World heavyweight boxing championship records and statistics

At the beginnings of boxing, the heavyweight division had no weight limit and the category historically has been vaguely defined. In the 19th century, for example, many heavyweight champions weighed 170 pounds (12 st 2 lb, 77 kg) or less (although others weighed 200 pounds). The first heavyweight champion under the Marquess of Queensberry rules was John L. Sullivan, known as "The Boston Strong Boy". He weighed around 200 pounds when in shape and was a bare-knuckle champion. He was defeated by Jim Corbett on September 7, 1892, in 21 rounds. In 1920, the minimum weight for a heavyweight was set at 175 pounds (12 st 7 lb, 79 kg), which today is the light heavyweight division maximum. Since 1980, for most boxing organizations, the maximum weight for a cruiserweight has been 200 pounds. Boxers who weigh 200 pounds and over (14 st 3 lb, 90 kg) are considered heavyweights by the major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Association, the World Boxing Council, and the World Boxing Organization.

Since the 1960s, the heavyweight title has become fractured amongst various sanctioning organizations, and so what was once known as the single "Heavyweight Champion", is now referred to as the "Undisputed Champion" as the one fighter that has defeated all the other titlists. However, there is no officially declared definition of the term, as major boxing organizations refer to all boxers holding at least two world titles in their respective division as Unified champions. Some title reigns are not recognized as official reigns due to long periods of inactivity, legitimacy of title, false billing and promotion. In March 1967, Muhammad Ali was systematically denied a boxing license in every state and stripped of his passport because of his refusal to be inducted into the armed forces. He was stripped of WBC and WBA titles but remained The Ring and lineal boxing champion, despite not having a boxing match until October 1970. In 2005, Ukrainian boxer Vitali Klitschko retired as WBC Champion. Following his retirement, the WBC conferred "champion emeritus" status on Klitschko, and assured him he would become the mandatory challenger if and when he decided to return. On August 3, 2008 the WBC awarded Klitschko a chance to regain his WBC Heavyweight title against then-champion Samuel Peter. Vitali regained the title after Peter asked the bout be stopped after the eighth round.

Championship recognition

All champions (as od Oct. 2018)

1884–1910

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. For an early example, see the 1896 World Heavyweight Championship.

Sanctioning organizations: 1910–present

Gradually, the role of recognizing champions in the division evolved into a more formal affair, with public acclamation being supplemented (or in some cases, contradicted) by recognition by one or more athletic commissions, sanctioning organizations, or a combination of them. The most notable examples with respect to the heavyweight division have included:

• The International Boxing Union (IBU), which was formed in Paris in 1910. The organization would become the European Boxing Union in 1946, but would recognize "world" champions in various divisions until it subordinated itself in that area to the World Boxing Council.
• The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC). A governmental entity initially formed for the purpose of regulating boxing in the State of New York, thanks to New York's place as the epicenter of boxing from the 1930s through 1950s, the NYSAC expanded its reach to sanctioning championship bouts. This practice continued until, like the IBU, the NYSAC became a member of the World Boxing Council (WBC).
• The National Boxing Association (NBA) was organized in 1921. In 1962, the organization was renamed the World Boxing Association (WBA).
• The World Boxing Council (WBC) was organized in 1963.
• The International Boxing Federation (IBF), which was founded in 1983 by the members of the United States Boxing Association after the USBA withdrew from membership in the WBA.
• The World Boxing Organization (WBO), which was founded in 1989 by disgruntled members of the World Boxing Council.

