Tommy Burns | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Canada | Universal | February 23, 1906 | December 26, 1908 | def. James J. Walker on Mar 28, 1906 def. Jim O'Brien on Mar 28, 1906 def. Fireman Jim Flynn on Oct 2, 1906 draw vs. Philadelphia Jack O'Brien on Nov 28, 1906 def. Philadelphia Jack O'Brien on May 8, 1907 def. Bill Squires on Jul 4, 1907 def. Gunner Moir on Dec 2, 1907 def. Jack Palmer on Feb 10, 1908 def. Jem Roche on Mar 17, 1908 def. Jewey Smith on April 18, 1908 def. Bill Squires on Jun 13, 1908 def. Bill Squires on Aug 24, 1908 def. Bill Lang on Sept 3, 1908 | [7] | ||
| 7 | Jack Johnson | United States | Universal | December 26, 1908 | April 5, 1915 | def. Al Kaufman on Sept 9, 1909 def. Stanley Ketchel on Oct 16, 1909 def. James J. Jeffries on Jul 4, 1910 def. Fireman Jim Flynn on Jul 4, 1912 draw vs. Battling Jim Johnson on Dec 19, 1913 def. Frank Moran on Jun 27, 1914 | 7 | [8] | |
| 8 | Jess Willard | United States | Universal | April 5, 1915 | July 4, 1919 | def. Frank Moran on Mar 25, 1916 | [9] | ||
| 9 | Jack Dempsey | United States | Universal | July 4, 1919 | July 2, 1921 | def. Billy Miske on Sept 6, 1920 def. Bill Brennan on Dec 14, 1920 def. Georges Carpentier on Jul 2, 1921 | The Ring awarded the title in 1922 | [10] | |
| NBA | July 2, 1921 | July 24, 1922 | - | [10] | |||||
| NBA, and NYSAC | July 24, 1922 | September 23, 1926 | def. Tommy Gibbons on Jul 4, 1923 def. Luis Angel Firpo on Sept 14, 1923 | [10] | |||||
| 10 | Gene Tunney | United States | NBA, and NYSAC | September 23, 1926 | July 31, 1928 | def. Jack Dempsey on Sept 22, 1927 def. Tom Heeney on Jul 26, 1928 | The Ring | 2 | [11] |
| 11 | Max Schmeling def. Jack Sharkey |  Germany | NBA, and NYSAC | June 12, 1930 | January 7, 1931 | - | The Ring | 1,8 | [12] |
| NBA, and IBU | January 7, 1931 | June 21, 1932 | def. Young Stribling on Jul 3, 1931 | 1,10 | [12] | ||||
| 12 | Jack Sharkey | United States | NBA, NYSAC, and IBU | June 21, 1932 | June 29, 1933 | - | The Ring | [13] | |
| 13 | Primo Carnera | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Italy | NBA, NYSAC, and IBU | June 29, 1933 | June 14, 1934 | def. Paulino Uzcudun on Oct 22, 1933 def. Tommy Loughran on Mar 1, 1934 | The Ring | 1,10 | [14] |
| 14 | Max Baer | United States | NBA, NYSAC, and IBU | June 14, 1934 | June 13, 1935 | - | The Ring | 9 | [15] |
| 15 | James J. Braddock | United States | NBA, NYSAC, and IBU | June 13, 1935 | June 22, 1937 | - | The Ring | [16] | |
| 16 | Joe Louis | United States | NBA, NYSAC, and IBU | June 22, 1937 | March 1, 1949 | def. Tommy Farr on Aug 30, 1937 def. Nathan Mann on Feb 23, 1938 def. Harry Thomas on April 4, 1938 def. Max Schmeling on Jun 22, 1938 def. John Henry Lewis on Jan 25, 1939 def. Jack Roper on April 17, 1939 def. Tony Galento on Jun 28, 1939 def. Bob Pastor on Sep 20, 1939 def. Arturo Godoy on Feb 9, 1940 def. Johnny Paychek on Mar 29, 1940 def. Arturo Godoy on Jun 20, 1940 def. Al McCoy on Dec 16, 1940 def. Red Burman on Jan 31, 1941 def. Gus Dorazio on Feb 17, 1941 def. Abe Simon on Mar 21, 1941 def. Tony Musto on April 8, 1941 def. Buddy Baer on May 23, 1941 def. Billy Conn on Jun 18, 1941 def. Lou Nova on Sep 29, 1941 def. Buddy Baer on Jan 9, 1942 def. Abe Simon on Mar 27, 1942 def. Johnny Davis on Nov 14, 1944 def. Billy Conn on Jun 19, 1946 def. Tami Mauriello on Sep 18, 1946 def. Jersey Joe Walcott on Dec 5, 1947 def. Jersey Joe Walcott on Jun 25, 1948 | The Ring | 2 | [17][18] |
