List of light heavyweight boxing champions
Encyclopedia
This is a chronological List of World Light Heavyweight Boxing Champions, as recognized by four of the better-known sanctioning organizations:
journalist Lou Houseman who was also a boxing manager and promoter. He matched his own fighter Jack Root
with Kid McCoy
and announced the fight as being for the light-heavyweight championship of the world. The boxing press accepted the new weight division and Root was accepted as the inaugural world champion. Jack Root was defeated in his first title defense against George Gardner (boxer), who was considered the most thrilling fighter in the division, and the first undisputed Light - Heavyweight Champion of the World.
During the 1980s, however, some boxing historians found records indicating that Joe Choynski
won a twenty-round decision over Jimmy Ryan on August 18, 1899, in a fight billed as being for the light heavyweight championship. Choynski never seems to have made any claim to be the first light heavyweight champion.
1903–1910
The light-heavyweight division was created in 1903, the brainchild of ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
journalist Lou Houseman who was also a boxing manager and promoter. He matched his own fighter 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.-Light heavyweight championship claim:...
with Kid McCoy
Kid McCoy
Charles "Kid" McCoy, who was born Norman Selby was an American world champion boxer.-Overview:Born in Moscow, Rush County, Indiana, McCoy would eventually weigh 160 pounds, stand 5' 11", and go on to a record 81 wins...
and announced the fight as being for the light-heavyweight championship of the world. The boxing press accepted the new weight division and Root was accepted as the inaugural world champion. Jack Root was defeated in his first title defense against George Gardner (boxer), who was considered the most thrilling fighter in the division, and the first undisputed Light - Heavyweight Champion of the World.
During the 1980s, however, some boxing historians found records indicating that Joe Choynski
Joe Choynski
Joseph Bartlett "Joe" Choynski was an American boxer who fought professionally from 1888 to 1904.-Boxing career:"Chrysanthemum Joe", the son of a Polish immigrant that settled in California in 1867, weighed no more than 176 lb throughout his career but regularly fought heavyweights. He was...
won a twenty-round decision over Jimmy Ryan on August 18, 1899, in a fight billed as being for the light heavyweight championship. Choynski never seems to have made any claim to be the first light heavyweight champion.
Championship awarding organizations
- The International Boxing Union (IBU), formed in Paris in 1910. Changed name to European Boxing UnionEuropean Boxing UnionThe European Boxing Union is an organization that oversees competition in that sport over the continent of Europe.-History:The EBU started life as the International Boxing Union in Paris in 1910...
in 1946. It organised world title fights from 1913 to 1963 after which it was incorporated into the World Boxing CouncilWorld Boxing CouncilThe World Boxing Council was initially established 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...
(WBC). - The New York State Athletic CommissionNew York State Athletic CommissionThe 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, boxers, professional wrestlers, seconds, ring officials,...
(NYSAC), formed in 1920. It organised world title bouts until the early 1970s when it became a member of World Boxing CouncilWorld Boxing CouncilThe World Boxing Council was initially established 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...
(WBC). - The National Boxing Association (NBA) formed in the USA in 1921.
Championship awarding organizations
- The World Boxing AssociationWorld Boxing AssociationThe World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
(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 CouncilWorld Boxing CouncilThe World Boxing Council was initially established 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...
(WBC), founded in 1963. - The International Boxing FederationInternational Boxing FederationThe International Boxing Federation or IBF is one of four major organizations recognized by IBHOF which sanction world championship boxing bouts, alongside the WBA, WBC and WBO.- History :...
(IBF), founded in 1983. - The World Boxing OrganizationWorld Boxing OrganizationThe World Boxing Organization is a sanctioning organization currently recognizing professional boxing world champions. The organization is recognized as one of the four major world championship groups by the IBHOF alongside the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Council and the...
(WBO), founded in 1988.
