List of heavyweight boxing champions

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List of heavyweight boxing champions

This is a chronological list of world heavyweight boxing champions since the introduction of the Marquess of Queensberry rules

Marquess of Queensberry rules

The Marquess of Queensberry rules is a code of generally accepted rules in the sport of boxing. They were named so because the John Douglas, 9th Marquess of Queensberry publicly endorsed the code....
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pions were recognized by public acclamation. A champion in that era was a fighter who had a notable win over another fighter and kept winning afterward. Retirements or disputed results could lead to a championship being split among several men for periods of time.

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Encyclopedia

This is a chronological list of world heavyweight boxing champions since the introduction of the Marquess of Queensberry rules

Marquess of Queensberry rules

Championship recognition

1885–1910

Champions were recognized by public acclamation. A champion in that era was a fighter who had a notable win over another fighter and kept winning afterward. Retirements or disputed results could lead to a championship being split among several men for periods of time. With only minor exceptions, the heavyweight division remained free from dual title-holders until the 1960s, also in the 1990s.

1910–1961

Championship awarding organizations

The International Boxing Union (IBU), formed in Paris
Paris

Paris is the Capital of France and the country's largest city. It is situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the ?le-de-France Regions of France ....
in 1910. Changed name to European Boxing Union
European Boxing Union

The European Boxing Union is an organization that oversees competition in that sport over the continent of Europe....
in 1946. It organised world title fights from 1913 to 1963 after which it was incorporated into the World Boxing Council
World Boxing Council

The World Boxing Council was initially created by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo L?pez Mateos, to create an international boxi...
(WBC).
The New York State Athletic Commission
New York State Athletic Commission

The New York State Athletic Commission or NYSAC, also known as the New York Athletic Commission, regulates all contests and exhibitions of unarmed combat within the state of New York, including licensure and supervision of promoters, boxing, professional wrestling, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, seconds, ring officials, managers,...
(NYSAC), formed in 1920. It organised world title bouts until the early 1970s when it became a member of World Boxing Council
World Boxing Council

The World Boxing Council was initially created by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo L?pez Mateos, to create an international boxi...
(WBC).
The National Boxing Association (NBA) formed in the USA in 1921.
Other bodies including the National Sporting Club
National Sporting Club

The National Sporting Club was a club founded in London in 1891, which did more to establish the sport of boxing in Great Britain than any other organisation....
in Great Britain and the California State Boxing Commission awarded world titles but this did not affect the heavyweight division.

1961–present

Championship awarding organizations

The World Boxing Association
World Boxing Association

The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title, at the professional level....
(WBA), founded in 1921 as the National Boxing Association (NBA); it changed its name in 1961 and allowed membership from outside the USA.
The World Boxing Council
World Boxing Council

The World Boxing Council was initially created by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo L?pez Mateos, to create an international boxi...
(WBC), founded in 1963.
The International Boxing Federation
International Boxing Federation

The International Boxing Federation, or IBF, is one of four major organizations recognized by IBHOF which sanction world championship boxing bouts, alongside the World Boxing Association, World Boxing Council and WBO....
(IBF), founded in 1983.
The World Boxing Organization
World Boxing Organization

The World Boxing Organization is a sanctioning organization currently recognizing professional boxing world champions. Its offices are located in San Juan, Puerto Rico....
(WBO), founded in 1988.