| 17 | Ezzard Charles def. Jersey Joe Walcott | United States | NBA | June 22, 1949 | September 27, 1950 | def. Gus Lesnevich on Aug 10, 1949 def. Pat Valentino on Oct 14, 1949 def. Freddie Beshore on Aug 15, 1950 def. Joe Louis on Sep 27, 1950 | The Ring | 1,10 | [19] |
| NBA, and NYSAC | September 27, 1950 | June 16, 1951 | def. Nick Barone on Dec 5, 1950 def. Lee Oma on Jan 12, 1951 def. Jersey Joe Walcott on Mar 7, 1951 def. Joey Maxim on May 30, 1951 | 1,10 | [19] | ||||
| NBA, NYSAC, and IBU | June 16, 1951 | July 18, 1951 | - | [19] | |||||
| 18 | Jersey Joe Walcott | United States | NBA, and NYSAC | July 18, 1951 | September 23, 1952 | def. Ezzard Charles on Jun 5, 1952 | The Ring | [20] | |
| 19 | Rocky Marciano | United States | NBA, and NYSAC | September 23, 1952 | April 27, 1956 | def. Jersey Joe Walcott on Mar 15, 1953 def. Roland LaStarza on Sept 24, 1953 def. Ezzard Charles on Jun 17, 1954 def. Ezzard Charles on Sept 17, 1954 def. Don Cockell on May 16, 1955 def. Archie Moore on Sept 21, 1955 | The Ring | 2 | [21] |
| 20 | Floyd Patterson def. Archie Moore | United States | NBA, and NYSAC | November 30, 1956 | June 26, 1959 | def. Tommy Jackson on Jul 29, 1957 def. Pete Rademacher on Aug 22, 1957 def. Roy Harris on Aug 18, 1958 def. Brian London on May 1, 1959 | The Ring | 1,11 | [22] |
| 21 | Ingemar Johansson |  Sweden | NBA, and NYSAC | June 26, 1959 | June 20, 1960 | - | The Ring | [23] | |
| 22 | Floyd Patterson (Second reign) | United States | NBA, and NYSAC | June 20, 1960 | September 25, 1962 | def. Ingemar Johansson on Mar 13, 1961 def. Tom McNeeley on Dec 4, 1961 | The Ring | [22] | |
| 23 | Sonny Liston | United States | NYSAC, and WBA | September 25, 1962 | July 22, 1963 | def. Floyd Patterson on Jul 22, 1963 | The Ring | [24] | |
| NYSAC, WBA, and WBC | July 22, 1963 | February 25, 1964 | - | [24] | |||||
| 24 | Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) | United States | NYSAC, WBA, and WBC | February 25, 1964 | June 19, 1964 | - | The Ring | 12 | [25] |
| NYSAC, and WBC | June 19, 1964 | February 6, 1967 | def. Sonny Liston on May 25, 1965 def. Floyd Patterson on Nov 22, 1965 def. George Chuvalo on Mar 29, 1966 def. Henry Cooper on May 21, 1966 def. Brian London on Aug 6, 1966 def. Karl Mildenberger on Sep 10, 1966 def. Cleveland Williams on Nov 14, 1966 def. Ernie Terrell on Feb 6, 1967 | [25] | |||||
| NYSAC, WBA, and WBC | February 6, 1967 | April 29, 1967 | def. Zora Folley on Mar 22, 1967 | 13 | [25] | ||||
| 25 | Ernie Terrell def. Eddie Machen | United States | WBA | March 5, 1965 | February 6, 1967 | def. George Chuvalo on Nov 1, 1965 def. Doug Jones on Jun 28, 1966 | - | 1 | [26] |
| 26 | Joe Frazier def. Buster Mathis | United States | NYSAC | March 4, 1968 | February 16, 1970 | def. Manuel Ramos on Jun 24, 1968 def. Oscar Bonavena on Dec 10, 1968 def. Dave Zyglewicz on Apr 22, 1969 def. Jerry Quarry on Jun 23, 1969 def. Jimmy Ellis on Feb 16, 1970 | The Ring def. Muhammad Ali on Mar 8, 1971 | 1 | [27] |
| WBA, and WBC | February 16, 1970 | January 22, 1973 | def. Bob Foster on Nov 18, 1970 def. Muhammad Ali on Mar 8, 1971 def. Terry Daniels on Jan 15, 1972 def. Ron Stander on May 25, 1972 | 15 | [27] | ||||
