Longest reigning heavyweight champions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search

Below is a list of longest reigning heavyweight champions in boxing measured by the individual's longest reign. Career total time as champion (for multiple time champions) does not apply.

Name Title Reign Title Recognition Successful Defenses
1. United States Joe Louis 11 years, 8 months, 8 days Universal 25
2. United States Larry Holmes 7 years, 3 months, 12 days WBC-to-IBF (+The Ring/Lineal) 20
3. United States Jack Dempsey 7 years, 2 months, 19 days Universal 5
4. Ukraine Wladimir Klitschko 22 April 2006 - present IBF (+WBA, WBO, The Ring) 14
5. United States John L. Sullivan 7 years, 0 months, 9 days Universal 4
6. United States Jack Johnson 6 years, 3 months, 10 days Universal 8
7. United States James J. Jeffries 5 years, 11 months, 4 days Universal 7
8. United States Joe Frazier 4 years, 10 months, 18 days NYAC (+WBA, WBC) 9
9. Ukraine Vitali Klitschko 11 October 2008 – present WBC 9
10. United States James J. Corbett 4 years, 6 months, 10 days Universal 1
11. United States Jess Willard 4 years, 2 months, 29 days Universal 1
12. United Kingdom Lennox Lewis 4 years, 2 months, 15 days WBC (+IBF, WBA stripped, The Ring/Lineal) 9
13. United States Rocky Marciano 3 years, 11 months, 29 days Universal 6
14. United States Chris Byrd 3 years, 4 months, 8 days IBF 4
15. United States Muhammad Ali 3 years, 3 months, 16 days The Ring/Lineal, (+WBA, WBC stripped) 10
16. United States Mike Tyson 3 years, 2 months, 20 days WBC (+WBA, IBF, The Ring/Lineal) 9
17. United States George Foreman 3 years, 0 months, 17 days Lineal (+WBA, IBF stripped) 3
18. United States Evander Holyfield 3 years, 0 months, 4 days WBA (+IBF) 4
19. Canada Tommy Burns 2 years, 10 months, 3 days Universal 11
20. United States Michael Spinks 2 years, 9 months, 6 days The Ring/Lineal (+IBF stripped) 3

Unofficial Long Title reigns [edit]

The following title reigns are not recognized as official reigns due to: long periods of inactivity, legitimacy of title, false billing & promotion etc.

Name Title Reign Title Recognition Successful Defenses
N/A Ukraine Vitali Klitschko 24 April 2004 – present Full WBC-to-WBC Emeritus-to-Full WBC (+The Ring stripped) 11
N/A United States Muhammad Ali 7 years, 0 months, 11 days The Ring/Lineal 11
N/A United States James Toney 4 Years, 5 months, 14 days IBA/IBU 3
N/A Denmark Brian Nielsen 3 years, 7 months, 20 days IBO 5

Key [edit]

     Active Title Reign
     Reign has ended

External links [edit]