There are also titles that aren't considered major but play a significant role in legitimizing the heavyweight champion:

• Lineal championship was considered as the only form of the world championship until 1921. In professional boxing, the lineal champion is informally called "the man who beat the man", implying that the only way to win the championship is either to beat the current champion or (when the title is vacated due to suspension, retirement etc.) to become the winner of a fight between No. 1 and No. 2 (occasionally No. 3) ranked contenders.
• The Ring began awarding championship belts in 1922, stopped giving belts to world champions in the 1990s, then reintroduced their title in 2002, and ignored the current ongoing world championship lineage. Under the original version of the policy, you could win the title by either defeating the reigning champion or winning a box-off between the magazine's No. 1 and No. 2 (occasionally No. 3) ranked contenders. A fighter could not be stripped of the title unless he lost or retired. Since May 2012, under the new policy, The Ring title can be awarded when the No. 1 and No. 2 contenders face each other or when either of them faces No. 3, No. 4 or No. 5 contender. In addition, the title can be taken away by losing the fight, not scheduling a fight for 18 months, not scheduling a fight with a top 5 contender for two years, or retiring.

Most opponents beaten in title fights

• 
  Wladimir Klitschko
• 
  Joe Louis
• 
  Muhammad Ali
• 
  Larry Holmes
• 
  Lennox Lewis
• 
  Vitali Klitschko
• 
  Mike Tyson
• 
  Evander Holyfield

These lists do not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after 1921, although they only include heavyweight champions that have also captured The Ring or lineal title.

Keys:

  Active title reign

  Reign has ended

Note 1: WBA (Regular) champions are not included

Note 2: WBO heavyweight title bouts before August 1997 are not included

The Ring/lineal championships + all other reigns

Pos.	Name	Reign began-ended	Recognition	Beaten opponents
1.	Wladimir Klitschko	1. October 14, 2000 — March 8, 2003 2. April 22, 2006 — November 28, 2015	1. WBO 2. IBF, WBO, WBA	23
2.	Joe Louis	June 22, 1937 — March 1, 1949	NYSAC, NBA	22
3.	Muhammad Ali	1. February 25, 1964 – March 11, 1969 2. October 30, 1974 — February 15, 1978 3. September 15, 1978 — October 18, 1979	1. WBA, WBC 2. WBA, WBC 3. WBA	21
4.	Larry Holmes	June 9, 1978 — September 21, 1985	WBC, IBF	20
5.	Lennox Lewis	1. December 14, 1992 — September 24, 1994 2. February 7, 1997 — April 22, 2001 3. November 17, 2001 — February 6, 2004	1. WBC 2. WBC, WBA, IBF 3. WBC, IBF	15
5.	Vitali Klitschko	1. June 26, 1999 — April 1, 2000 2. April 24, 2004 — November 9, 2005 3. October 11, 2008 — December 15, 2013	1. WBO 2. WBC 3. WBC	15
7.	Mike Tyson	1. November 22, 1986 — February 11, 1990 2. March 16, 1996 — November 9, 1996	1. WBC, WBA, IBF 2. WBC, WBA	11
8.	Joe Frazier	March 4, 1968 — January 22, 1973	NYSAC, WBA, WBC	10
9.	Evander Holyfield	1. October 25, 1990 — November 13, 1992 2. November 6, 1993 — April 22, 1994 3. November 9, 1996 — November 13, 1999 4. August 12, 2000 — March 3, 2001	1. WBC, WBA, IBF 2. WBA, IBF 3. WBA, IBF 4. WBA	9
9.	Tommy Burns	February 23, 1906 — December 26, 1908	lineal	9
11.	Ezzard Charles	September 27, 1950 — July 18, 1951	NBA, NYSAC	8
12.	Floyd Patterson	1. November 30, 1956 — June 26, 1959 2. June 20, 1960 — September 25, 1962	NYSAC, NBA	7
12.	Jack Johnson	December 26, 1908 — April 5, 1915	lineal	7
13.	James J. Jeffries	June 9, 1899 — May 13, 1905	lineal	6
13.	Jack Dempsey	July 4, 1919 — September 23, 1926	lineal-to-NBA and NYSAC	6
15.	Rocky Marciano	September 23, 1952 — April 27, 1956	NYSAC, NBA	5

The Ring/lineal championships, unified championships, victories over champions

The list only includes title reigns during which the champion:

• has won The Ring/lineal championship
• unified the titles
• defeated a fighter that either had to drop his own world title prior to the fight due to organization's championship policy or would later become the world champion whilst the winner's reign was still active

As of July 15, 2024.