| 27 | Jimmy Ellis def. Jerry Quarry | United States | WBA | April 27, 1968 | February 16, 1970 | def. Floyd Patterson on Sep 14, 1968 | - | 1,14 | [28] |
| 28 | George Foreman | United States | WBA, and WBC | January 22, 1973 | October 30, 1974 | def. José Roman on Sep 1, 1973 def. Ken Norton on Mar 26, 1974 | The Ring | 1,10 | [29] |
| 29 | Muhammad Ali (Second reign) | United States | WBA, and WBC | October 30, 1974 | February 15, 1978 | def. Chuck Wepner on Mar 24, 1975 def. Ron Lyle on May 16, 1975 def. Joe Bugner on Jun 30, 1975 def. Joe Frazier on Oct 1, 1975 def. Jean-Pierre Coopman on Feb 20, 1976 def. Jimmy Young on Apr 30, 1976 def. Richard Dunn on May 24, 1976 def. Ken Norton on Sep 28, 1976 def. Alfredo Evangelista on May 16, 1977 def. Earnie Shavers on Sep 29, 1977 | The Ring | [25] | |
| 30 | Leon Spinks | United States | WBA, and WBC | February 15, 1978 | March 18, 1978 | - | The Ring | 3 | [30] |
| WBA | March 18, 1978 | September 15, 1978 | - | [30] | |||||
| 31 | Ken Norton awarded the title | United States | WBC | March 18, 1978 | June 9, 1978 | - | - | 16 | [31] |
| 32 | Larry Holmes | United States | WBC | June 9, 1978 | December 11, 1983 | def. Alfredo Evangelista on Nov 10, 1978 def. Ossie Ocasio on Mar 23, 1979 def. Mike Weaver on Jun 22, 1979 def. Earnie Shavers on Sep 28, 1979 def. Lorenzo Zanon on Feb 3, 1980 def. Leroy Jones on Mar 31, 1980 def. Scott LeDoux on Jul 7, 1980 def. Muhammad Ali on Oct 2, 1980 def. Trevor Berbick on Apr 11, 1981 def. Leon Spinks on Jun 12, 1981 def. Renaldo Snipes on Nov 6, 1981 def. Gerry Cooney on Jun 11, 1982 def. Randall "Tex" Cobb on Nov 26, 1982 def. Lucien Rodriguez on Mar 27, 1983 def. Tim Witherspoon on May 20, 1983 def. Scott Frank on Sep 10, 1983 | The Ring def. Muhammad Ali on Oct 2, 1980 | 2 | [32] |
| IBF | December 11, 1983 | September 21, 1985 | def. James Smith on Nov 9, 1984 def. David Bey on Mar 15, 1985 def. Carl Williams on May 20, 1985 | 17 | [32] | ||||
| 33 | Muhammad Ali (Third reign) | United States | WBA | September 15, 1978 | October 18, 1979 | - | The Ring | 2 | [25] |
| 34 | John Tate def. Gerrie Coetzee | United States | WBA | October 20, 1979 | March 31, 1980 | - | - | 1 | [33] |
| 35 | Mike Weaver | United States | WBA | March 31, 1980 | December 10, 1982 | def. Gerrie Coetzee on Oct 25, 1980 def. James Tillis on Oct 3, 1981 | - | [34] | |
| 36 | Michael Dokes | United States | WBA | December 10, 1982 | September 23, 1983 | draw vs. Mike Weaver on May 20, 1983 | - | [35] | |
| 37 | Gerrie Coetzee | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} South Africa | WBA | September 23, 1983 | December 1, 1984 | - | - | [36] | |
| 38 | Tim Witherspoon def. Greg Page | United States | WBC | March 9, 1984 | August 31, 1984 | - | - | 1 | [37] |
| 39 | Pinklon Thomas | United States | WBC | August 31, 1984 | March 22, 1986 | def. Mike Weaver on Jun 15, 1985 | - | [38] | |
| 40 | Greg Page | United States | WBA | December 1, 1984 | April 29, 1985 | - | - | [39] | |
| 41 | Tony Tubbs | United States | WBA | April 29, 1985 | January 17, 1986 | - | - | [40] | |
| 42 | Michael Spinks | United States | IBF | September 21, 1985 | February 19, 1987 | def. Larry Holmes on Apr 19, 1986 def. Steffen Tangstad on Sep 6, 1986 | The Ring | 3 | [41] |
| 43 | Tim Witherspoon (Second reign) | United States | WBA | January 17, 1986 | December 12, 1986 | def. Frank Bruno on Jul 19, 1986 | - | [37] | |