| Reign Began | Reign Ended | Champion | Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|||
| 1903-04-22 | 1903-07-04 | 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.-Light heavyweight championship claim:... (Austria) |
World |
| 1903-07-04 | 1903-11-25 | George Gardiner George Gardiner (boxer) George Gardner , was a famous Irish-born American boxer who was the first undisputed Light - Heavyweight Champion of the World. He held claims to both the World Middleweight Title as well as the World Heavyweight Title. Gardner is one of the biggest names in boxing history and one of the most... (Ireland)) |
World |
| 1903-11-25 | 1905-12-20 | Bob Fitzsimmons Bob Fitzsimmons Robert James "Bob" Fitzsimmons , was a British boxer who 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 John L. Sullivan, and is in The Guinness Book of World Records as the Lightest heavyweight... (Great Britain) |
World |
| 1905-12-20 | 1905-12-20-Vacated | Philadelphia Jack O'Brien Philadelphia Jack O'Brien Joseph Francis Hagan was light heavyweight boxing champion of the world.-Biography:... (USA) |
World |
| 1913-02-17 | 1913-02-17 | Bob Moha Bob Moha Bob Moha was a Milwaukee-based middleweight boxer, nicknamed the "Milwaukee Caveman".-Career:His decisive defeat of Billy Papke at a bout in Boston on October 31, 1910, caused Papke to retire briefly from the ring.On December 4, 1914,... (USA) |
NYSAC |
| 1914-04-14 | 1916-10-24 | Jack Dillon Jack Dillon Ernest Cutler Price was light heavyweight boxing champion of the world.-Personal:... (USA) |
World |
| 1916-10-24 | 1920-10-12 | Battling Levinsky Battling Levinsky Barney Williams , was light heavyweight boxing champion of the world from 1916 to 1920.-Boxing career:... (USA) |
World |
| 1920-10-12 | 1922-09-24 | Georges Carpentier Georges Carpentier Georges Carpentier was a French boxer. He fought mainly as a light heavyweight and heavyweight in a career lasting from 1908-26. Nicknamed the "Orchid Man", he stood and his fighting weight ranged from... (France) |
World |
| 1922-09-24 | 1923-03-17 | Battling Siki Battling Siki Battling Siki , aka Louis Mbarick Fall, was a French light heavyweight boxer born in Senegal who fought from 1912–1925, and briefly reigned as the lineal light heavyweight champion after knocking out Georges Carpentier... (France/Senegal) |
World |
| 1923-03-17 | 1923-06-25 | Mike McTigue Mike McTigue "Bold" Mike McTigue was the light heavyweight boxing champion of the world from 1923-1925.... (Ireland) |
World |
| 1923-08-02 | 1925-05-30 | Mike McTigue Mike McTigue "Bold" Mike McTigue was the light heavyweight boxing champion of the world from 1923-1925.... (Ireland) |
World |
| 1925-05-30 | 1926-07-16 | Paul Berlenbach (USA) | World |
| 1926-07-16 | 1927-07-27-Vacated | Jack Delaney Jack Delaney Jack Delaney was a former light heavyweight boxing champion of the world and contender for the heavyweight crown... (USA) |
World |
| 1927-08-30 | 1927-12-12 | Jimmy Slattery Jimmy Slattery James Edward Slattery was a professional boxer in the Light Heavyweight division. James Edward Slattery (born August 25, 1904 in Buffalo, NY - died August 30, 1960) was a professional boxer in the Light Heavyweight (175lb) division. James Edward Slattery (born August 25, 1904 in Buffalo, NY -... (USA) |
NBA |
| 1927-10-07 | 1929-07-18-Vacated | Tommy Loughran Tommy Loughran Thomas Patrick Loughran was the light heavyweight boxing champion of the world.Loughran's effective use of coordinated foot work, sound defense and swift, accurate counter punching is now regarded as a precursor to the techniques practiced in modern boxing... (USA) |
NYSAC |
| 1930-02-10 | 1930-06-25 | Jimmy Slattery Jimmy Slattery James Edward Slattery was a professional boxer in the Light Heavyweight division. James Edward Slattery (born August 25, 1904 in Buffalo, NY - died August 30, 1960) was a professional boxer in the Light Heavyweight (175lb) division. James Edward Slattery (born August 25, 1904 in Buffalo, NY -... (USA) |
World |
| 1930-06-25 | 1930-10-22-Vacated | Maxie Rosenbloom Maxie Rosenbloom Max Everitt Rosenbloom, known as Slapsie Maxie was an American boxer, actor, and television personality.-Life and career:... (USA) |
World |
| 1930-06-25 | 1934-11-16 | Maxie Rosenbloom Maxie Rosenbloom Max Everitt Rosenbloom, known as Slapsie Maxie was an American boxer, actor, and television personality.-Life and career:... (USA) |
NYSAC |