Pos.	Name	Reign began-ended	Recognition	Beaten champions	Beaten opponents
1.	Wladimir Klitschko	1. October 14, 2000 — March 8, 2003 2. April 22, 2006 — November 28, 2015	1. WBO 2. unified + The Ring, lineal	1. Chris Byrd, IBF	23
2.	Joe Louis	June 22, 1937 — March 1, 1949	NYSAC, NBA + The Ring, lineal		22
3.	Muhammad Ali	1. February 25, 1964 – March 11, 1969 2. October 30, 1974 — February 15, 1978 3. September 15, 1978 — October 18, 1979	1. unified + The Ring, lineal 2. unified + The Ring, lineal 3. WBA + The Ring, lineal		21
4.	Larry Holmes	June 9, 1978 — September 21, 1985	WBC-to-IBF + The Ring, lineal	Mike Weaver, WBA	20
5.	Lennox Lewis	1. February 7, 1997 — April 22, 2001 2. November 17, 2001 — February 6, 2004	1. unified + The Ring, lineal 2. unified + The Ring, lineal	1. Evander Holyfield, WBA	12
6.	Mike Tyson	1. November 22, 1986 — February 11, 1990 2. March 16, 1996 — November 9, 1996	1. unified + lineal 2. unified		11
7.	Joe Frazier	March 4, 1968 — January 22, 1973	unified + The Ring, lineal		10
8.	Tommy Burns	February 23, 1906 — December 26, 1908	lineal		9
9.	Evander Holyfield	1. October 25, 1990 — November 13, 1992 2. November 6, 1993 — April 22, 1994 3. November 9, 1996 — November 13, 1999	1. unified + lineal 2. unified + lineal 3. unified		8
9.	Ezzard Charles	September 27, 1950 — July 18, 1951	NBA, NYSAC + The Ring, lineal		8
11.	Floyd Patterson	1. November 30, 1956 — June 26, 1959 2. June 20, 1960 — September 25, 1962	NYSAC, NBA + The Ring, lineal		7
11.	Jack Johnson	December 26, 1908 — April 5, 1915	lineal		7
11.	James J. Jeffries	June 9, 1899 — May 13, 1905	lineal		7
14.	Jack Dempsey	July 4, 1919 — September 23, 1926	NYSAC, NBA + The Ring, lineal		6
15.	Rocky Marciano	September 23, 1952 — April 27, 1956	NYSAC, NBA + The Ring, lineal		5

The Ring/lineal championships, "interim" championships

The list only includes title reigns during which the champion have won The Ring/lineal championship or was ranked by the magazine as the top contender for The Ring/lineal title by the end of the year:

• ranked №1 with active The Ring/lineal champion,
• ranked №1/№2 if both titles are vacant
• ranked №2 if the lineal champion is already ranked №1 and The Ring title is vacant/deactivated

As of July 15, 2024.