| 44 | Trevor Berbick |  Jamaica.svg.png.webp){kind=small} Canada | WBC | March 22, 1986 | November 22, 1986 | - | - | [42] | |
| 45 | Mike Tyson | United States | WBC | November 22, 1986 | March 7, 1987 | def. James Smith on Mar 7, 1987 | The Ring def. Michael Spinks on Jun 27, 1988 | [43] | |
| WBA, and WBC | March 7, 1987 | August 1, 1987 | def. Pinklon Thomas on May 30, 1987 def. Tony Tucker on Aug 1, 1987 | [43] | |||||
| WBA, WBC, and IBF | August 1, 1987 | February 11, 1990 | def. Tyrell Biggs on Oct 16, 1987 def. Larry Holmes on Jan 22, 1988 def. Tony Tubbs on Mar 21, 1988 def. Michael Spinks on Jun 27, 1988 def. Frank Bruno on Feb 25, 1989 def. Carl Williams on Jul 21, 1989 | [43] | |||||
| 46 | James "Bonecrusher" Smith | United States | WBA | December 12, 1986 | March 7, 1987 | - | - | [44] | |
| 47 | Tony Tucker def. Buster Douglas | United States | IBF | May 30, 1987 | August 1, 1987 | - | - | 1 | [45] |
| 48 | Francesco Damiani def. Johnny du Plooy |  Italy | WBO | May 6, 1989 | January 11, 1991 | def. Daniel Eduardo Neto on Dec 16, 1989 | - | 1 | [46] |
| 49 | James "Buster" Douglas | United States | WBA, WBC, and IBF | February 11, 1990 | October 25, 1990 | - | [47] | ||
| 50 | Evander Holyfield | United States | WBA, WBC, and IBF | October 25, 1990 | November 13, 1992 | def. George Foreman on Apr 19, 1991 def. Bert Cooper on Nov 23, 1991 def. Larry Holmes on Jun 19, 1992 | - | [48] | |
| 51 | Ray Mercer | United States | WBO | January 11, 1991 | December 24, 1991 | def. Tommy Morrison on Oct 18, 1991 | - | 3 | [49] |
| 52 | Michael Moorer def. Bert Cooper | United States | WBO | May 15, 1992 | February 3, 1993 | - | - | 1,2 | [50] |
| 53 | Riddick Bowe | United States | WBA, WBC, and IBF | November 13, 1992 | December 14, 1992 | - | - | 2 | [51] |
| WBA, and IBF | December 14, 1992 | November 6, 1993 | def. Michael Dokes on Feb 6, 1993 def. Jesse Ferguson on May 22, 1993 | - | [51] | ||||
| 54 | Lennox Lewis awarded the title | United Kingdom Canada | WBC | December 14, 1992 | September 24, 1994 | def. Tony Tucker on May 8, 1993 def. Frank Bruno on Oct 1, 1993 def. Phil Jackson on May 6, 1994 | - | 18 | [52] |
| 55 | Tommy Morrison def. George Foreman | United States | WBO | June 7, 1993 | October 29, 1993 | def. Tim Tomashek on Aug 30, 1993 | - | 1 | [53] |
| 56 | Michael Bentt | United Kingdom United States | WBO | October 29, 1993 | March 19, 1994 | - | - | [54] | |
| 57 | Evander Holyfield (Second reign) | United States | WBA, and IBF | November 6, 1993 | April 22, 1994 | - | - | [48] | |
| 58 | Herbie Hide | United Kingdom | WBO | March 19, 1994 | March 11, 1995 | - | - | [55] | |
| 59 | Michael Moorer (Second reign) | United States | WBA, and IBF | April 22, 1994 | November 5, 1994 | - | [50] | ||
| 60 | Oliver McCall | United States | WBC | September 24, 1994 | September 2, 1995 | def. Larry Holmes on Apr 8, 1995 | - | [56] | |
| 61 | George Foreman (Second reign) | United States | WBA, and IBF | November 5, 1994 | March 4, 1995 | - | - | 3 | [29] |
| IBF | March 4, 1995 | June 28, 1995 | def. Axel Schulz on Apr 22, 1995 | 2 | [29] | ||||
| 62 | Riddick Bowe (Second reign) | United States | WBO | March 11, 1995 | May 1, 1996 | def. Jorge Luis Gonzalez on Jun 17, 1995 | - | 3 | [51] |