| 1932-03-18 | 1932-12-17-Stripped | George Nichols George Nichols (boxer) George Nichols won the NBA light heavyweight title by defeating Dave Maier on March 18, 1932, in the 10-round championship match of a tournament held at Chicago Stadium to determine a successor to Maxie Rosenbloom.... (USA) |
World |
| Awarded the title | 1933-03-01 | Joe Knight Joe Knight (boxer) Joe Knight, also known as Cairo Calamity was an American boxer born in Cairo, GA.-Professional career:... (USA) |
World |
| 1933-03-01 | 1933-03-24 | Bob Godwin Bob Godwin Bob Godwin , was an American boxer.- Pro career :Gardiner turned pro in 1930 and captured the National Boxing Association World light heavyweight title in 1933 with a points win over Joe Knight... (USA) |
World |
| 1933-03-24 | 1934-11-16 | Maxie Rosenbloom Maxie Rosenbloom Max Everitt Rosenbloom, known as Slapsie Maxie was an American boxer, actor, and television personality.-Life and career:... (USA) |
World |
| 1934-11-16 | 1935-10-31 | Bob Olin Bob Olin Robert Lous "Bob" Olin was an American boxer.He won the World Light Heavyweight Championship.-Boxing career:In 1928 Olin won the New York City Golden Gloves Open Championship... (USA) |
World |
| 1935-10-31 | 1938-10-28-Vacated | John Henry Lewis John Henry Lewis John Henry Lewis was an African American boxer who was the world Light Heavyweight champion from 1935 to 1939.One interesting fact of his is that Lewis was managed by a gambler and racketeer of the 1930s: Gus Greenlee, a man who became very important to baseball's Negro Leagues as a commissioner... (USA) |
World |
| 1939-02-03 | 1939-07-13 | Melio Bettina Melio Bettina Melio Bettina was a professional boxer.-Amateur career:Bettina won the 1935 Intercity Golden Gloves at light-heavyweight by decision over Tony Zale.-Pro career:... (Italy) |
NYSAC |
| 1939-07-13 | 1940-06-05-Retired | Billy Conn Billy Conn William David Conn , better known as Billy Conn, was an American Light-Heavyweight boxing champion famed for his fights with Joe Louis. He had a professional boxing record of 63 wins, 11 losses and 1 draw, with 14 wins by knockout... (USA) |
World - NBA/NYSAC |
| 1941-01-13 | 1941-05-22 | Anton Christoforidis Anton Christoforidis Anton Christoforidis was a Greek light heavyweight boxer.Christoforidis was born in Messenia prefecture, Greece. His first bout was against Francisco Garcia Lluch in Paris, France which he won by decision. He made his United States debut on January 5, 1940 in Madison Square Garden defeating... (Greece) |
NBA |
| 1941-05-22 | 1941-11-14 | Gus Lesnevich Gus Lesnevich Gustav George Lesnevich was an American boxer. Lesnevich was born and raised in Cliffside Park, New Jersey.... (USA) |
NBA |
| 1946-05-14 | 1948-07-26 | Gus Lesnevich Gus Lesnevich Gustav George Lesnevich was an American boxer. Lesnevich was born and raised in Cliffside Park, New Jersey.... (USA) |
World |
| 1948-07-26 | 1950-01-24 | Freddie Mills Freddie Mills Freddie Mills, was an English boxer, who was the world light heavyweight boxing champion from 1948 to 1950. He was born in Poole, England.- Early life :... (Great Britain) |
World |
| 1950-01-24 | 1952-12-17 | Joey Maxim Joey Maxim Giuseppe Antonio Berardinelli was an American boxer. He was a light heavyweight champion of the world. He took the ring-name Joey Maxim from the Maxim gun, the world's first self-acting machine gun, based on his ability to rapidly throw a large number of left jabs.-Early career:Maxim was born in... (USA) |
World |
| 1952-12-17 | 1961-06-10-Vacated | Archie Moore Archie Moore Archie Moore, born Archibald Lee Wright , was light heavyweight world boxing champion who had one of the longest professional careers in the history of that sport.... (USA) |
World - NBA/NYSAC |
| 1961-02-07 | 1962-05-12 | Harold Johnson Harold Johnson (boxer) Harold Johnson , is a former professional boxer.Johnson was born in Roxborough, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He won his first twenty-four fights before losing a ten round decision to Archie Moore, who would be Johnson's biggest career rival... (USA) |
NBA |
| 1962-05-12 | 1963-06-01 | Harold Johnson Harold Johnson (boxer) Harold Johnson , is a former professional boxer.Johnson was born in Roxborough, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He won his first twenty-four fights before losing a ten round decision to Archie Moore, who would be Johnson's biggest career rival... (USA) |
World |
| 1963-06-01 | 1965-03-30 | Willie Pastrano Willie Pastrano Wilfred Raleigh Pastrano was a light heavyweight boxer who held the world crown from 1963 until 1965.-Early life:... (USA) |