Reign began…	Reign ended	Champion	Recognition
August 29, 1885	September 7, 1892	John L. Sullivan John L. Sullivan John Lawrence Sullivan was recognized as the first heavyweight champion of Boxing from February 7 1882 to 1892, and is generally recognized as the last heavyweight champion of bare-knuckle boxing under the London Prize Ring rules....	Universal
Sullivan defeated Paddy Ryan Paddy Ryan Paddy Ryan was an Irish-American boxing, and became his sport's Heavyweight Champion from May 30 1880 when he won the title from Joe Goss until losing his title to John L.... in 1882 for the championship recognition. On August 29, 1885, he outpointed Dominic McCaffrey in Chester Park, Cincinnati, in a bout described as being "to decide the Marquess of Queensberry glove contest for the championship of the world"
September 7, 1892	March 17, 1897	James J. Corbett James J. Corbett James John "Gentleman Jim" Corbett was a List of Heavyweight Champions, best known as the man who defeated the great John L. Sullivan. He also coached boxing at the Olympic Club in San Francisco....	Universal
James J. Corbett announced his retirement from boxing in 1895 and nominated his protege Steve O'Donnell as his successor. Tradition demanded that O'Donnell win the world title in the ring so he was matched against the erratic Irish boxer Peter Maher Peter Maher (boxer) Peter Maher was an Irish-American boxer known for his powerful punch. Early in his career Maher won the 1888 Middleweight Championship of Ireland, and the 1890 Heavyweight Championship of Ireland.... . The bout took place at the Empire Athletic club, Maspeth, New York New York The State of New York is a U.S. state in the Mid-Atlantic States and Northeastern United States regions of the United States and is the nation's List of U.S.... on 11 November, 1895, Maher surprisingly defeated O'Donnell via first round knockout. The general public had little acceptance of the new champion and even Maher himself expressed a wish to fight Corbett for the "real" title. Maher defended his "world title" against the British-born Bob Fitzsimmons Bob Fitzsimmons Robert James "Bob" Fitzsimmons , a British boxer, made boxing history as the sport's first three-division world champion. He also achieved fame for beating Gentleman Jim Corbett, the man who beat the great John L.... in Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico Mexico The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federalism constitutionalism republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of Mexico.... on February 21, 1896, and was himself the victim of a first round knockout. Fitzsimmons then fought another Irish fighter, Tom Sharkey Tom Sharkey "Sailor" Tom Sharkey was a boxer who fought two fights with heavyweight champion James J. Jeffries. Sharkey's recorded ring career spanned from 1893 to 1904.... of Dundalk Dundalk Dundalk is the county town of County Louth in Republic of Ireland, situated close to the border with Northern Ireland. It takes its name from , Dalga's Fortification home closely associated with the famous mythical warrior C?chulainn, and was granted its charter in 1189.... on December 2, 1896, in San Francisco, the bout being billed for the heavyweight title. Sharkey was awarded victory by disqualification in round 8 by the referee, Wyatt Earp Wyatt Earp Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp was an United States farmer, teamster, sometime American Bison hunter, officer of the law in various American Old West frontier towns, gambler, bar -keeper, miner and boxing referee.... . Corbett announced his return to the ring late in 1896 and the claims of Maher, Fitzsimmons (until 1897) and Sharkey to be champion are usually ignored.
March 17, 1897	June 9, 1899	Bob Fitzsimmons Bob Fitzsimmons Robert James "Bob" Fitzsimmons , a British boxer, made boxing history as the sport's first three-division world champion. He also achieved fame for beating Gentleman Jim Corbett, the man who beat the great John L....	Universal
Fitzsimmons became an American citizen in 1898.
June 9, 1899	May 13, 1905¹	James J. Jeffries James J. Jeffries James Jackson Jeffries was a List of Heavyweight Champions.His greatest assets were his enormous strength and stamina. Using a technique taught to him by his trainer, former welterweight and middleweight champion Tommy Ryan, Jeffries fought out of a crouch with his left arm extended forward....	Universal
Jeffries was the first modern champion to relinquish the title, announcing his retirement and declaring that the winner of a match between Marvin Hart Marvin Hart Marvin Hart was the World List of Heavyweight Champions from July 3, 1905 to February 23, 1906.... and Jack Root Jack Root Jack Root was a light heavyweight champion and also fought for the world heavyweight title. He fought out of Chicago, Illinois.... would be the next legitimate champion. Jeffries would return to the ring to face Jack Johnson Jack Johnson (boxer) John Arthur Johnson , better known as Jack Johnson and nicknamed the ?Galveston Giant?, was an United States boxing and arguably the best heavyweight of his generation.... .
July 3, 1905	February 23, 1906	Marvin Hart Marvin Hart Marvin Hart was the World List of Heavyweight Champions from July 3, 1905 to February 23, 1906....	Universal
February 23, 1906	December 26, 1908	Tommy Burns Tommy Burns (boxer) Tommy Burns , born Noah Brusso, is the only Canadian born List of Heavyweight Champions boxer. The first to travel the globe in defending his title, Tommy made 11 title defences despite often being the betting underdog due to his size....	Universal
December 26, 1908	April 5, 1915	Jack Johnson Jack Johnson (boxer) John Arthur Johnson , better known as Jack Johnson and nicknamed the ?Galveston Giant?, was an United States boxing and arguably the best heavyweight of his generation....	Universal
Jack Johnson's refusal to honor an agreement made by his manager to defend against the British champion led the National Sporting Club National Sporting Club The National Sporting Club was a club founded in London in 1891, which did more to establish the sport of boxing in Great Britain than any other organisation.... in London London London is the capital of both England and the United Kingdom, and the most populous municipality in the European Union. An important settlement for two millennia, History of London goes back to its founding by the Roman Empire.... , the most powerful body in boxing outside the USA, to withdraw recognition of Johnson as champion. They matched Canadian Sam Langford Sam Langford Sam Langford was an African Canadian boxing standout of the early part of the 20th century. Called the "Greatest Fighter Nobody Knows," by ESPN.... and the British champion William "Iron" Hague for their version of the title. Langford beat Hague on a fourth round knockout in London on May 24, 1909. Langford returned home to America and never pressed his claim to the title.
April 5, 1915	July 4, 1919	Jess Willard Jess Willard Jess Willard was a List of Heavyweight Champions Heavyweight Boxing Champion.A working cowboy, he did not begin boxing until he was almost 30 years old....	Universal
July 4, 1919	September 23, 1926	Jack Dempsey Jack Dempsey Jack "Manassa Mauler" Dempsey was an United States boxing who held the List of heavyweight boxing champions from 1919 to 1926. Dempsey's aggressive style and punching power made him one of the most popular boxers in history....	Universal
September 23, 1926	July 31, 1928²	Gene Tunney Gene Tunney James Joseph "Gene" Tunney was the List of Heavyweight Champions from 1926-1928 who defeated Jack Dempsey twice, first in 1926 and then in 1927....	Universal