Pos.	Name	Reign began-ended	Recognition	Beaten opponents
1.	Wladimir Klitschko	1. October 14, 2000 — March 8, 2003 2. April 22, 2006 — November 28, 2015	1. WBO + №1 contender by The Ring 2. WBA, WBO, IBF + The Ring, lineal	23
2.	Joe Louis	June 22, 1937 — March 1, 1949	NYSAC, NBA + The Ring, lineal	22
3.	Muhammad Ali	1. February 25, 1964 – March 11, 1969 2. October 30, 1974 — February 15, 1978 3. September 15, 1978 — October 18, 1979	1. WBA, WBC + The Ring, lineal 2. WBA, WBC + The Ring, lineal 3. WBA + The Ring, lineal	21
4.	Larry Holmes	June 9, 1978 — September 21, 1985	WBC, IBF + The Ring, lineal	20
5.	Lennox Lewis	1. December 14, 1992 — September 24, 1994 2. February 7, 1997 — April 22, 2001 3. November 17, 2001 — February 6, 2004	1. WBC + №1 contender by The Ring 2. WBC, WBA, IBF + The Ring, lineal 3. WBC, IBF + The Ring, lineal	15
6.	Vitali Klitschko	1. April 24, 2004 — November 9, 2005 2. October 11, 2008 — December 15, 2013	1. WBC + The Ring 2. WBC + №1 contender by The Ring	12
7.	Mike Tyson	November 22, 1986 — February 11, 1990	WBC, WBA, IBF + lineal	10
7.	Joe Frazier	March 4, 1968 — January 22, 1973	NYSAC, WBA, WBC + The Ring, lineal	10
9.	Tommy Burns	February 23, 1906 — December 26, 1908	lineal	9
10.	Evander Holyfield	1. October 25, 1990 — November 13, 1992 2. November 6, 1993 — April 22, 1994 3. November 9, 1996 — November 13, 1999	1. WBC, WBA, IBF + lineal 2. WBA, IBF + lineal 3. WBA, IBF + №1 contender by The Ring	8
10.	Ezzard Charles	September 27, 1950 — July 18, 1951	NBA, NYSAC + The Ring, lineal	8
12.	Floyd Patterson	1. November 30, 1956 — June 26, 1959 2. June 20, 1960 — September 25, 1962	NYSAC, NBA + The Ring, lineal	7
12.	Jack Johnson	December 26, 1908 — April 5, 1915	lineal	7
14.	James J. Jeffries	June 9, 1899 — May 13, 1905	lineal	6
14.	Jack Dempsey	July 4, 1919 — September 23, 1926	NYSAC, NBA + The Ring, lineal	6

Most wins in title fights

These lists do not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after 1921, although they only include heavyweight champions that have also captured The Ring or lineal title.

Keys:

  Active title reign

  Reign has ended

Note 1: WBA (Regular) champions are not included

Note 2: WBO heavyweight title bouts before August 1997 are not included

The Ring/lineal championships + all other reigns

Pos.	Name	Reign began-ended	Recognition	Title fight wins
1.	Joe Louis	June 22, 1937 — March 1, 1949	NYSAC, NBA	27
2.	Wladimir Klitschko	1. October 14, 2000 — March 8, 2003 2. April 22, 2006 — November 28, 2015	1. WBO 2. IBF, WBO, WBA	25
3.	Muhammad Ali	1. February 25, 1964 – March 11, 1969 2. October 30, 1974 — February 15, 1978 3. September 15, 1978 — October 18, 1979	1. WBA, WBC 2. WBA, WBC 3. WBA	22
4.	Larry Holmes	June 9, 1978 — September 21, 1985	WBC, IBF	20
5.	Lennox Lewis	1. December 14, 1992 — September 24, 1994 2. February 7, 1997 — April 22, 2001 3. November 17, 2001 — February 6, 2004	1. WBC 2. WBC, WBA, IBF 3. WBC, IBF	15
5.	Vitali Klitschko	1. June 26, 1999 — April 1, 2000 2. April 24, 2004 — November 9, 2005 3. October 11, 2008 — December 15, 2013	1. WBO 2. WBC 3. WBC	15
7.	Mike Tyson	1. November 22, 1986 — February 11, 1990 2. March 16, 1996 — November 9, 1996	1. WBC, WBA, IBF 2. WBC, WBA	12
8.	Tommy Burns	February 23, 1906 — December 26, 1908	lineal	11
9.	Joe Frazier	March 4, 1968 — January 22, 1973	NYSAC, WBA, WBC	10
9.	Evander Holyfield	1. October 25, 1990 — November 13, 1992 2. November 6, 1993 — April 22, 1994 3. November 9, 1996 — November 13, 1999 4. August 12, 2000 — March 3, 2001	1. WBC, WBA, IBF 2. WBA, IBF 3. WBA, IBF 4. WBA	10
11.	Ezzard Charles	September 27, 1950 — July 18, 1951	NBA, NYSAC	9
12.	Floyd Patterson	1. November 30, 1956 — June 26, 1959 2. June 20, 1960 — September 25, 1962	NYSAC, NBA	8
12.	James J. Jeffries	June 9, 1899 — May 13, 1905	lineal	8
14.	Jack Johnson	December 26, 1908 — April 5, 1915	lineal	7
14.	Rocky Marciano	September 23, 1952 — April 27, 1956	NYSAC, NBA	7