WBA/WBC |
| 1965-03-30 | 1966-12-16 | José Torres José Torres José Torres , was a Puerto Rican professional boxer. As an amateur boxer, he won a silver medal in the junior middleweight at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne. In 1965, he defeated Willie Pastrano to win the WBC and WBA light heavyweight championships... (Puerto Rico) |
WBA/WBC |
| 1966-12-16 | 1968-05-24 | Dick Tiger Dick Tiger Dick Tiger CBE was a boxer from Ubahu village, Amaigbo, Nigeria, who emigrated to Liverpool and later to the United States of America. Tiger was a member of the Igbo ethnic group... (Nigeria) |
WBA/WBC |
| Title Split into WBA and WBC Belts | |||
|
|
|||
| Title inaugurated | |||
| 1963-06-01 | 1965-03-30 |  Willie PastranoWillie Pastrano Wilfred Raleigh Pastrano was a light heavyweight boxer who held the world crown from 1963 until 1965.-Early life:... |
WBC |
| 1965-05-30 | 1966-12-16 |  Jose TorresJosé Torres José Torres , was a Puerto Rican professional boxer. As an amateur boxer, he won a silver medal in the junior middleweight at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne. In 1965, he defeated Willie Pastrano to win the WBC and WBA light heavyweight championships... |
WBC |
| 1966-12-16 | 1968-05-24 |  Dick TigerDick Tiger Dick Tiger CBE was a boxer from Ubahu village, Amaigbo, Nigeria, who emigrated to Liverpool and later to the United States of America. Tiger was a member of the Igbo ethnic group... |
WBC |
| 1968-05-24 | 1974-06-17-Vacated | Bob Foster |
WBC |
| 1974-10-01 | 1977-05-21-Stripped |  John ContehJohn Conteh John Conteh is a British former boxer who was world light-heavyweight boxing champion.Conteh is one of Britain's most successful boxing champions. At his peak in the mid to late 1970s he was considered good enough that he was touted as a possible opponent of Muhammad Ali... |
WBC |
| 1977-05-21 | 1978-01-07 |  Miguel Angel CuelloMiguel Angel Cuello Miguel Angel Cuello was a professional boxer in the light heavyweight division.- Amateur career :... |
WBC |
| 1978-01-07 | 1978-12-02 |  Mate ParlovMate Parlov Mate Parlov was a Croatian boxer, and an Olympic gold medalist for former Yugoslavia. As a professional, he won the European light heavyweight title in 1976 and WBC light heavyweight world title in 1978.... |
WBC |
| 1978-12-02 | 1979-04-22 | Marvin Johnson Marvin Johnson Marvin Johnson is a former boxer from the United States, who fought in the 1972 Olympics in Munich, winning a bronze medal, and made his way up the professional ranks in the light heavyweight division soon thereafter... |
WBC |
| 1979-04-22 | 1981-12-19 | Matthew Saad Muhammad Matthew Saad Muhammad Matthew Saad Muhammad is a former boxer who was the world's light heavyweight champion.Saad Muhammad's mother died when he was an infant, and he and his elder brother were sent to live with an aunt. When he was five, his aunt could not afford to look after both of them and she instructed Saad... |
WBC |
| 1981-12-19 | 1983-03-18 | Dwight Muhammad Qawi Dwight Muhammad Qawi Dwight Muhammad Qawi is a former world boxing champion in the light heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions... |
WBC |
| 1983-03-18 | 1985-06-06-Vacated | Michael Spinks Michael Spinks Michael Spinks is a retired American boxer who was a world champion in the light-heavyweight and heavyweight divisions... |
WBC |
| 1985-12-10 | 1986-04-30 | JB Williamson |
WBC |
| 1986-04-30 | 1987-03-07 | Dennis Andries Dennis Andries Dennis Andries was a British professional boxer in the light heavyweight division.Andries turned pro in 1978 and won the WBC Light Heavyweight Title in 1986 in a decision over American JB Williamson. He defended the title once against fellow Briton Tony Sibson before losing the belt in 1987 to... |
WBC |
| 1987-03-07 | 1987-Vacated | Thomas Hearns Thomas Hearns Thomas "Hitman" Hearns is a retired American boxer. Nicknamed the "Motor City Cobra" and more famously "The Hitman", Hearns became the first boxer in history to win world titles in four divisions. He would also become the first fighter in history to win five world titles in five different divisions... |
WBC |
| 1987-11-27 | 1988-11-07 |  Donny LalondeDonny Lalonde Donny Lalonde is a retired professionalboxer. His nickname is "Golden Boy," after the Golden Boy statue atop the Manitoba Legislative Building in his boxing home town of Winnipeg. Lalonde held the WBC Light Heavyweight Championship from 1987 to 1988.-Early life:Lalonde was one of four children... |