Tunney announced his retirement from professional boxing on July 31, 1928, relinquishing the championship.
June 12, 1930	June 21, 1932	Max Schmeling Max Schmeling Maximillian Adolph Otto Siegfried Schmeling was a Germany boxing who was List of heavyweight boxing champions between 1930 and 1932. His two fights with Joe Louis in the late 1930s transcended boxing and became worldwide social events because of their national associations....	Universal
Schmeling defeated Jack Sharkey to earn universal recognition as champion.
June 21, 1932	June 29, 1933	Jack Sharkey Jack Sharkey Jack Sharkey was an American List of Heavyweight Champions. He was of Lithuanian descent.Born in an era when prizefighters, actors and others in the public spotlight adopted an "American-sounding" pseudonym, Joseph Paul Zukauskas took the family name of a popular retired Ireland boxer and future Hall of Famer, Thomas Sharkey ....	Universal
June 29, 1933	June 14, 1934	Primo Carnera Primo Carnera Primo Carnera was an Italian people Boxing who became the List of Heavyweight Champions....	Universal
June 14, 1934	June 13, 1935	Max Baer	Universal
In late 1934 the International Boxing Union European Boxing Union The European Boxing Union is an organization that oversees competition in that sport over the continent of Europe.... ordered world champion Max Baer to defend his title against the reigning European champion, Pierre Charles Pierre Charles Pierre Charles was Prime Minister of Dominica from 2000 to 2004 as well as Member of Parliament for Grand Bay, Dominica from 1985 until his death.... of Belgium. When Baer instead opted to fight James J. Braddock James J. Braddock James Walter Braddock was an Irish-American List of heavyweight boxing champions.Fighting under the name James J. Braddock , he was known for his powerful right hand punch, strong chin, and his amazing comeback from a floundering career, which saw him lose several bouts before struggling to support his family by working on the docks... they withdrew recognition of him as champion. The IBU matched Charles with the American heavyweight George Godfrey for their version of the title with the fight taking place in Brussels Brussels Brussels , officially the Brussels Capital-Region, is the de facto capital city of the European Union and the largest urban area in Belgium.... , Belgium Belgium * A small German-speaking Community of Belgium exists in eastern Wallonia. Belgium's linguistic diversity and related political and cultural conflicts are reflected in the history of Belgium and a complex Communities and regions of Belgium.... on 2 October, 1935. Godfrey won a fifteen round points decision but did not press any claim to the championship and was inactive for the next two years. The IBU then recognized Baer's successor, James J. Braddock James J. Braddock James Walter Braddock was an Irish-American List of heavyweight boxing champions.Fighting under the name James J. Braddock , he was known for his powerful right hand punch, strong chin, and his amazing comeback from a floundering career, which saw him lose several bouts before struggling to support his family by working on the docks... , as champion.
June 13, 1935	June 22, 1937	James J. Braddock James J. Braddock James Walter Braddock was an Irish-American List of heavyweight boxing champions.Fighting under the name James J. Braddock , he was known for his powerful right hand punch, strong chin, and his amazing comeback from a floundering career, which saw him lose several bouts before struggling to support his family by working on the docks...	Universal
June 22, 1937	March 1, 1949²	Joe Louis Joe Louis Joseph Louis Barrow , better known as Joe Louis, was a List of Heavyweight Champions.Nicknamed the Brown Bomber, he is considered to be one of the greatest in boxing history....	Universal
As of 2009, Louis still holds the record for holding the title longer than any man (11 years and 14 months)
June 22, 1949	September 27, 1950	Ezzard Charles Ezzard Charles Ezzard Mack Charles was an African-American professional boxer and former List of Heavyweight Champions of the world.He was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia, Georgia , but is commonly thought of as a Cincinnati, Ohio....	NBA
Charles won the vacant National Boxing Association World Boxing Association The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title, at the professional level.... championship in June 1949, but was not universally recognized as champion until June 1951.
June 6, 1950	June 16, 1951	Lee Savold Lee Savold Lee Savold was a heavyweight boxer who held the British and European version of the World Heavyweight championship between 1950 and 1951 and was a leading contender in the forties and early fifties....	EBU
On the retirement of Joe Louis in March 1949, the European Boxing Union European Boxing Union The European Boxing Union is an organization that oversees competition in that sport over the continent of Europe.... announced that a fight in May 1949 between Lee Savold Lee Savold Lee Savold was a heavyweight boxer who held the British and European version of the World Heavyweight championship between 1950 and 1951 and was a leading contender in the forties and early fifties.... of the USA and British champion Bruce Woodcock Bruce Woodcock Bruce Sterling Woodcock is an United States computer and video games industry analyst, best known for his work on subscription tracking of massively multiplayer online games via his website MMOGCHART.COM.... would determine their version of the world heavyweight title. The NYSAC and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) also decided to recognize the winner of the fight as their champion but it was postponed for over a year due to injuries Woodcock had suffered in a car crash. The NYSAC decided instead to recognize the winner of the upcoming bout in September 1950 between Ezzard Charles and Joe Louis as their champion. Louis was returning to the ring after an absence of 27 months. When the fight for the EBU and BBBofC world heavyweight titles eventually took place in June 1950, Savold defeated Woodcock in four rounds.
September 27, 1950	June 16, 1951	Ezzard Charles Ezzard Charles Ezzard Mack Charles was an African-American professional boxer and former List of Heavyweight Champions of the world.He was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia, Georgia , but is commonly thought of as a Cincinnati, Ohio....	NBA & NYSAC
June 16, 1951	July 18, 1951	Ezzard Charles Ezzard Charles Ezzard Mack Charles was an African-American professional boxer and former List of Heavyweight Champions of the world.He was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia, Georgia , but is commonly thought of as a Cincinnati, Ohio....	Universal
Following his defeat to Joe Louis in a non-title fight in June 1951, Lee Savold was no longer recognized as the world heavyweight champion by the EBU and the BBBofC, who both immediately transferred their recognition to Ezzard Charles. Charles therefore became universally recognized as world heavyweight champion.
July 18, 1951	September 23, 1952	Jersey Joe Walcott Jersey Joe Walcott Arnold Raymond Cream , better known as Jersey Joe Walcott, was a world heavyweight boxing champion. He broke the world's record for the oldest man to win the world's Heavyweight title when he earned it at the age of 37....	Universal
September 23, 1952	April 27, 1956²	Rocky Marciano Rocky Marciano Rocky Marciano , born Rocco Francis Marchegiano, was the heavyweight champion of the world from 1952 to 1956. Marciano, with forty-three knockouts to his credit , remains the only heavyweight champion in boxing history to retire having won every fight in his professional career....	Universal