The Ring/lineal championships, unified championships, victories over champions

The list only includes title reigns during which the champion:

• has won The Ring/lineal championship
• unified the titles
• defeated a fighter that either had to drop his own world title prior to the fight due to organization's championship policy or would later become the world champion whilst the winner's reign was still active

As of July 15, 2024.

Pos.	Name	Reign began-ended	Recognition	Beaten champions	Title fight wins
1.	Joe Louis	June 22, 1937 — March 1, 1949	NYSAC, NBA + The Ring, lineal		27
2.	Wladimir Klitschko	1. October 14, 2000 — March 8, 2003 2. April 22, 2006 — November 28, 2015	1. WBO 2. unified + The Ring, lineal	1. Chris Byrd, IBF	25
3.	Muhammad Ali	1. February 25, 1964 – March 11, 1969 2. October 30, 1974 — February 15, 1978 3. September 15, 1978 — October 18, 1979	1. unified + The Ring, lineal 2. unified + The Ring, lineal 3. WBA + The Ring, lineal		22
4.	Larry Holmes	June 9, 1978 — September 21, 1985	WBC-to-IBF + The Ring, lineal	Mike Weaver, WBA	20
5.	Lennox Lewis	1. February 7, 1997 — April 22, 2001 2. November 17, 2001 — February 6, 2004	1. unified + The Ring, lineal 2. unified + The Ring, lineal	1. Evander Holyfield, WBA	12
6.	Mike Tyson	1. November 22, 1986 — February 11, 1990 2. March 16, 1996 — November 9, 1996	1. unified + lineal 2. unified		12
7.	Tommy Burns	February 23, 1906 — December 26, 1908	lineal		11
8.	Joe Frazier	March 4, 1968 — January 22, 1973	unified + The Ring, lineal		10
9.	Evander Holyfield	1. October 25, 1990 — November 13, 1992 2. November 6, 1993 — April 22, 1994 3. November 9, 1996 — November 13, 1999	1. unified + lineal 2. unified + lineal 3. unified		9
9.	Ezzard Charles	September 27, 1950 — July 18, 1951	NBA, NYSAC + The Ring, lineal		9
11.	Floyd Patterson	1. November 30, 1956 — June 26, 1959 2. June 20, 1960 — September 25, 1962	NYSAC, NBA + The Ring, lineal		8
11.	James J. Jeffries	June 9, 1899 — May 13, 1905	lineal		8
13.	Jack Johnson	December 26, 1908 — April 5, 1915	lineal		7
13.	Rocky Marciano	September 23, 1952 — April 27, 1956	NYSAC, NBA + The Ring, lineal		7
14.	Jack Dempsey	July 4, 1919 — September 23, 1926	NYSAC, NBA + The Ring, lineal		6

The Ring/lineal championships, "interim" championships

The list only includes title reigns during which the champion have won The Ring/lineal championship or was ranked by the magazine as the top contender for The Ring/lineal title by the end of the year:

• ranked №1 with active The Ring/lineal champion,
• ranked №1/№2 if both titles are vacant
• ranked №2 if the lineal champion is already ranked №1 and The Ring title is vacant/deactivated

As of July 15, 2024.