WBC |
| 1988-11-07 | 1989-Vacated | Sugar Ray Leonard Sugar Ray Leonard Sugar Ray Leonard is an American retired professional boxer and occasional actor. He was named Ray Charles Leonard, after his mother's favorite singer, Ray Charles... |
WBC |
| 1989-02-21 | 1989-06-24 | Dennis Andries Dennis Andries Dennis Andries was a British professional boxer in the light heavyweight division.Andries turned pro in 1978 and won the WBC Light Heavyweight Title in 1986 in a decision over American JB Williamson. He defended the title once against fellow Briton Tony Sibson before losing the belt in 1987 to... |
WBC |
| 1989-06-24 | 1990-07-28 |  Jeff HardingJeff Harding Jeff Harding is an American actor from New England most famed for his narration of popular books into audio format. Notably, he has read The Da Vinci Code, The Bourne Identity, Kane and Abel and Secrets Of The Code... |
WBC |
| 1990-07-28 | 1991-09-11 | Dennis Andries Dennis Andries Dennis Andries was a British professional boxer in the light heavyweight division.Andries turned pro in 1978 and won the WBC Light Heavyweight Title in 1986 in a decision over American JB Williamson. He defended the title once against fellow Briton Tony Sibson before losing the belt in 1987 to... |
WBC |
| 1991-09-11 | 1994-07-23 | Jeff Harding Jeff Harding (boxer) Jeff Harding was a world champion boxer from Australia, known as "Hit Man". Jeff lived in South Grafton N.S.W. Australia and was a student at South Grafton High School... |
WBC |
| 1994-07-23 | 1995-06-16 |  Mike McCallumMike McCallum Mike McCallum is a retired boxer. Nicknamed "The Body Snatcher" for his fierce body punching. McCallum won world titles in three weight classes.-Amateur career:Claimed an amateur record of 240-10... |
WBC |
| 1995-06-16 | 1997-03-Vacated |  Fabrice TiozzoFabrice Tiozzo Fabrice Tiozzo is a retired professional boxer in the light heavyweight division. His record is 48-2 .Tiozzo was a two time light heavyweight champion as well as a one time cruiserweight champion.... |
WBC |
| 1997-03 | 1997-03-21 | Roy Jones Jr |
WBC |
| 1997-03-21 | 1997-08-07 | Montell Griffin Montell Griffin Montell Julian Griffin is an American boxer. He is best known for his two bouts at Light Heavyweight with Roy Jones Jr.- Professional career :... |
WBC |
| 1997-08-07 | 2003-03-01-Vacated | Roy Jones Jr |
WBC |
| 1998-03-21 | 2000-04-15 |  Graciano RocchigianiGraciano Rocchigiani Graciano "Rocky" Rocchigiani , is a former German professional boxer who held world titles in the super middleweight and light heavyweight divisions.-Professional career:... |
WBC (Restored Champion) |
| 2003-04-23 | 2003-11-08 | Antonio Tarver Antonio Tarver Antonio Deon Tarver , nicknamed the "Magic Man", is a professional boxer from Orlando, Florida and the former WBC, WBA, IBF, & The Ring light heavyweight champion.... |
WBC |
| 2003-11-08 | 2004-05-15 | Roy Jones Jr |
WBC |
| 2004-05-15 | 2004-12-Stripped | Antonio Tarver Antonio Tarver Antonio Deon Tarver , nicknamed the "Magic Man", is a professional boxer from Orlando, Florida and the former WBC, WBA, IBF, & The Ring light heavyweight champion.... |
WBC |
| 2005-05-21 | 2007-02-03 |  Tomasz AdamekTomasz Adamek Tomasz Adamek is a Polish professional heavyweight boxer. His record is 44-2 .He is the former WBC world light heavyweight champion and the former IBF, IBO and The Ring magazine cruiserweight champion. As of the end of 2009, Ring Magazine has ranked Adamek as the 30th best boxer in the world... |
WBC |
| 2007-02-03 | 2008-07-11-Stripped | Chad Dawson Chad Dawson "Bad" Chad Dawson is an American boxer from Hartsville, South Carolina, USA, and the former WBC & IBF light heavyweight champion. Dawson is rated by The Ring Magazine as the number four Light Heavyweight boxer in the world.-Early life:... |
WBC |
| 2008-07-11 | 2009-06-19 |  Adrian DiaconuAdrian Diaconu Adrian Diaconu is a Romanian professional boxer, living and fighting out of Montreal, Quebec, Canada... |
WBC |
| 2009-06-19 | 2011-05-21 | Jean Pascal Jean Pascal Jean-Thenistor Pascal is a Canadian professional boxer. He is the former WBC, IBO and Ring magazine light heavyweight champion of the world.-Early life:... |
WBC |
| 2011-05-21 | Current | Bernard Hopkins Bernard Hopkins Bernard Hopkins Jr, known as The Executioner is an American boxer and the current Ring Magazine and WBC light heavyweight champion... |
