This is a list of current male world boxing champions. Since at least John L. Sullivan, in the late 19th century, there have been world champions in professional boxing. The first of the current organizations to award a world title was the World Boxing Association (WBA), then known as the National Boxing Association (NBA), when it sanctioned its first title fight in 1921 between Jack Dempsey and Georges Carpentier for the world heavyweight championship.
There are now four major sanctioning bodies in professional boxing. The official rules and regulations of the World Boxing Association (WBA),[1] World Boxing Council (WBC),[2] International Boxing Federation (IBF),[3] and World Boxing Organization (WBO)[4] all recognize each other in their rankings and title unification rules. Each of these organizations sanction and regulate championship bouts and award world titles. American boxing magazine The Ring began awarding world titles in 1922.
There are 18 weight divisions. To compete in a division, a boxer's weight must not exceed the upper limit. Manny Pacquiao has won world championships in eight weight divisions, more than any other boxer in history. The Klitschko brothers, Vitali and Wladimir, held all four major titles in the heavyweight division from 2011 to 2013; they were the first brothers to hold versions of the heavyweight championship at the same time.[5]
Championships
When a champion, for reasons beyond his control such as an illness or injury, is unable to defend his title within the normal mandatory time, the sanctioning bodies may order an interim title bout and award the winner an interim championship. The WBA and WBC have often changed the status of their inactive champions to a "Champion in Recess" or "Champion Emeritus".
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association (WBA) was founded in 1921 as the National Boxing Association (NBA), a national regulating body of the United States. On August 23, 1962, the NBA became the WBA, which today has its head office in Panama.[6] According to WBA championship rules, when a champion also holds a title of one of the other three major sanctioning bodies in an equivalent weight division, that boxer is granted a special recognition of "Unified Champion", and is given more time between mandatory title defenses. The WBA Championships Committee and President may also designate a champion as a "Super Champion" or "Undisputed Champion" in exceptional circumstances;[1] the standard WBA title is then vacated and contested between WBA-ranked contenders. When a WBA "Regular Champion" makes between five and ten successful defenses, he may be granted the WBA "Super" title upon discretion of a vote of the WBA's board of governors.
World Boxing Council
The World Boxing Council (WBC) was founded in Mexico City, Mexico, on February 14, 1963, to establish an international regulating body.[7] The WBC established many of today's safety measures in boxing, such as the standing eight count,[8] a limit of 12 rounds instead of 15, and additional weight divisions. More information about the WBC's other titles including "Silver", "Diamond", "Emeritus", "Franchise", "Honorary", and "Supreme Champion" can be read at the WBC article.
International Boxing Federation
The International Boxing Federation (IBF) originated in September 1976 as the United States Boxing Association (USBA) when American members of the WBA withdrew to legitimize boxing in the United States with "unbiased" ratings.[9] In April 1983, the organization established an international division that was known as the United States Boxing Association-International (USBA-I).[9] In May 1984, the New Jersey–based USBA-I was renamed and became the IBF.[9]
World Boxing Organization
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) was founded in San Juan, Puerto Rico (which is a self-governing commonwealth of the United States) in 1988. In its early years the WBO's titles were not widely recognized. By 2012 when the Japan Boxing Commission officially recognized the governing body, it had gained similar status to the other three major sanctioning bodies. Its motto is "dignity, democracy, honesty."[10] When a WBO champion has reached "preeminent status", the WBO's Executive Committee may designate him as a "Super Champion".[11] However, this is only an honorary title and not the same as the WBA's policy of having separate "Super" and "Regular" champions. A WBO "Super Champion" cannot win or lose that recognition in the ring; it is merely awarded by the WBO.
The Ring
The boxing magazine The Ring awards its own belts. The original title sequence began from the magazine's first publication in the 1920s until its titles were placed on hiatus in 1989, continuing as late as 1992 in some divisions. When The Ring started awarding titles again in 2001, it did not calculate retrospective lineages to fill in the gap years, instead nominating a new champion.[12][13]
In 2007, The Ring was acquired by the owners of fight promoter Golden Boy Promotions,[14] which has publicized The Ring's world championships when they are at stake in fights it promotes (such as Joe Calzaghe vs. Roy Jones Jr. in 2008).[15] Since 2012, to reduce the number of vacant titles, The Ring allows fights between a number one or two contender; or alternatively a number three, four, or five contender to fill a vacant title. This has prompted further doubts about its credibility.[16][17][18] Some boxing journalists have been extremely critical of the new championship policy and state that if this new policy is followed, the Ring title may lose the credibility it once held.[19][20][21]
Current champions
The current champions in each weight division are listed below. Each champion's professional boxing record is shown in the following format: wins – losses – draws – no contests (knockout wins).