| 63 | Bruce Seldon def. Tony Tucker | United States | WBA | April 8, 1995 | September 7, 1996 | def. Joe Hipp on Aug 19, 1995 | - | 1 | [57] |
| 64 | Frank Bruno | United Kingdom | WBC | September 2, 1995 | March 16, 1996 | - | - | [58] | |
| 65 | Mike Tyson (Second reign) | United States | WBC | March 16, 1996 | September 7, 1996 | - | - | [43] | |
| WBA, and WBC | September 7, 1996 | September 24, 1996 | - | - | 2 | [43] | |||
| WBA | September 24, 1996 | November 9, 1996 | - | - | [43] | ||||
| 66 | Michael Moorer (Third reign) def. Axel Schulz | United States | IBF | June 22, 1996 | November 8, 1997 | def. Francois Botha on Nov 9, 1996 def. Vaughn Bean on Mar 29, 1997 | - | 1,19 | [50] |
| 67 | Henry Akinwande def. Jeremy Williams | United Kingdom | WBO | June 29, 1996 | February 17, 1997 | def. Alexander Zolkin on Nov 9, 1996 def. Scott Welch on Jan 11, 1997 | - | 1,2 | [59] |
| 68 | Evander Holyfield (Third reign) | United States | WBA | November 9, 1996 | November 8, 1997 | def. Mike Tyson on Jun 28, 1997 def. Michael Moorer on Nov 8, 1997 | - | [48] | |
| WBA, and IBF | November 8, 1997 | November 13, 1999 | def. Vaughn Bean on Sep 19, 1998 draw vs. Lennox Lewis on Mar 13, 1999 | - | [48] | ||||
| 69 | Lennox Lewis (Second reign) def. Oliver McCall | United Kingdom Canada | WBC | February 7, 1997 | November 13, 1999 | def. Henry Akinwande on Jul 12, 1997 def. Andrzej Golota on Oct 4, 1997 def. Shannon Briggs on Mar 28, 1998 def. Željko Mavrović on Sep 26, 1998 draw vs. Evander Holyfield on Mar 13, 1999 def. Evander Holyfield on Nov 13, 1999 | - | 1 | [52] |
| WBA, WBC, and IBF | November 13, 1999 | April 29, 2000 | - | - | 3 | [52] | |||
| WBC, and IBF | April 29, 2000 | April 22, 2001 | def. Michael Grant on Apr 29, 2000 def. Francois Botha on Jul 15, 2000 def. David Tua on Nov 11, 2000 | - | [52] | ||||
| 70 | Herbie Hide (Second reign) def. Tony Tucker | United Kingdom | WBO | June 28, 1997 | June 26, 1999 | def. Damon Reed on Apr 18, 1998 def. Wilhelm Fischer on Sep 26, 1998 | - | 1 | [55] |
| 71 | Vitali Klitschko |  Ukraine | WBO | June 26, 1999 | April 1, 2000 | def. Ed Mahone on Oct 9, 1999 def. Obed Sullivan on Dec 11, 1999 | - | [60] | |
| 72 | Chris Byrd | United States | WBO | April 1, 2000 | October 14, 2000 | - | - | [61] | |
| 73 | Evander Holyfield (Fourth reign) def. John Ruiz | United States | WBA | August 12, 2000 | March 3, 2001 | - | - | 1 | [48] |
| 74 | Wladimir Klitschko | Ukraine | WBO | October 14, 2000 | March 8, 2003 | def. Derrick Jefferson on Mar 24, 2001 def. Charles Shufford on Aug 4, 2001 def. Francois Botha on Mar 16, 2002 def. Ray Mercer on Jun 29, 2002 def. Jameel McCline on Dec 7, 2002 | - | [62] | |
| 75 | John Ruiz | United States | WBA | March 3, 2001 | March 1, 2003 | draw vs. Evander Holyfield on Dec 15, 2001 def. Kirk Johnson on Jul 27, 2002 | - | [63] | |
| 76 | Hasim Rahman | United States | WBC, and IBF | April 22, 2001 | November 17, 2001 | - | - | [64] | |
| 77 | Lennox Lewis (Third reign) | United Kingdom Canada | WBC, and IBF | November 17, 2001 | September 5, 2002 | def. Mike Tyson on Jun 8, 2002 | The Ring awarded the title in 2002 | 2 | [52] |
| WBC | September 5, 2002 | February 6, 2004 | def. Vitali Klitschko on Jun 21, 2003 | 2 | [52] | ||||