Marciano announced his retirement from professional boxing, relinquishing the championship.
November 30, 1956	June 26, 1959	Floyd Patterson Floyd Patterson Floyd Patterson was an American 2-time List of Heavyweight Champions. At 21, Patterson was then the youngest man to win the world heavyweight championship and, later, the 1st to regain it....	Universal
June 26, 1959	June 20, 1960	Ingemar Johansson Ingemar Johansson Jens Ingemar Johansson was a Swedish people Boxing and former List of Heavyweight Champions. He defeated Floyd Patterson to win the World Heavyweight Championship....	Universal
June 20, 1960	September 25, 1962	Floyd Patterson Floyd Patterson Floyd Patterson was an American 2-time List of Heavyweight Champions. At 21, Patterson was then the youngest man to win the world heavyweight championship and, later, the 1st to regain it....	Universal
September 25, 1962	February 25, 1964	Sonny Liston Sonny Liston Charles L. "Sonny" Liston was a professional boxing who became List of Heavyweight Champions in 1962 by knocking out Floyd Patterson in the first round....	Universal
February 25, 1964	June 19, 1964	Cassius Clay Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali is a retired United States boxing and former three-time List of heavyweight boxing champions.As an amateur, Ali won a gold medal at the Summer Olympic Games in the light heavyweight division gold medal.... (Muhammad Ali)	Universal
The WBA World Boxing Association The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title, at the professional level.... and the NYSAC withdrew their recognition of Clay (now known as Muhammad Ali) as champion for agreeing to an immediate rematch against Liston, a violation of the organization's rules at the time. The WBC and other organizations continued to recognize him. (See Ali versus Liston Ali versus Liston The two Muhammad Ali versus Sonny Liston fights for boxing's List of heavyweight boxing champions were among the most anticipated, watched and controversial fights in the sport's history.... .)
June 19, 1964	February 6, 1967	Cassius Clay Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali is a retired United States boxing and former three-time List of heavyweight boxing champions.As an amateur, Ali won a gold medal at the Summer Olympic Games in the light heavyweight division gold medal.... (Muhammad Ali)	WBC
March 5, 1965	February 6, 1967	Ernie Terrell Ernie Terrell Ernie Terrell is an United States singer, record producer, and former World Boxing Association List of heavyweight boxing champions.Terrell is the older brother of The Supremes's early 1970s lead singer Jean Terrell....	WBA & NYSAC
February 6, 1967	April 29, 1967	Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali is a retired United States boxing and former three-time List of heavyweight boxing champions.As an amateur, Ali won a gold medal at the Summer Olympic Games in the light heavyweight division gold medal....	Universal
The WBA, the NYSAC and several other US state boxing commissions withdrew recognition of Ali as champion for his refusal to be inducted into the United States Army United States Army The United States Army is the branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for Army operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S.... subsequent to being drafted Conscription Conscription is a general term for involuntary labor demanded by an established authority. It is most often used in the specific sense of government policies that require citizens to serve in the military.... in early 1967.
April 29, 1967	March, 1969	Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali is a retired United States boxing and former three-time List of heavyweight boxing champions.As an amateur, Ali won a gold medal at the Summer Olympic Games in the light heavyweight division gold medal....	WBC
The WBC eventually followed the lead of the WBA and the NYSAC and stripped Ali of their title in March 1969.
March 4, 1968	February 16, 1970	Joe Frazier Joe Frazier Joseph William Frazier, known as Smokin' Joe, is a former Olympic and World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, active mostly from the later 1960s to the mid 1970s....	NYSAC
April 28, 1968	February 16, 1970	Jimmy Ellis Jimmy Ellis James Albert "Jimmy" Ellis is a boxing from Louisville, Kentucky. He held the World Boxing Association Heavyweight title from 1968 to 1970.As an amateur, he was trained by Joe Elsby Martin, Sr., at Louisville's Columbia Gym....	WBA
February 16, 1970	January 22, 1973	Joe Frazier Joe Frazier Joseph William Frazier, known as Smokin' Joe, is a former Olympic and World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, active mostly from the later 1960s to the mid 1970s....	Universal
Frazier and Ellis fought on February 16, 1970, at Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, has been the name of four arenas in New York City.... , New York New York City The City of New York is the List of United States cities by population in the United States, while the New York metropolitan area ranks among the List of urban areas by population.... . Frazier entered the ring as the holder of NYSAC version of the world title and Ellis held the WBA heavyweight title. The fight was also for the WBC title vacated by Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali is a retired United States boxing and former three-time List of heavyweight boxing champions.As an amateur, Ali won a gold medal at the Summer Olympic Games in the light heavyweight division gold medal.... . Frazier defeated Ellis and was universally recognized as champion. He cemented his reputation upon defeating Muhammad Ali on March 8, 1971. (See Fight of the Century Fight of the Century *Fight of the Century* was the promotional nickname given to the first boxing match between champion Joe Frazier and challenger Muhammad Ali , held on March 8, 1971 at New York's Madison Square Garden.... )
January 22, 1973	October 30, 1974	George Foreman George Foreman George Edward Foreman is an United States two-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Olympic gold medalist, and entrepreneur.He is the oldest man ever to win a major heavyweight title when, at 45, he knocked out 26-year-old Michael Moorer in the 10th round....	Universal
October 30, 1974	February 15, 1978	Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali is a retired United States boxing and former three-time List of heavyweight boxing champions.As an amateur, Ali won a gold medal at the Summer Olympic Games in the light heavyweight division gold medal....	Universal
February 15, 1978	March 18, 1978³	Leon Spinks Leon Spinks Leon Spinks is an USA former boxing. He had an overall record of 26 wins, 17 losses and 3 draws as a professional, with 14 knockout wins. While still an amateur, he also became a member of the United States Marine Corps....	Universal
March 18, 1978	September 15, 1978	Leon Spinks Leon Spinks Leon Spinks is an USA former boxing. He had an overall record of 26 wins, 17 losses and 3 draws as a professional, with 14 knockout wins. While still an amateur, he also became a member of the United States Marine Corps....	WBA
March 18, 1978	June 9, 1978	Ken Norton Ken Norton Kenneth Howard Norton Sr. is a former multi-time world champion heavyweight boxer....	WBC
Spinks was stripped of his world title by the WBC for refusing to defend his title against their #1 ranked contender, Ken Norton. Spinks instead agreed to fight a return bout against Ali for the WBA crown. The WBC awarded Norton the title and, since he lost to Larry Holmes in his next defense, he is sometimes omitted from a list of heavyweight champions because he never won a world title fight.