WBC |
|
|
|||
| Title inaugurated | |||
| 1963-06-01 | 1965-03-30 | Willie Pastrano Willie Pastrano Wilfred Raleigh Pastrano was a light heavyweight boxer who held the world crown from 1963 until 1965.-Early life:... |
WBA |
| 1965-03-30 | 1966-12-16 | Jose Torres José Torres José Torres , was a Puerto Rican professional boxer. As an amateur boxer, he won a silver medal in the junior middleweight at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne. In 1965, he defeated Willie Pastrano to win the WBC and WBA light heavyweight championships... |
WBA |
| 1966-12-16 | 1968-05-24 | Dick Tiger Dick Tiger Dick Tiger CBE was a boxer from Ubahu village, Amaigbo, Nigeria, who emigrated to Liverpool and later to the United States of America. Tiger was a member of the Igbo ethnic group... |
WBA |
| 1968-05-24 | 1970-12-09-Stripped | Bob Foster |
WBA |
| 1971-02-27 | 1972-04-07 |  Vicente RondonVicente Rondon Vicente Paúl Rondón was a former WBA light heavyweight boxing world champion.- Personal background :Rondon was born in extreme poverty in Río Chico, Miranda, Venezuela, and decided to escape his poor surroundings by enlisting in the Venezuelan military at an early age.- Professional career :When... |
WBA |
| 1972-04-07 | 1974-09-16-Vacated | Bob Foster |
WBA |
| 1974-12-07 | 1978-09-15 | Victor Galindez Víctor Galíndez Víctor Emilio Galíndez was an Argentine boxer who was the third Latin American to win the world Light Heavyweight championship, after Puerto Rico's José Torres and Venezuela's Vicente Rondon.Galíndez was born in Vedia in the Leandro N... |
WBA |
| 1978-09-15 | 1979-04-14 | Mike Rossman Mike Rossman Mike Rossman is an American former world champion boxer. He is of Jewish/Italian origin, which led to his monikers "The Kosher Butcher" and "The Jewish Bomber." He finished his professional boxing career in 1983 with a record of 44–7–3, with 27 knockouts.-Life and career:Rossman was born in... |
WBA |
| 1979-04-14 | 1979-11-30 | Victor Galindez Víctor Galíndez Víctor Emilio Galíndez was an Argentine boxer who was the third Latin American to win the world Light Heavyweight championship, after Puerto Rico's José Torres and Venezuela's Vicente Rondon.Galíndez was born in Vedia in the Leandro N... |
WBA |
| 1979-11-30 | 1980-03-31 | Marvin Johnson Marvin Johnson Marvin Johnson is a former boxer from the United States, who fought in the 1972 Olympics in Munich, winning a bronze medal, and made his way up the professional ranks in the light heavyweight division soon thereafter... |
WBA |
| 1980-03-31 | 1981-07-18 | Eddie Mustafa Muhammad Eddie Mustafa Muhammad Eddie Mustafa Muhammad is a retired American boxer.- Amateur career :Boxing under his birth name, Eddie Gregory, Muhammad won two New York Golden Gloves Championships. Gregory won both the 1971 and the 1972 New York Golden Gloves 147 lb Open Championships... |
WBA |
| 1981-07-18 | 1985-09-21-Vacated | Michael Spinks Michael Spinks Michael Spinks is a retired American boxer who was a world champion in the light-heavyweight and heavyweight divisions... |
WBA |
| 1986-02-09 | 1987-05-23 | Marvin Johnson Marvin Johnson Marvin Johnson is a former boxer from the United States, who fought in the 1972 Olympics in Munich, winning a bronze medal, and made his way up the professional ranks in the light heavyweight division soon thereafter... |
WBA |
| 1987-05-23 | 1987-09-05 | Leslie Stewart Leslie Stewart Leslie Matthew Stewart was an Trinidadian boxer.-Professional career:Known as "Laventille Tiger", Stewart turned professional in 1982 and challenged for the Vacant WBA Light Heavyweight Title in 1986, but was TKO'd by Marvin Johnson when the bout was stopped on cuts... |
WBA |
| 1987-09-05 | 1991-06-03 | Virgil Hill |
WBA |
| 1991-06-03 | 1992-03-20 | Thomas Hearns Thomas Hearns Thomas "Hitman" Hearns is a retired American boxer. Nicknamed the "Motor City Cobra" and more famously "The Hitman", Hearns became the first boxer in history to win world titles in four divisions. He would also become the first fighter in history to win five world titles in five different divisions... |
WBA |
| 1992-03-20 | 1992-Vacated | Iran Barkley Iran Barkley Iran Barkley is a retired American professional boxer who held world titles at three different weights—middleweight , super middleweight and light heavyweight .- Professional career :... |
WBA |
| 1992-09-29 | 1997-06-13 | Virgil Hill |
WBA |