| 78 | Chris Byrd (Second reign) def. Evander Holyfield | United States | IBF | December 14, 2002 | April 22, 2006 | def. Fres Oquendo on Sep 20, 2003 draw vs. Andrzej Golota on Apr 17, 2004 def. Jameel McCline on Nov 13, 2004 def. DaVarryl Williamson on Oct 1, 2005 | - | 1 | [61] |
| 79 | Roy Jones Jr. | United States | WBA | March 1, 2003 | February 20, 2004 | - | - | 2 | [65] |
| 80 | Corrie Sanders |  South Africa | WBO | March 8, 2003 | October 9, 2003 | - | - | 2 | [66] |
| 81 | John Ruiz (Second reign) def. Hasim Rahman for interim title | United States | WBA | February 20, 2004 | December 17, 2005 | def. Fres Oquendo on Apr 17, 2004 def. Andrzej Golota on Nov 13, 2004 | - | 20 | [63] |
| 82 | Lamon Brewster def. Wladimir Klitschko | United States | WBO | April 10, 2004 | April 1, 2006 | def. Kali Meehan on Sep 4, 2004 def. Andrzej Golota on May 21, 2005 def. Luan Krasniqi on Sep 28, 2005 | - | 1 | [67] |
| 83 | Vitali Klitschko (Second reign) def. Corrie Sanders | Ukraine | WBC | April 24, 2004 | November 9, 2005 | def. Danny Williams on Dec 11, 2004 | The Ring | 1,2 | [60] |
| 84 | Hasim Rahman (Second reign) def. Monte Barrett for interim title | United States | WBC | November 9, 2005 | August 12, 2006 | draw vs. James Toney on Mar 18, 2006 | - | 21 | [64] |
| 85 | Nikolai Valuev |  Russia | WBA | December 17, 2005 | April 14, 2007 | def. Owen Beck on Jun 3, 2006 def. Monte Barrett on Oct 7, 2006 def. Jameel McCline on Jan 20, 2007 | - | 1,10 | [68] |
| 86 | Siarhei Liakhovich |  Belarus | WBO | April 1, 2006 | November 4, 2006 | - | - | [69] | |
| 87 | Wladimir Klitschko (Second reign) | Ukraine | IBF | April 22, 2006 | February 23, 2008 | def. Calvin Brock on Nov 11, 2006 def. Ray Austin on Mar 10, 2007 def. Lamon Brewster on Jul 7, 2007 def. Sultan Ibragimov on Feb 23, 2008 | The Ring def. Ruslan Chagaev on Jun 20, 2009 | [62] | |
| IBF, and WBO | February 23, 2008 | July 2, 2011 | def. Tony Thompson on Jul 12, 2008 def. Hasim Rahman on Dec 13, 2008 def. Ruslan Chagaev on Jun 20, 2009 def. Eddie Chambers on Mar 20, 2010 def. Samuel Peter on Sep 11, 2010 def. David Haye on Jul 2, 2011 | [62] | |||||
| WBA (Super), IBF, and WBO | July 2, 2011 | November 28, 2015 | def. Jean-Marc Mormeck on Mar 13, 2012 def. Tony Thompson on Jul 7, 2012 def. Mariusz Wach on Nov 10, 2012 def. Francesco Pianeta on May 4, 2013 def. Alexander Povetkin on Oct 5, 2013 def. Alex Leapai on Apr 26, 2014 def. Kubrat Pulev on Nov 15, 2014 def. Bryant Jennings on Apr 25, 2015 | [62] | |||||
| 88 | Oleg Maskaev | United States | WBC | August 12, 2006 | December 9, 2006 | - | - | [70][71] | |
| Russia | December 9, 2006 | March 8, 2008 | def. Okello Peter on Dec 10, 2006 | - | |||||
| 89 | Shannon Briggs | United States | WBO | November 4, 2006 | June 2, 2007 | - | - | [72] | |
| 90 | Ruslan Chagaev |  Uzbekistan | WBA | April 14, 2007 | June 20, 2009 | def. Matt Skelton on Jan 19, 2008 def. Carl Davis Drumond on Feb 7, 2009 | - | 22 | [73] |
| 91 | Sultan Ibragimov | Russia | WBO | June 2, 2007 | February 23, 2008 | def. Evander Holyfield on Oct 13, 2007 | - | [74] | |
| 92 | Samuel Peter |  Nigeria | WBC | March 8, 2008 | October 11, 2008 | - | - | [75] | |
| 93 | Nikolai Valuev (Second reign) def. John Ruiz | Russia | WBA | August 30, 2008 | November 7, 2009 | def. Evander Holyfield on Dec 20, 2008 | - | 1,22 | [68] |