June 9, 1978	December 11, 1983¹	Larry Holmes Larry Holmes Larry Holmes is a former world heavyweight boxing champion. Holmes has spent the majority of his adult life in Easton, Pennsylvania, in the state's Lehigh Valley region, giving rise to his boxing nickname, The Easton Assassin....	WBC
Holmes relinquished his WBC title to assume the championship of the newly formed International Boxing Federation International Boxing Federation The International Boxing Federation, or IBF, is one of four major organizations recognized by IBHOF which sanction world championship boxing bouts, alongside the World Boxing Association, World Boxing Council and WBO.... .
September 15, 1978	April 27, 1979¹	Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali is a retired United States boxing and former three-time List of heavyweight boxing champions.As an amateur, Ali won a gold medal at the Summer Olympic Games in the light heavyweight division gold medal....	WBA
Believing his career over, Ali relinquished his WBA title in exchange for a payment from promoter Don King, who was trying to stage a bout between then-WBC champ Larry Holmes Larry Holmes Larry Holmes is a former world heavyweight boxing champion. Holmes has spent the majority of his adult life in Easton, Pennsylvania, in the state's Lehigh Valley region, giving rise to his boxing nickname, The Easton Assassin.... and John Tate John Tate (boxer) John Tate was an American prizefighter and Olympic Games boxer, who briefly held the World Boxing Association heavyweight title from 1979 to 1980.... for the undisputed title. The bout never materialized, and Ali would return to the ring in 1980.
October 20, 1979	March 31, 1980	John Tate John Tate (boxer) John Tate was an American prizefighter and Olympic Games boxer, who briefly held the World Boxing Association heavyweight title from 1979 to 1980....	WBA
March 31, 1980	December 10, 1982	Mike Weaver Mike Weaver Michael Dwayne Weaver is a former Boxing who is better known in the boxing world simply as Mike Weaver....	WBA
December 10, 1982	September 23, 1983	Michael Dokes Michael Dokes Michael Marshall Dokes is a former American boxing in the heavyweight division, nicknamed "Dynamite."...	WBA
September 23, 1983	December 1, 1984	Gerrie Coetzee Gerrie Coetzee Gerhardus Christian Coetzee , better known as Gerrie Coetzee, is a South African former boxer. He made history twice: he was the first boxer from the African continent ever to fight for the world Heavyweight title, and the first to win the world Heavyweight title....	WBA
December 11, 1983	September 21, 1985	Larry Holmes Larry Holmes Larry Holmes is a former world heavyweight boxing champion. Holmes has spent the majority of his adult life in Easton, Pennsylvania, in the state's Lehigh Valley region, giving rise to his boxing nickname, The Easton Assassin....	IBF
March 9, 1984	August 31, 1984	Tim Witherspoon Tim Witherspoon "Terrible" Tim Witherspoon is an American boxer who was twice recognized as List of Heavyweight Champions by a professional boxing sanctioning organization....	WBC
August 31, 1984	March 22, 1986	Pinklon Thomas Pinklon Thomas Pinklon Thomas is a former boxer whose trademark pink boxing trunks and a left jab were key distinguishing characteristics.A native of Pontiac, Michigan who also lived on military bases in South Carolina and Washington state, Thomas eventually settled in Wyncote, Pennsylvania....	WBC
December 1, 1984	April 29, 1985	Greg Page Greg Page (boxer) Greg Page is a former American Boxing. He was the World Boxing Association List of heavyweight boxing champions from 1984 to 1985. His professional record after his retirement in 2001 was 58-17-1 with 48 Knockouts....	WBA
April 29, 1985	January 17, 1986	Tony Tubbs Tony Tubbs Tony Tubbs was the World Boxing Association List of heavyweight boxing champions from 1985 to 1986.In the late 1970s he was an outstanding amateur, who compiled a record of around 240-13....	WBA
September 21, 1985	February 19, 1987³	Michael Spinks Michael Spinks Michael Spinks a native of St. Louis, Missouri, Missouri, is a former boxing who was champion in both the light heavyweight and heavyweight division....	IBF
January 17, 1986	December 12, 1986	Tim Witherspoon Tim Witherspoon "Terrible" Tim Witherspoon is an American boxer who was twice recognized as List of Heavyweight Champions by a professional boxing sanctioning organization....	WBA
March 22, 1986	November 22, 1986	Trevor Berbick Trevor Berbick Trevor Berbick was a Jamaican heavyweight boxing who fought as a professional from 1976 until 2000. He was the victim of a homicide near his hometown of Norwich, Jamaica....	WBC
Jamaican born Berbick was a naturalized Canadian citizen and former Canadian heavyweight champion.
November 22, 1986	March 7, 1987	Mike Tyson Mike Tyson Michael Gerard "Mike" Tyson, also known as Malik Abdul, is a retired United States Boxing. He was the List of undisputed boxing champions#Heavyweight and remains the youngest man ever to win a world heavyweight title at just 20 years old....	WBC
December 12, 1986	March 7, 1987	James 'Bonecrusher' Smith	WBA
March 7, 1987	August 1, 1987	Mike Tyson Mike Tyson Michael Gerard "Mike" Tyson, also known as Malik Abdul, is a retired United States Boxing. He was the List of undisputed boxing champions#Heavyweight and remains the youngest man ever to win a world heavyweight title at just 20 years old....	WBA, WBC
May 30, 1987	August 1, 1987	Tony Tucker Tony Tucker Tony Craig Tucker was a professional heavyweight boxing during the 1980s and 1990s. Nicknamed "TNT" , he won a gold medal at the Boxing at the 1979 Pan American Games, and was briefly a world heavyweight champion as a professional....	IBF
August 1, 1987	August 13, 1989	Mike Tyson Mike Tyson Michael Gerard "Mike" Tyson, also known as Malik Abdul, is a retired United States Boxing. He was the List of undisputed boxing champions#Heavyweight and remains the youngest man ever to win a world heavyweight title at just 20 years old....	IBF, WBA & WBC
May 6, 1989	January 11, 1991	Francesco Damiani Francesco Damiani Francesco Damiani was an Italy boxing who won the silver medal at the 1982 World Championships and at the 1984 Summer Olympics. As a professional, he was the first WBO heavyweight champion....	WBO
Though Damiani defeated Johnny DuPlooy to become the WBO's first Heavyweight champion, Tyson's reign in the division during this period is virtually undisputed. Additionally, during this period Tyson also knocked out Michael Spinks Michael Spinks Michael Spinks a native of St. Louis, Missouri, Missouri, is a former boxing who was champion in both the light heavyweight and heavyweight division.... who some regarded as the 'lineal champion.'
August 13, 1989	February 10, 1990	Mike Tyson Mike Tyson Michael Gerard "Mike" Tyson, also known as Malik Abdul, is a retired United States Boxing. He was the List of undisputed boxing champions#Heavyweight and remains the youngest man ever to win a world heavyweight title at just 20 years old....	Universal
February 10, 1990	October 25, 1990	James "Buster" Douglas	IBF, WBA & WBC
October 25, 1990	November 13, 1992	Evander Holyfield Evander Holyfield Evander Holyfield is a professional boxing from the United States and a multiple world champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, earning him the nickname "The Real Deal"....	IBF, WBA & WBC