Pos.	Name	Reign began-ended	Recognition	Title fight wins
1.	Joe Louis	June 22, 1937 — March 1, 1949	NYSAC, NBA + The Ring, lineal	27
2.	Wladimir Klitschko	1. October 14, 2000 — March 8, 2003 2. April 22, 2006 — November 28, 2015	1. WBO + №1 contender by The Ring 2. WBA, WBO, IBF + The Ring, lineal	25
3.	Muhammad Ali	1. February 25, 1964 – March 11, 1969 2. October 30, 1974 — February 15, 1978 3. September 15, 1978 — October 18, 1979	1. WBA, WBC + The Ring, lineal 2. WBA, WBC + The Ring, lineal 3. WBA + The Ring, lineal	22
4.	Larry Holmes	June 9, 1978 — September 21, 1985	WBC, IBF + The Ring, lineal	20
5.	Lennox Lewis	1. December 14, 1992 — September 24, 1994 2. February 7, 1997 — April 22, 2001 3. November 17, 2001 — February 6, 2004	1. WBC + №1 contender by The Ring 2. WBC, WBA, IBF + The Ring, lineal 3. WBC, IBF + The Ring, lineal	15
5.	Vitali Klitschko	1. April 24, 2004 — November 9, 2005 2. October 11, 2008 — December 15, 2013	1. WBC + The Ring 2. WBC + №1 contender by The Ring	12
7.	Tommy Burns	February 23, 1906 — December 26, 1908	lineal	11
8.	Mike Tyson	November 22, 1986 — February 11, 1990	WBC, WBA, IBF + lineal	10
8.	Joe Frazier	March 4, 1968 — January 22, 1973	NYSAC, WBA, WBC + The Ring, lineal	10
10.	Evander Holyfield	1. October 25, 1990 — November 13, 1992 2. November 6, 1993 — April 22, 1994 3. November 9, 1996 — November 13, 1999	1. WBC, WBA, IBF + lineal 2. WBA, IBF + lineal 3. WBA, IBF + №1 contender by The Ring	9
10.	Ezzard Charles	September 27, 1950 — July 18, 1951	NBA, NYSAC + The Ring, lineal	9
12.	Floyd Patterson	1. November 30, 1956 — June 26, 1959 2. June 20, 1960 — September 25, 1962	NYSAC, NBA + The Ring, lineal	8
12.	James J. Jeffries	June 9, 1899 — May 13, 1905	lineal	8
14.	Jack Johnson	December 26, 1908 — April 5, 1915	lineal	7
14.	Rocky Marciano	September 23, 1952 — April 27, 1956	NYSAC, NBA + The Ring, lineal	7

Most opponents beaten during one title reign

These lists do not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after 1921, although they only include title streaks during which the champion captured The Ring or lineal title.

Keys:

  Active title reign

  Reign has ended

Note 1: WBA (Regular) champions are not included

Note 2: WBO heavyweight title bouts before August 1997 are not included

Pos.	Name	Reign began-ended	Recognition	Opponents beaten
1.	Joe Louis	June 22, 1937 — March 1, 1949	NYSAC, NBA	21
2.	Larry Holmes	June 9, 1978 — September 21, 1985	WBC, IBF	19
3.	Wladimir Klitschko	April 22, 2006 — November 28, 2015	IBF, WBO, WBA	17
4.	Muhammad Ali	October 30, 1974 — February 15, 1978	WBA, WBC	10
5.	Mike Tyson	November 22, 1986 — February 11, 1990	WBC, WBA, IBF	9
5.	Joe Frazier	March 4, 1968 — January 22, 1973	NYSAC, WBA, WBC	9
5.	Tommy Burns	February 23, 1906 — December 26, 1908	lineal	9
8.	Lennox Lewis	February 7, 1997 — April 22, 2001	WBC, WBA, IBF	8
8.	Jack Johnson	December 26, 1908 — April 5, 1915	lineal	8
8.	Ezzard Charles	September 27, 1950 — July 18, 1951	NBA, NYSAC	8
11.	James J. Jeffries	June 9, 1899 — May 13, 1905	lineal	6
12.	Rocky Marciano	September 23, 1952 — April 27, 1956	NYSAC, NBA	5
13.	Jack Dempsey	July 4, 1919 — September 23, 1926	lineal-to-NBA and NYSAC	5
13.	John L. Sullivan	August 29, 1885 — September 7, 1892	lineal	5

Most consecutive defenses of the title

These lists do not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after 1921, although they only include title streaks during which the champion captured The Ring or lineal title.