Heavyweight (+200 lb/+90.7 kg or +224 lb/+101.6 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
| Oleksandr Usyk Super champion 22–0 (14 KO) September 25, 2021 |
Oleksandr Usyk 22–0 (14 KO) May 18, 2024 |
Daniel Dubois 22–2 (21 KO) June 26, 2024 |
Oleksandr Usyk 22–0 (14 KO) September 25, 2021 |
Oleksandr Usyk 22–0 (14 KO) August 20, 2022 |
| Mahmoud Charr Regular champion 34–4 (20 KO) August 31, 2023 |
Joseph Parker Interim champion 35–3 (23 KO) March 8, 2024 |
Bridgerweight (224 lb/101.6 kg)
| WBA | WBC |
| Muslim Gadzhimagomedov 5–0 (3 KO) July 12, 2024 |
Kevin Lerena 30–3 (14 KO) October 8, 2024 |
Cruiserweight/Junior heavyweight (200 lb/90.7 kg or 190 lb/86.2 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
| Gilberto Ramírez 46–1 (30 KO) March 30, 2024 |
Noel Mikaelian 27–2 (12 KO) November 4, 2023 |
Jai Opetaia 26–0 (20 KO) May 18, 2024 |
Chris Billam-Smith 20–1 (13 KO) May 27, 2023 |
Jai Opetaia 26–0 (20 KO) July 2, 2022 |
Light heavyweight (175 lb/79.9 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
| Artur Beterbiev Super champion 21–0 (20 KO) October 12, 2024 |
Artur Beterbiev 21–0 (20 KO) October 18, 2019 |
Artur Beterbiev 21–0 (20 KO) November 11, 2017 |
Artur Beterbiev 21–0 (20 KO) June 18, 2022 |
Artur Beterbiev 21–0 (20 KO) October 12, 2024 |
| David Morrell Regular champion 11–0 (9 KO) August 3, 2024 |
David Benavidez Interim champion 29–0 (24 KO) June 15, 2024 |
Joshua Buatsi Interim champion 19–0 (13 KO) September 21, 2024 |
Super middleweight (168 lb/76.2 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
| Canelo Álvarez Super champion 62–2–2 (39 KO) December 19, 2020 |
Canelo Álvarez 62–2–2 (39 KO) December 19, 2020 |
William Scull 23–0 (9 KO) October 19, 2024 |
Canelo Álvarez 62–2–2 (39 KO) May 8, 2021 |
Canelo Álvarez 62–2–2 (39 KO) December 19, 2020 |
| Caleb Plant Interim champion 23–2 (14 KO) September 14, 2024 |
Middleweight (160 lb/72.6 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
| Erislandy Lara 31–3–3 (19 KO) May 1, 2021 |
Carlos Adames 24–1 (18 KO) May 7, 2024 |
Janibek Alimkhanuly 16–0 (11 KO) October 14, 2023 |
Janibek Alimkhanuly 16–0 (11 KO) August 26, 2022 |
vacant |
Super welterweight/Junior middleweight (154 lb/69.9 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
| Terence Crawford 41–0 (31 KO) August 3, 2024 |
Sebastian Fundora 21–1–1 (13 KO) March 30, 2024 |
Bakhram Murtazaliev 23–0 (17 KO) April 6, 2024 |
Sebastian Fundora 21–1–1 (13 KO) March 30, 2024 |
vacant |
| Vergil Ortiz Jr. Interim champion 22-0 (21 KO) August 10, 2024 |
Terence Crawford Interim champion 41–0 (31 KO) August 3, 2024 |
Welterweight (147 lb/66.7 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
| Eimantas Stanionis 15–0–0-1 (9 KO) August 30, 2024 |
Mario Barrios 28–2 (18 KO) June 18, 2024 |
Jaron Ennis 30–0–0–1 (28 KO) November 9, 2023 |
Brian Norman Jr. 26–0–0-2 (20 KO) August 12, 2024 |
vacant |
Super lightweight/Junior welterweight (140 lb/63.5 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
| José Valenzuela 14–2 (9 KO) August 3, 2024 |
Alberto Puello 23–0 (10 KO) June 24, 2024 |
Liam Paro 25–0 (15 KO) June 16, 2024 |
Teofimo Lopez 21–1 (13 KO) June 10, 2023 |
Teofimo Lopez 21–1 (13 KO) June 10, 2023 |
Lightweight (135 lb/61.2 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
| Gervonta Davis 30–0 (28 KO) November 29, 2023 |
Shakur Stevenson 21–0 (10 KO) November 16, 2023 |
Vasiliy Lomachenko 18–3 (12 KO) May 12, 2024 |
Denys Berinchyk 19–0 (9 KO) May 19, 2024 |
vacant |
Super featherweight/Junior lightweight (130 lb/59 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
| Lamont Roach Jr. 25–1–1 (10 KO) November 25, 2023 |
O'Shaquie Foster 23–3 (12 KO) November 2, 2024 |
Anthony Cacace 22–1 (7 KO) May 18, 2024 |
Emanuel Navarrete 38–2–1 (31 KO) August 12, 2023 |
vacant |
| Albert Batyrgaziev Interim champion 10–0 (7 KO) July 12, 2024 |
Óscar Valdez Interim champion 32–2 (24 KO) March 29, 2024 |
Featherweight (126 lb/57.2 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
| Nick Ball 21–0–1 (12 KO) June 1, 2024 |
Brandon Figueroa 25–1–1 (19 KO) October 18, 2024 |
Angelo Leo 25–1 (12 KO) August 10, 2024 |
Rafael Espinoza 25–0 (21 KO) December 9, 2023 |
vacant |
Super bantamweight/Junior featherweight (122 lb/55.3 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
| Naoya Inoue Super champion 28–0 (25 KO) December 26, 2023 |
Naoya Inoue 28–0 (25 KO) July 25, 2023 |
Naoya Inoue 28–0 (25 KO) December 26, 2023 |
Naoya Inoue 28–0 (25 KO) July 25, 2023 |
Naoya Inoue 28–0 (25 KO) December 26, 2023 |
Bantamweight (118 lb/53.5 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
| Seiya Tsutsumi 12–0–2 (8 KO) October 13, 2024 |
Junto Nakatani 29–0 (22 KO) February 24, 2024 |