| 94 | Vitali Klitschko (Third reign) | Ukraine | WBC | October 11, 2008 | December 15, 2013 | def. Juan Carlos Gomez on Mar 21, 2009 def. Chris Arreola on Sep 26, 2009 def. Kevin Johnson on Dec 12, 2009 def. Albert Sosnowski on May 29, 2010 def. Shannon Briggs on Oct 16, 2010 def. Odlanier Solís on Mar 19, 2011 def. Tomasz Adamek on Sep 10, 2011 def. Derek Chisora on Feb 18, 2012 def. Manuel Charr on Sep 8, 2012 | - | 2 | [60] |
| 95 | David Haye | United Kingdom | WBA | November 7, 2009 | July 2, 2011 | def. John Ruiz on Apr 3, 2010 def. Audley Harrison on Nov 13, 2010 | - | [76] | |
| - | Alexander Povetkin def. Ruslan Chagaev | Russia | WBA (Regular) | August 27, 2011 | October 5, 2013 | def. Cedric Boswell on Dec 3, 2011 def. Marco Huck on Feb 25, 2012 def. Hasim Rahman on Sep 29, 2012 def. Andrzej Wawrzyk on May 17, 2013 | - | 1,23 | [77] |
| 96 | Bermane Stiverne def. Chris Arreola | Canada | WBC | May 10, 2014 | January 17, 2015 | - | - | 1 | [78] |
| - | Ruslan Chagaev def. Fres Oquendo | Uzbekistan | WBA (Regular) | July 6, 2014 | March 5, 2016 | def. Francesco Pianeta on Jul 11, 2015 | - | 1 | [73] |
| 97 | Deontay Wilder | United States | WBC | January 17, 2015 | February 22, 2020 | def. Eric Molina on Jun 13, 2015 def. Johann Duhaupas on Sep 26, 2015 def. Artur Szpilka on Jan 16, 2016 def. Chris Arreola on Jul 16, 2016 def. Gerald Washington on Feb 25, 2017 def. Bermane Stiverne on Nov 4, 2017 def. Luis Ortiz on Mar 3, 2018 draw vs. Tyson Fury on Dec 1, 2018 def. Dominic Breazeale on May 18, 2019 def. Luis Ortiz on Nov 23, 2019 | - | [79] | |
| 98 | Tyson Fury | United Kingdom | WBA (Super), IBF, and WBO | November 28, 2015 | December 8, 2015 | - | The Ring | 3 | [80] |
| WBA (Super), and WBO | December 8, 2015 | October 12, 2016 | - | 2 | [80] | ||||
| 99 | Charles Martin def. Vyacheslav Glazkov | United States | IBF | January 16, 2016 | April 9, 2016 | - | - | 1 | [81] |
| - | Lucas Browne | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Australia | WBA (Regular) | March 5, 2016 | May 12, 2016 | - | - | 24 | [82] |
| 100 | Anthony Joshua | United Kingdom | IBF | April 9, 2016 | April 29, 2017 | def. Dominic Breazeale on Jun 25, 2016 def. Eric Molina on Dec 10, 2016 def. Wladimir Klitschko on Apr 29, 2017 | - | [83] | |
| WBA (Super), and IBF | April 29, 2017 | March 31, 2018 | def. Carlos Takam on Oct 28, 2017 def. Joseph Parker on Mar 31, 2018 | - | 1 | [83] | |||
| WBA (Super), IBF, WBO | March 31, 2018 | June 1, 2019 | def. Alexander Povetkin on Sep 22, 2018 | - | [83] | ||||
| - | Ruslan Chagaev awarded the title | Uzbekistan | WBA (Regular) | May 12, 2016 | July 25, 2016 | - | - | 3 | [73] |
| 101 | Joseph Parker def. Andy Ruiz Jr. |  New Zealand | WBO | December 10, 2016 | March 31, 2018 | def. Răzvan Cojanu on May 6, 2017 def. Hughie Fury on Sep 23, 2017 | - | 1 | [84] |
| - | Manuel Charr def. Alexander Ustinov |  Syria | WBA (Regular) | November 25, 2017 | January 29, 2021 | - | - | 1 | [85] |
| 102 | Andy Ruiz Jr. | United States Mexico | WBA (Super), IBF, WBO | June 1, 2019 | December 7, 2019 | - | - | [86] | |
| 103 | Anthony Joshua (Second reign) | United Kingdom | WBA (Super), IBF, WBO | December 7, 2019 | present | def. Kubrat Pulev on Dec 12, 2020 | - | [83] | |
| 104 | Tyson Fury (Second reign) | United Kingdom | WBC | February 22, 2020 | present | - | The Ring | [80] | |
| - | Trevor Bryan def. Bermane Stiverne | United States | WBA (Regular) | January 29, 2021 | present | - | - | 26 | |