| 1997-06-13 | 1997-07-01-Vacated | Dariusz Michalczewski Dariusz Michalczewski Dariusz Michalczewski is a retired Polish- German boxer and former Lineal, WBO, WBA, & IBF light heavyweight champion and WBO cruiserweight champion.-Early career:... |
WBA |
| 1997-09-20 | 1998-07-18 | Lou Del Valle Lou Del Valle Louis Del Valle is an American boxer and the formner WBA light heavyweight title holder. He received some of his training at the Morris Park Boxing Club in the Van Nest section of the Bronx... |
WBA |
| 1998-07-18 | 2004-05-15 | Roy Jones Jr |
WBA Super Champion |
| 2001-12-22 | 2003-03-08 | Bruno Girard Bruno Girard Bruno Girard was a French boxer at super middleweight and light heavyweight.The light-hitting Girard turned pro in 1991 and challenged Byron Mitchell for WBA Super Middleweight Title in 1999, in his first US fight... |
WBA Regular Champion |
| 2003-03-08 | 2003-10-10 | Mehdi Sahnoune Mehdi Sahnoune Mehdi Sahnoune is a French boxer at light heavyweight.Known as "Kounet", Sahnoune turned pro in 1997 and challenged WBA Light Heavyweight Title holder Bruno Girard in 2003, winning the belt by TKO. He lost the belt in his first defense to Silvio Branco later that year... |
WBA Regular Champion |
| 2003-10-10 | 2004-03-20 |  Silvio BrancoSilvio Branco Silvio Branco is a professional boxer in the light heavyweight division. His record is 59-9-2 .- Career :... |
WBA Regular Champion |
| 2004-03-20 | 2006-10-19-Retired | Fabrice Tiozzo Fabrice Tiozzo Fabrice Tiozzo is a retired professional boxer in the light heavyweight division. His record is 48-2 .Tiozzo was a two time light heavyweight champion as well as a one time cruiserweight champion.... |
WBA Regular Champion |
| 2004-05-15 | 2004-12-Stripped | Antonio Tarver Antonio Tarver Antonio Deon Tarver , nicknamed the "Magic Man", is a professional boxer from Orlando, Florida and the former WBC, WBA, IBF, & The Ring light heavyweight champion.... |
WBA Super Champion |
| 2006-10-19 | 2007-04-28 | Silvio Branco Silvio Branco Silvio Branco is a professional boxer in the light heavyweight division. His record is 59-9-2 .- Career :... |
WBA |
| 2007-04-28 | 2007-12-16 | Stipe Drvis Stipe Drviš Stipe Drews, birth name Stipe Drviš , is a Croatian professional boxer. He lost the WBA's version of the World light heavyweight championship title to Australian Danny Green on the 16th of December 2007.- Amateur career :... |
WBA |
| 2007-12-16 | 2008-03-25-Retired | Danny Green Danny Green Daniel "Danny" Green is an Australian professional boxer and the former IBO cruiserweight champion.- Amateur boxing career and the Olympics :... |
WBA |
| 2008-07-03 | 2009-06-20 | Hugo Garay Hugo Garay Hugo Hernán Garay is a light heavyweight boxer from Argentina-Career:Garay won the silver medal in Buenos Aires World Junior Championships in 1998. In the 1999 Pan American Games, he won the bronze medal in the men's light-heavyweight category.Garay represented Argentina at the 2000 Summer Olympics... |
WBA |
| 2009-06-20 | 2010-01-29 |  Gabriel CampilloGabriel Campillo Gabriel Campillo is a professional boxer from Spain. He resides in Madrid, Spain. His nickname is "Chico Guapo". His professional record includes 21 fights: 18 wins , 2 loss and 1 no-contest. He won the WBA light heavyweight title from Argentinian Hugo Hernán Garay on June 20, 2009... |
WBA |
| 2010-01-29 | Current |  Beibut ShumenovBeibut Shumenov Beibut Shumenov, is a Kazakh professional boxer who fights in the light heavyweight division. He is the current WBA Light Heavyweight Champion.-Amateur career:Shumenov represented Kazakhstan in the 2004 Summer Olympics... |
WBA |
|
|
|||
| Title inaugurated | |||
| 1984-02-25 | 1985-09-21-Vacated | Michael Spinks Michael Spinks Michael Spinks is a retired American boxer who was a world champion in the light-heavyweight and heavyweight divisions... |
IBF |
| 1985-12-21 | 1986-09-06 |  Slobodan KacarSlobodan Kacar Slobodan Kačar is a retired Bosnian Serb boxer, born in Perućica near Jajce in Bosnia and Herzegovina, then SFR Yugoslavia. He won the Light Heavyweight Gold medal for Yugoslavia at the 1980 Summer Olympics. In the same year, Kačar was named as the best athlete of Yugoslavia... |
IBF |
| 1986-09-06 | 1987-10-29 | Bobby Czyz Bobby Czyz Robert Edward "Bobby" Czyz is a retired American boxer. A New Jersey native of mostly Polish and Italian descent, he is both a former world light heavyweight and cruiserweight champion.Czyz was born in Orange, New Jersey... |
IBF |