January 11, 1991	December 24, 1991³	Ray Mercer Ray Mercer "Merciless" Ray Mercer is an United States professional boxer and former World Boxing Organization World Heavyweight Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist who resides in Fayetteville, North Carolina....	WBO
May 15, 1992	February 3, 1993³	Michael Moorer Michael Moorer Michael Lee Moorer is a boxing who is a former light heavyweight and heavyweight World Champion....	WBO
November 13, 1992	December 14, 1992³	Riddick Bowe Riddick Bowe Riddick Lamont Bowe is an United States Boxing and former undisputed heavyweight champion. He is best remembered for his trilogy of fights with Evander Holyfield and two brutal bouts with Andrew Golota....	IBF, WBA & WBC
Bowe was stripped of his WBC championship for refusing to fight Lennox Lewis Lennox Lewis Lennox Claudius Lewis, Order of Canada, Order of the British Empire is a retired boxing who won gold for Canada at the Boxing at the 1988 Summer Olympics as an amateur boxing.... .
December 14, 1992	November 6, 1993	Riddick Bowe Riddick Bowe Riddick Lamont Bowe is an United States Boxing and former undisputed heavyweight champion. He is best remembered for his trilogy of fights with Evander Holyfield and two brutal bouts with Andrew Golota....	IBF & WBA
December 14, 1992	September 24, 1994	Lennox Lewis Lennox Lewis Lennox Claudius Lewis, Order of Canada, Order of the British Empire is a retired boxing who won gold for Canada at the Boxing at the 1988 Summer Olympics as an amateur boxing....	WBC
Lewis defeated Razor Ruddock Razor Ruddock The nickname "Razor" Ruddock has been shared by two sportsmen:* Donovan Ruddock, Canadian ex-boxer* Neil Ruddock, English ex-footballer... on October 31, 1992, in a WBC 'eliminator' fight. When Riddick Bowe Riddick Bowe Riddick Lamont Bowe is an United States Boxing and former undisputed heavyweight champion. He is best remembered for his trilogy of fights with Evander Holyfield and two brutal bouts with Andrew Golota.... 's championship recognition was withdrawn by the organization, the WBC immediately awarded Lewis the title.
June 7, 1993	October 29, 1993	Tommy Morrison Tommy Morrison Tommy David Morrison is a heavyweight boxing, and the former World Boxing Organization champion. Dubbed "The Duke," he is a grandnephew of Hollywood star John Wayne, and in 1990 was co-star of the boxing movie Rocky V....	WBO
October 29, 1993	March 19, 1994	Michael Bentt Michael Bentt Michael Bentt is a retired heavyweight boxing turned actor of Jamaican lineage. He was born in East Dulwich, London, England, but raised in the Cambria Heights, Queens section of Queens in New York City....	WBO
November 6, 1993	April 22, 1994	Evander Holyfield Evander Holyfield Evander Holyfield is a professional boxing from the United States and a multiple world champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, earning him the nickname "The Real Deal"....	IBF & WBA
March 19, 1994	March 11, 1995	Herbie Hide Herbie Hide Herbie Hide is a United Kingdom boxing from Norwich....	WBO
April 22, 1994	November 5, 1994	Michael Moorer Michael Moorer Michael Lee Moorer is a boxing who is a former light heavyweight and heavyweight World Champion....	IBF & WBA
September 24, 1994	September 2, 1995	Oliver McCall Oliver McCall Oliver "The Atomic Bull" McCall is an American professional Heavyweight boxer known for his outstanding ability to take a punch and winning the World Boxing Council Heavyweight Championship 1994 as a result of knocking out Lennox Lewis in the second round, in Lewis' home town of London, England....	WBC
November 5, 1994	March 4, 1995³	George Foreman George Foreman George Edward Foreman is an United States two-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Olympic gold medalist, and entrepreneur.He is the oldest man ever to win a major heavyweight title when, at 45, he knocked out 26-year-old Michael Moorer in the 10th round....	IBF & WBA
The World Boxing Association World Boxing Association The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title, at the professional level.... withdrew its recognition of Foreman, but Foreman retained IBF championship recognition until it too was withdrawn.
March 4, 1995	June 28, 1995³	George Foreman George Foreman George Edward Foreman is an United States two-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Olympic gold medalist, and entrepreneur.He is the oldest man ever to win a major heavyweight title when, at 45, he knocked out 26-year-old Michael Moorer in the 10th round....	IBF
The IBF withdrew its recognition of Foreman when he declined a rematch with Axel Schulz Axel Schulz Axel Schulz, born 9 November 1968 in Bad Saarow, Germany is a former German boxing.... of Germany. Schultz was matched with Francois Botha Francois Botha Francois Botha, also known as Frans Botha is a South African boxer, nicknamed the "White Buffalo". He is a former International Boxing Federation World Heavyweight Champion and the current World Boxing Foundation World Heavyweight Champion.... of South Africa for the vacant title. The bout took place on December 9, 1995 in Stuttgart Stuttgart Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-W?rttemberg in southern Germany. The list of cities in Germany, Stuttgart has a population of 590,429 while the metropolitan area referred to as Stuttgart Region has a population of 2.7 million .... and resulted in a split decision points victory for Botha. Botha however tested positive for illegal anabolic steroids in a post-fight drugs test and the result was changed to a no-contest. Although some record books continue to list Botha as a world champion, the IBF state that they do not regard that he was ever champion.
March 11, 1995	May 1, 1996¹	Riddick Bowe Riddick Bowe Riddick Lamont Bowe is an United States Boxing and former undisputed heavyweight champion. He is best remembered for his trilogy of fights with Evander Holyfield and two brutal bouts with Andrew Golota....	WBO
April 8, 1995	September 7, 1996	Bruce Seldon Bruce Seldon Bruce Samuel Seldon was the World Boxing Association Heavyweight champion from 1995 to 1996. It was after a boxing match between Seldon and Mike Tyson that Tupac Shakur was murdered in a drive-by shooting....	WBA
September 2, 1995	March 16, 1996	Frank Bruno Frank Bruno Franklin Roy Bruno is an English former Boxing whose career highlight was winning the World Boxing Council Heavyweight championship in 1995. Altogether, he won 40 of his 45 contests....	WBC
March 16, 1996	September 7, 1996	Mike Tyson Mike Tyson Michael Gerard "Mike" Tyson, also known as Malik Abdul, is a retired United States Boxing. He was the List of undisputed boxing champions#Heavyweight and remains the youngest man ever to win a world heavyweight title at just 20 years old....	WBC
June 22, 1996	November 8, 1997	Michael Moorer Michael Moorer Michael Lee Moorer is a boxing who is a former light heavyweight and heavyweight World Champion....	IBF
June 29, 1996	February 17, 1997¹	Henry Akinwande Henry Akinwande Henry Akinwande is a professional heavyweight boxer and former World Boxing Organization world heavyweight champion.Akinwande was born in London, England but went to live in his parents homeland of Nigeria as a 4yr old and came back to England as a 21yr old ....	WBO
Akinwande had been ranked the WBC's #2 contender when he won the WBO title. The WBC, which has feuded with the WBO since the latter's founding in 1988, dropped Akinwande from its rankings altogether. Akinwande subsequently relinquished his WBO title in exchange for the opportunity to meet Lennox Lewis Lennox Lewis Lennox Claudius Lewis, Order of Canada, Order of the British Empire is a retired boxing who won gold for Canada at the Boxing at the 1988 Summer Olympics as an amateur boxing.... in a bout for the WBC championship.