Keys:

  Active title reign

  Reign has ended

Note 1: WBA (Regular) champions are not included

Note 2: WBO heavyweight title bouts before August 1997 are not included

Pos.	Name	Reign began-ended	Recognition	Title defenses
1.	Joe Louis	June 22, 1937 — March 1, 1949	NYSAC, NBA	26
2.	Larry Holmes	June 9, 1978 — September 21, 1985	WBC, IBF	19
3.	Wladimir Klitschko	April 22, 2006 — November 28, 2015	IBF, WBO, WBA	18
4.	Tommy Burns	February 23, 1906 — December 26, 1908	lineal	11
4.	Muhammad Ali	October 30, 1974 — February 15, 1978	WBA, WBC	10
6.	Mike Tyson	November 22, 1986 — February 11, 1990	WBC, WBA, IBF	9
6.	Joe Frazier	March 4, 1968 — January 22, 1973	NYSAC, WBA, WBC	9
6.	Lennox Lewis	February 7, 1997 — April 22, 2001	WBC, WBA, IBF	9
9.	Jack Johnson	December 26, 1908 — April 5, 1915	lineal	8
9.	Ezzard Charles	September 27, 1950 — July 18, 1951	NBA, NYSAC	8
11.	James J. Jeffries	June 9, 1899 — May 13, 1905	lineal	7
12.	Rocky Marciano	September 23, 1952 — April 27, 1956	NYSAC, NBA	6
13.	Jack Dempsey	July 4, 1919 — September 23, 1926	lineal-to-NBA and NYSAC	5
13.	John L. Sullivan	August 29, 1885 — September 7, 1892	lineal	5

Longest title reigns

Keys:

  Active Title Reign

  Reign has ended

Note 1: WBA (Regular) champions are not included

Note 2: WBO heavyweight title bouts before August 1997 are not included

Note 3: The names in italics are champions that haven't won The Ring/lineal championship

Combined reigns — The Ring/lineal championships + all other reigns

As of 5 May 2019. This list includes only major titles, and it does not include lineal championships after 1921.

Pos.	Name	Combined reign	Days as champion	Number of reigns	Title recognition
1.	Wladimir Klitschko	12 years, 0 months, 0 days	4 382	2	IBF, WBA, WBO
2.	Joe Louis	11 years, 8 months, 8 days	4 270	1	NYSAC, NBA
3.	Muhammad Ali	9 years, 5 months, 5 days	3 443	3	NYSAC, WBC, WBA
4.	Lennox Lewis	8 years, 5 months, 13 days	3 086	3	WBC, IBF, WBA
5.	Vitali Klitschko	7 years, 5 months, 28 days	2 735	3	WBO, WBC
6.	Larry Holmes	7 years, 3 months, 12 days	2 661	1	WBC, IBF
7.	Jack Dempsey	7 years, 2 months, 19 days	2 638	1	NYSAC, NBA
8.	John L. Sullivan	7 years, 0 months, 10 days	2 566	1	lineal
9.	Jack Johnson	6 years, 3 months, 11 days	2 292	1	lineal
10.	Evander Holyfield	6 years, 1 month, 1 day	2 223	4	WBA, WBC, IBF
11.	James J. Jeffries	5 years, 11 months, 4 days	2 156	1	lineal
12.	Joe Frazier	4 years, 10 months, 18 days	1 785	1	NYSAC, WBA, WBC
13.	Floyd Patterson	4 years, 10 months, 0 days	1 765	2	NYSAC, NBA
14.	James J. Corbett	4 years, 6 months, 10 days	1 652	1	lineal
15.	Deontay Wilder	9 years, 5 months and 4 weeks	1 489	1	WBC

Vitali Klitschko (right) retired as champion in 2005. Following his retirement, the WBC conferred "champion emeritus" status on Klitschko, and assured him he would become the mandatory challenger if and when he decided to return