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 universal 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 FFrancoi 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.
- On January 29, 2021, the World Boxing Association announced it would henceforth recognize Manuel Charr as its 'Champion in Recess,' following his inability to secure a visa to box against then-interim champion Trevor Bryan. Bryan was subsequently matched with former WBC titleholder Bermane Stiverne for the now-vacant "regular" championship. Bryan won the bout, and with it the "regular" championship designation.
List of combined reigns
As of December 14, 2020.
Keys:
- Active title reign
- Reign has ended
- WBO heavyweight title bouts before August 1997 are not included[87]
| 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 | IBF, WBA, 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, WBC, WBA | 22 | 21 |
| 4. | Lennox Lewis | 8 years, 5 months, 13 days | 3 086 | 3 | WBC, IBF, WBA | 15 | 15 |
| 5. | Vitali Klitschko | 7 years, 5 months, 28 days | 2 735 | 3 | WBO, WBC | 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 | 1 790 | 1 | WBC | 10 | 8 |
| 13. | Joe Frazier | 4 years, 10 months, 18 days | 1 785 | 1 | NYSAC, WBA, WBC | 10 | 10 |
| 14. | Floyd Patterson | 4 years, 10 months, 0 days | 1 765 | 2 | NYSAC, NBA | 8 | 7 |
| 15. | James J. Corbett | 4 years, 6 months, 10 days | 1 652 | 1 | Universal | 2 | 2 |
| 16. | Jess Willard | 4 years, 2 months, 29 days | 1 551 | 1 | Universal | 2 | 2 |
| 17. | Anthony Joshua | 4 years, 2 months, 0 days | 1 521 | 2 | WBA, IBF, WBO | 9 | 9 |
| 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 |
List of individual reigns
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
| 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 | 6 years and 23 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 |
By nationality
Map of countries, number of current and former world heavyweight boxing champions per country (as of February 2020). Note: interim titles, as well as WBA's secondary belts (Regular, Gold etc.) are not included
See also
- World heavyweight boxing championship records and statistics
- List of Olympic medalists in boxing#Heavyweight
- List of WBA female world champions#Light heavyweight
- List of WBC female world champions#Heavyweight
- List of IBF female world champions#Heavyweight
- List of WBO female world champions#Heavyweight
Further reading
- 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.
References
- "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.
- "Президент России предоставил гражданство Олегу Маскаеву".
- "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.
- James B. Roberts, Alexander G. Skutt: The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall of Fame Official Record Book, p. 331–32. The record of Ricardo Lopez indicates his opponent Alex Sánchez as WBO "World Champion" on August 23, 1997, meanwhile Michael Carbajal's opponent Josue Camacho (fought on July 15, 1994) didn't receive the same recognition, thus suggesting that WBO title hadn't been viewed by IBHOF as a major title prior to (at least) August 1997, when Herbie Hide (won the title on June 28, 1997) was WBO heavyweight champion
Sources
- 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)
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