September 7, 1996	September 24, 1996¹	Mike Tyson Mike Tyson Michael Gerard "Mike" Tyson, also known as Malik Abdul, is a retired United States Boxing. He was the List of undisputed boxing champions#Heavyweight and remains the youngest man ever to win a world heavyweight title at just 20 years old....	WBA & WBC
September 24, 1996	November 9, 1996	Mike Tyson Mike Tyson Michael Gerard "Mike" Tyson, also known as Malik Abdul, is a retired United States Boxing. He was the List of undisputed boxing champions#Heavyweight and remains the youngest man ever to win a world heavyweight title at just 20 years old....	WBA
November 9, 1996	November 8, 1997	Evander Holyfield Evander Holyfield Evander Holyfield is a professional boxing from the United States and a multiple world champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, earning him the nickname "The Real Deal"....	WBA
February 7, 1997	November 13, 1999	Lennox Lewis Lennox Lewis Lennox Claudius Lewis, Order of Canada, Order of the British Empire is a retired boxing who won gold for Canada at the Boxing at the 1988 Summer Olympics as an amateur boxing....	WBC
June 28, 1997	June 26, 1999	Herbie Hide Herbie Hide Herbie Hide is a United Kingdom boxing from Norwich....	WBO
November 8, 1997	November 13, 1999	Evander Holyfield Evander Holyfield Evander Holyfield is a professional boxing from the United States and a multiple world champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, earning him the nickname "The Real Deal"....	IBF & WBA
June 26, 1999	April 1, 2000	Vitali Klitschko Vitali Klitschko Dr. Vitali Vladimirovich Klitschko born 19 July 1971 in Belovodsk, Kyrgyzstan). Klitschko is a Ukrainian professional heavyweight boxing and the current World Boxing Council heavyweight champion....	WBO
November 13, 1999	April 29, 2000³	Lennox Lewis Lennox Lewis Lennox Claudius Lewis, Order of Canada, Order of the British Empire is a retired boxing who won gold for Canada at the Boxing at the 1988 Summer Olympics as an amateur boxing....	IBF, WBA & WBC
In early 2000 the World Boxing Association World Boxing Association The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title, at the professional level.... and Lewis were sued by representatives of John Ruiz John Ruiz John ?The Quiet Man" Ruiz , currently residing in Las Vegas metropolitan area is a professional Puerto Rico-United States Boxing and former two-time WBA World Heavyweight champion..... claiming that they had reneged on an agreement by which Ruiz would have fought Lewis for the WBA title. A New Jersey court ruled in favor of Ruiz, and ordered Lewis to either have his next bout against Ruiz or relinquish the title. Lewis elected instead to fight contender Michael Grant Michael Grant (boxer) Michael Grant is a professional heavyweight boxer. He is 6' 7" tall.... , relinquishing his WBA title on the day of the match.
April 1, 2000	October 14, 2000	Chris Byrd Chris Byrd Chris Cornelius Byrd in Flint, Michigan where he attended Flint Northwestern High School is a 6'1" / 185.4 cm. tall Southpaw boxing, who was nicknamed "Rapid Fire"....	WBO
April 29, 2000	April 22, 2001	Lennox Lewis Lennox Lewis Lennox Claudius Lewis, Order of Canada, Order of the British Empire is a retired boxing who won gold for Canada at the Boxing at the 1988 Summer Olympics as an amateur boxing....	IBF & WBC
August 12, 2000	March 3, 2001	Evander Holyfield Evander Holyfield Evander Holyfield is a professional boxing from the United States and a multiple world champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, earning him the nickname "The Real Deal"....	WBA
October 14, 2000	March 8, 2003	Wladimir Klitschko Wladimir Klitschko Wladimir Vladimirovich Klitschko is a Ukraine heavyweight Boxing. Klitschko currently holds the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organization world heavyweight titles and is ranked number one by the International_Boxing_Organization in the top 100 computerized rankings....	WBO
March 3, 2001	March 1, 2003	John Ruiz John Ruiz John ?The Quiet Man" Ruiz , currently residing in Las Vegas metropolitan area is a professional Puerto Rico-United States Boxing and former two-time WBA World Heavyweight champion.....	WBA
April 22, 2001	November 17, 2001	Hasim Rahman Hasim Rahman Hasim "The Rock" Sharif Rahman , is an United States Boxing who became the heavyweight champion of the world by knocking out Lennox Lewis in 2001....	IBF & WBC
November 17, 2001	September 5, 2002¹	Lennox Lewis Lennox Lewis Lennox Claudius Lewis, Order of Canada, Order of the British Empire is a retired boxing who won gold for Canada at the Boxing at the 1988 Summer Olympics as an amateur boxing....	IBF & WBC
Lewis relinquished the IBF title upon receiving payment of $1 million (US) by promoter Don King, who wished to stage a bout between Chris Byrd Chris Byrd Chris Cornelius Byrd in Flint, Michigan where he attended Flint Northwestern High School is a 6'1" / 185.4 cm. tall Southpaw boxing, who was nicknamed "Rapid Fire".... and Evander Holyfield Evander Holyfield Evander Holyfield is a professional boxing from the United States and a multiple world champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, earning him the nickname "The Real Deal".... for the vacant title.
September 5, 2002	February 6, 2004²	Lennox Lewis Lennox Lewis Lennox Claudius Lewis, Order of Canada, Order of the British Empire is a retired boxing who won gold for Canada at the Boxing at the 1988 Summer Olympics as an amateur boxing....	WBC
December 14, 2002	April 22, 2006	Chris Byrd Chris Byrd Chris Cornelius Byrd in Flint, Michigan where he attended Flint Northwestern High School is a 6'1" / 185.4 cm. tall Southpaw boxing, who was nicknamed "Rapid Fire"....	IBF
March 1, 2003	February 20, 2004¹	Roy Jones Jr. Roy Jones Jr. Roy Jones, Jr. is an United States boxer. Jones was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the 1990s by the Boxing Writers Association of America. As a professional he captured IBF championships in the middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight divisions....	WBA
March 8, 2003	October 9, 2003¹	Corrie Sanders Corrie Sanders Cornelius Johannes Sanders is a South African boxer. Known for his fast hands and devastating left, Sanders was the third boxer from the African continent to win a heavyweight title, after fellow countrymen Gerrie Coetzee and Francois Botha....	WBO
February 20, 2004	December 17, 2005	John Ruiz John Ruiz John ?The Quiet Man" Ruiz , currently residing in Las Vegas metropolitan area is a professional Puerto Rico-United States Boxing and former two-time WBA World Heavyweight champion.....	WBA
Ruiz beat Hasim Rahman Hasim Rahman Hasim "The Rock" Sharif Rahman , is an United States Boxing who became the heavyweight champion of the world by knocking out Lennox Lewis in 2001.... on December 13, 2003, to become the WBA's "interim" champion. He was awarded the championship following Roy Jones, Jr.'s announcement that he was relinquishing it to concentrate on lower weight divisions. Ruiz's title reign ended on April 30, 2005, following a loss to James Toney James Toney James "Lights Out" Toney is a professional boxing from Ann Arbor, Michigan.... but ten days later, a drug test on Toney detected he had used products containing nandrolone Nandrolone Nandrolone is an anabolic steroid that may be present naturally in the human anatomy, albeit in minute quantities of less than 0.4 ng/ml. Nandrolone is most commonly sold commercially as its decanoate ester and less commonly as a phenylpropionate ester .... , an anabolic steroid Anabolic steroid Anabolic steroids, or anabolic-androgenic steroids , are a class of steroid hormones related to the hormone testosterone. They increase Protein biosynthesis within cells, which results in the buildup of Cell tissue , especially in muscles.... . Thus, Toney's victory was changed to a 'no contest' by New York New York The State of New York is a U.S. state in the Mid-Atlantic States and Northeastern United States regions of the United States and is the nation's List of U.S.... state athletic commission, and as a result, the WBA World Boxing Association The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title, at the professional level.... declared Ruiz was keeping the title.