| 1987-10-29 | 1993-03-20 | Charles Williams Charles Williams (boxer) Charles Williams , was a professional boxer in the Light Heavyweight division.Williams, known as "Prince" Charles, turned pro in 1978 and in 1987 he captured the IBF Light Heavyweight Title by TKO'ing Bobby Czyz in the 9th round. He defended the title eight times before losing the title to Henry... |
IBF |
| 1993-03-20 | 1996-11-23 | Henry Maske Henry Maske Henry Maske is a German boxer, one of Germany's most popular sports figures.-Amateur career:Maske was an Olympic Gold Medalist 1988 in Seoul for East Germany... |
IBF |
| 1996-11-23 | 1997-06-13 | Virgil Hill |
IBF |
| 1997-06-13 | 1997-06-16-Vacated | Dariusz Michalczewski Dariusz Michalczewski Dariusz Michalczewski is a retired Polish- German boxer and former Lineal, WBO, WBA, & IBF light heavyweight champion and WBO cruiserweight champion.-Early career:... |
IBF |
| 1997-07-19 | 1998-02-06 | William Guthrie William Guthrie William Douglas Guthrie is a professional boxer in the cruiserweight division.-Early life:... |
IBF |
| 1998-02-06 | 1999-06-05 | Reggie Johnson |
IBF |
| 1999-06-05 | 2003-03-01-Vacated | Roy Jones Jr |
IBF |
| 2003-04-26 | 2003-11-08-Stripped | Antonio Tarver Antonio Tarver Antonio Deon Tarver , nicknamed the "Magic Man", is a professional boxer from Orlando, Florida and the former WBC, WBA, IBF, & The Ring light heavyweight champion.... |
IBF |
| 2004-02-06 | 2004-12-Vacated | Glen Johnson Glen Johnson (boxer) Glengoffe Donovan Johnson is a professional boxer. Nicknamed Gentleman and The Road Warrior, Johnson is the former IBF and Ring magazine light heavyweight champion.-Amateur career:... |
IBF |
| 2005-03-04 | 2008-04-12 | Clinton Woods Clinton Woods Clinton Woods , is a retired professional boxer from Sheffield, England. He is the former IBF, European, British, & Commonwealth light heavyweight champion.... |
IBF |
| 2008-04-12 | 2008-10-11 | Antonio Tarver Antonio Tarver Antonio Deon Tarver , nicknamed the "Magic Man", is a professional boxer from Orlando, Florida and the former WBC, WBA, IBF, & The Ring light heavyweight champion.... |
IBF |
| 2008-10-11 | 2009-05-27-Vacated | Chad Dawson Chad Dawson "Bad" Chad Dawson is an American boxer from Hartsville, South Carolina, USA, and the former WBC & IBF light heavyweight champion. Dawson is rated by The Ring Magazine as the number four Light Heavyweight boxer in the world.-Early life:... |
IBF |
| 2009-08-28 | current | Tavoris Cloud Tavoris Cloud Tavoris Karod Cloud is an American professional boxer born in Tallahassee, Florida, USA, and the current IBF light heavyweight champion.-Early life:... |
IBF |
|
|
|||
| Title inaugurated | |||
| 1988-12-03 | 1990-12-15-Vacated | Michael Moorer Michael Moorer Michael Lee Moorer is a retired American boxer who is a former light heavyweight and heavyweight World Champion.-Biography:Moorer is a native of Monessen, Pennsylvania, which is in Southwestern Pennsylvania.-Professional career:... |
WBO |
| 1991-05-09 | 1994-09-10 | Leeonzer Barber Leeonzer Barber Leeonzer Barber was a professional boxer in the light heavyweight division.- Professional career :Barber turned pro in 1986 and won the Vacant WBO Light Heavyweight Title with a TKO win over Tom Collins in 1991... |
WBO |
| 1994-09-10 | 2003-10-18 | Dariusz Michalczewski Dariusz Michalczewski Dariusz Michalczewski is a retired Polish- German boxer and former Lineal, WBO, WBA, & IBF light heavyweight champion and WBO cruiserweight champion.-Early career:... |
WBO |
| 2003-10-18 | 2004-01-17 |  Julio César GonzálezJulio Cesar Gonzalez Julio César González Ibarra is a Mexican boxer and the former Lineal & WBO light heavyweight champion.Gonzalez was born in Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, and still claims Mexico as his native country although he has lived in the United States for several years... |
WBO |
| 2004-01-17 | 2009-11-Vacated |  Zsolt ErdeiZsolt Erdei Zsolt Erdei is a Hungarian boxer in the light heavyweight division. He is the former undefeated Lineal & WBO light heavyweight champion, and WBC cruiserweight champion. Erdei is also the first Hungarian to win a world title in two weight divisions.Erdei boxed at the 2000 Summer Olympics... |
WBO |
| 2009-11-13 | 2011-05-19-Stripped | Jürgen Brähmer |
WBO |
| 2011-05-19 | Current | Nathan Cleverly Nathan Cleverly Nathan Cleverly is a British professional boxer from Wales and current WBO light heavyweight world champion. He is also the former European, British and Commonwealth light heavyweight champion... |
WBO |