Ryosuke Nishida 9–0 (1 KO) May 4, 2024 |
Yoshiki Takei 10–0 (8 KO) May 6, 2024 |
vacant |
Super flyweight/Junior bantamweight (115 lb/52.2 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
| Fernando Martínez 17–0 (9 KO) July 7, 2024 |
Jesse Rodriguez 20–0 (13 KO) June 29, 2024 |
Fernando Martínez 17–0 (9 KO) February 26, 2022 |
Phumelele Cafu 11–0–3 (8 KO) October 14, 2024 |
Jesse Rodriguez 20–0 (13 KO) June 29, 2024 |
| David Jiménez Interim champion 16–1 (11 KO) April 20, 2024 |
Pedro Guevara Interim champion 42–4 (22 KO) May 12, 2024 |
Flyweight (112 lb/50.8 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
| Seigo Yuri Akui 21–2–1 (11 KO) January 23, 2024 |
Kenshiro Teraji 24–1 (15 KO) October 13, 2024 |
Ángel Ayala 18–0 (8 KO) August 9, 2024 |
Anthony Olascuaga 7–1–0–1 (5 KO) July 20, 2024 |
vacant |
Light flyweight/Junior flyweight (108 lb/49 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
| vacant | vacant | Masamichi Yabuki 17–4 (16 KO) October 12, 2024 |
Shokichi Iwata 13–1 (10 KO) October 13, 2024 |
vacant |
Minimumweight/Mini flyweight/Strawweight (105 lb/47.6 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
| Knockout CP Freshmart Super champion 25–0 (9 KO) June 29, 2016 |
Melvin Jerusalem 23–3 (12 KO) March 31, 2024 |
Pedro Taduran 17–4–1 (13 KO) July 28, 2024 |
Oscar Collazo 10–0 (7 KO) May 27, 2023 |
vacant |
See also
- List of WBA world champions
- List of WBC world champions
- List of IBF world champions
- List of WBO world champions
- List of The Ring world champions
- List of current female world boxing champions
- List of undefeated world boxing champions (retired only)
- List of undisputed world boxing champions
- List of current boxing rankings
References
- ^ a b "Rules of World Boxing Association" (PDF). World Boxing Association. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
- ^ "World Boxing Council Rules and Regulations" (PDF). World Boxing Council. Retrieved January 6, 2011.
- ^ "IBF/USBA Rules Governing Championship Contests" (PDF). International Boxing Federation. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 14, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
- ^ "World Boxing Organization Regulations of World Championship Contests". World Boxing Organization. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
- ^ Lewis, Ron (October 13, 2008). "Vitali Klitschko impressive in comeback victory". The Times. Retrieved January 6, 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "World Boxing Association History". World Boxing Association. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
- ^ "World Boxing Council". World Boxing Council. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
- ^ "Rules that have changed the History of Boxing". World Boxing Council. Archived from the original on September 25, 2007. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
- ^ a b c "History of the IBF". International Boxing Federation. December 4, 2000. Archived from the original on December 4, 2000. Retrieved June 6, 2006.
- ^ "WBO logo". World Boxing Organization. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
- ^ "WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests" (PDF). World Boxing Organization. Section 14.
- ^ "Boxing News : The Disputed Light Heavyweight Champion of the World". October 15, 2004. Archived from the original on October 15, 2004. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- ^ DeLisa, Mike (August 2004). "What the CBZ Means When it Refers to "Lineal Championships"". The CBZ Journal. cyberboxingzone.
- ^ "Golden Boy Enterprises' Subsidiary, Sports and Entertainment Publications, LLC, Acquires The Ring Magazine, KO, World Boxing and Pro Wrestling Illustrated". Golden Boy Promotions. September 12, 2007. Archived from the original on November 19, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2008.
- ^ Kimball, George (April 27, 2008). "Calzaghe claim far from undisputed". Boston Herald. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
- ^ "Chat with Dan Rafael". Espn.go.com. Archived from the original on May 6, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- ^ The Horrible New Ring Magazine Championship Policy – Queensberry Rules Archived May 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Ring Magazine's pretend rankings upgrade 'championship' policy". Theboxingtribune.com. May 4, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- ^ "Chat: Chat with Dan Rafael - SportsNation". Espn.com. Archived from the original on May 6, 2012.
- ^ [1] Archived May 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Ring Magazine's pretend rankings upgrade 'championship' policy". Theboxingtribune.com.