April 10, 2004	April 1, 2006	Lamon Brewster Lamon Brewster "Relentless" Lamon Tajuan Brewster is an United States heavyweight professional boxing, who won the silver medal as an amateur at the Boxing at the 1995 Pan American Games in Mar del Plata....	WBO
April 24, 2004	November 9, 2005²	Vitali Klitschko Vitali Klitschko Dr. Vitali Vladimirovich Klitschko born 19 July 1971 in Belovodsk, Kyrgyzstan). Klitschko is a Ukrainian professional heavyweight boxing and the current World Boxing Council heavyweight champion....	WBC
November 9, 2005	August 13, 2006	Hasim Rahman Hasim Rahman Hasim "The Rock" Sharif Rahman , is an United States Boxing who became the heavyweight champion of the world by knocking out Lennox Lewis in 2001....	WBC
Rahman defeated Monte Barrett Monte Barrett Monte Barrett is a professional heavyweight boxer.... on August 13, 2005, to become the WBC's "interim" champion. He was awarded the championship following Vitali Klitschko Vitali Klitschko Dr. Vitali Vladimirovich Klitschko born 19 July 1971 in Belovodsk, Kyrgyzstan). Klitschko is a Ukrainian professional heavyweight boxing and the current World Boxing Council heavyweight champion.... 's announcement that he was retiring due to injury.
December 17, 2005	April 15, 2007	Nikolay Valuev	WBA
April 1, 2006	November 4, 2006	Sergei Liakhovich Sergei Liakhovich Sergei "White Wolf" Liakhovich , born on May 29, 1976, in Vitebsk, Belarus, is a Belarusian people Boxing and a former World Boxing Organization heavyweight boxing champion....	WBO
April 22, 2006	February 23, 2008	Wladimir Klitschko Wladimir Klitschko Wladimir Vladimirovich Klitschko is a Ukraine heavyweight Boxing. Klitschko currently holds the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organization world heavyweight titles and is ranked number one by the International_Boxing_Organization in the top 100 computerized rankings....	IBF
August 13, 2006	March 8, 2008	Oleg Maskaev Oleg Maskaev Oleg Maskaev is a Russian professional boxing and a former World Boxing Council heavyweight champion....	WBC
Maskaev was born in Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Kazakhstan, also Kazakstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a large Eurasian country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the List of countries by area as well as the world's largest landlocked country, it has a territory of 2,727,300 km? .... to Russian parents. He originally held Kazakh citizenship but was granted US citizenship in 2004. In December 2006 he was also granted Russia Russia Russia , or the Russian Federation , is a list of countries spanning more than one continent country extending over much of northern Eurasia.... n citizenship. On September 24, 2007, Samuel Peter Samuel Peter Samuel Okon Peter , nicknamed "The Nigerian Nightmare," is a heavyweight boxing and the former World Boxing Council heavyweight champion. He is considered by many to be one of the strongest punchers in the heavyweight division.... was declared the WBC's "interim" champion. Peter ultimately defeated Maskaev on March 8, 2008.
November 4, 2006	June 2, 2007	Shannon Briggs Shannon Briggs Shannon "The Cannon" Briggs is an United States heavyweight boxing and actor....	WBO
April 15, 2007	July 4, 2008⁴	Ruslan Chagaev Ruslan Chagaev Ruslan Chagaev born October 19, 1978 in Andijan, Uzbek SSR, Soviet Union) is the reigning World Boxing Association heavyweight boxing champion, a title he shares with Russian boxer Nikolai Valuev....	WBA
Chagaev's mandatory title defence against former champion Nicolay Valuev, scheduled for July 5, 2008, had to be cancelled for a second time after Chagaev suffered a complete tear of an Achilles tendon during his training for the fight. Because of the injury and necessary recovery time, the WBA elected to make Chagaev "Champion In Recess" and mandated that top-contenders Valuev and John Ruiz meet for the title of "Active Champion". They set a deadline of June 26, 2009, for Chagaev to fight Valuev to determine who they regard as the "Undisputed Champion".
June 2, 2007	February 23, 2008	Sultan Ibragimov Sultan Ibragimov Sultan Ahmed Magomedsaliovich Ibragimov, is a former WBO heavyweight boxing champion of Caucasian Avars Dagestani Muslim descent....	WBO
February 23, 2008	present	Wladimir Klitschko Wladimir Klitschko Wladimir Vladimirovich Klitschko is a Ukraine heavyweight Boxing. Klitschko currently holds the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organization world heavyweight titles and is ranked number one by the International_Boxing_Organization in the top 100 computerized rankings....	IBF & WBO
March 8, 2008	October 11, 2008	Samuel Peter Samuel Peter Samuel Okon Peter , nicknamed "The Nigerian Nightmare," is a heavyweight boxing and the former World Boxing Council heavyweight champion. He is considered by many to be one of the strongest punchers in the heavyweight division....	WBC
August 30, 2008	present	Nikolay Valuev	WBA
Following Ruslan Chagaev's victory over Carl Davis Drumond Carl Davis Drumond Carl Davis Drumond, is a boxing who fights in the heavyweight division.... on February 7, 2009, Valuev is now regarded by the WBA as "Co-Champion" along with Chagaev. Valuev had been regarded as "Active Champion" upon beating John Ruiz on August 30, 2008, whilst Chagaev had been "Champion In Recess". They are scheduled to fight no later than June 26, 2009, to determine who the WBA regard as the "Undisputed Champion".
October 11, 2008	present	Vitali Klitschko Vitali Klitschko Dr. Vitali Vladimirovich Klitschko born 19 July 1971 in Belovodsk, Kyrgyzstan). Klitschko is a Ukrainian professional heavyweight boxing and the current World Boxing Council heavyweight champion....	WBC
February 7, 2009⁵	present	Ruslan Chagaev Ruslan Chagaev Ruslan Chagaev born October 19, 1978 in Andijan, Uzbek SSR, Soviet Union) is the reigning World Boxing Association heavyweight boxing champion, a title he shares with Russian boxer Nikolai Valuev....	WBA
Following Chagaev's victory over Carl Davis Drumond Carl Davis Drumond Carl Davis Drumond, is a boxing who fights in the heavyweight division.... on February 7, 2009, he is now regarded by the WBA as "Co-Champion" along with Nikolay Valuev. By beating John Ruiz on August 30, 2008, Valuev had become "Active Champion" whilst Chagaev was regarded as "Champion In Recess". They are scheduled to fight no later than June 26, 2009, to determine who the WBA regard as the "Undisputed Champion".

Footnotes

Relinquished championship title.
Retired as champion, relinquishing title.
Championship recognition withdrawn by sanctioning organization due to champion's failure or refusal to defend title against the organization's #1 ranked contender.
Status as champion changed from "Active Champion" to "Champion In Recess".
Status reverted back from "Champion In Recess" to "Active Champion".

List of heavyweight boxing champions

Championship recognition

1885–1910

1910–1961

Championship awarding organizations

1961–present

Championship awarding organizations

Footnotes

Sources

See also