Unofficial long title reigns

Pos.	Name	Combined reign	Days as champion	Number of reigns	Title recognition
N/A	Vitali Klitschko	10 years, 4 months, 29 days	3 802	2	WBO, Full WBC-to-WBC Emeritus-to-Full WBC (+The Ring vacated)
N/A	Muhammad Ali	10 years, 1 month, 16 days	3 689	3	The Ring/+lineal (+WBA, +WBC)

Combined reigns — The Ring/lineal championships, unified championships, victories over champions

As of 24 September 2018. The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after 1921, although it only includes heavyweight champions that have also captured The Ring or lineal title. The list only includes title reigns during which the champion:

• has won The Ring/lineal championship
• unified the titles
• defeated a fighter that either had to drop his own world title prior to the fight due to organization's championship policy or would later become the world champion whilst the winner's reign was still active

Pos.	Name	Combined reign	Days as champion	Number of reigns	Title recognition
1.	Wladimir Klitschko	12 years, 0 months, 0 days	4 382	2	IBF, WBA, WBO
2.	Joe Louis	11 years, 8 months, 8 days	4 270	1	NYSAC, NBA
3.	Muhammad Ali	9 years, 5 months, 5 days	3 443	3	NYSAC, WBC, WBA
4.	Larry Holmes	7 years, 3 months, 12 days	2 661	1	WBC, IBF
5.	Jack Dempsey	7 years, 2 months, 19 days	2 638	1	NYSAC, NBA
6.	John L. Sullivan	7 years, 0 months, 10 days	2 566	1	lineal
7.	Lennox Lewis	6 years, 8 months, 3 days	2 437	2	WBC, IBF, WBA
8.	Jack Johnson	6 years, 3 months, 11 days	2 292	1	lineal
9.	James J. Jeffries	5 years, 11 months, 4 days	2 156	1	lineal
10.	Evander Holyfield	5 years, 6 months, 12 days	2 020	3	WBA, WBC, IBF
11.	Joe Frazier	4 years, 10 months, 18 days	1 785	1	NYSAC, WBA, WBC
12.	Floyd Patterson	4 years, 10 months, 0 days	1 765	2	NYSAC, NBA
13.	James J. Corbett	4 years, 6 months, 10 days	1 652	1	lineal
14.	Jess Willard	4 years, 2 months, 29 days	1 551	1	lineal
15.	Mike Tyson	3 years, 10 months, 16 days	1 415	2	WBA, WBC, IBF

Combined reigns — The Ring/lineal championships, "interim" championships

As of 24 September 2018. The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after 1921, although it only includes heavyweight champions that have also captured The Ring or lineal title. The list only includes title reigns during which the champion have won The Ring/lineal championship or was ranked by the magazine as the top contender for The Ring/lineal title by the end of the year:

• ranked №1 with active The Ring/lineal champion,
• ranked №1/№2 if both titles are vacant
• ranked №2 if the lineal champion is already ranked №1 and The Ring title is vacant/deactivated

Pos.	Name	Combined reign	Days as champion	Number of reigns	Title recognition
1.	Wladimir Klitschko	12 years, 0 months, 0 days	4 382	2	IBF, WBA, WBO
2.	Joe Louis	11 years, 8 months, 8 days	4 270	1	NYSAC, NBA
3.	Muhammad Ali	9 years, 5 months, 5 days	3 443	3	NYSAC, WBC, WBA
4.	Lennox Lewis	8 years, 5 months, 13 days	3 086	3	WBC, IBF, WBA
5.	Larry Holmes	7 years, 3 months, 12 days	2 661	1	WBC, IBF
6.	Jack Dempsey	7 years, 2 months, 19 days	2 638	1	NYSAC, NBA
7.	John L. Sullivan	7 years, 0 months, 10 days	2 566	1	lineal
8.	Vitali Klitschko	6 years, 8 months, 21 days	2 455	2	WBO, WBC
9.	Jack Johnson	6 years, 3 months, 11 days	2 292	1	lineal
10.	James J. Jeffries	5 years, 11 months, 4 days	2 156	1	lineal
11.	Evander Holyfield	5 years, 6 months, 12 days	2 020	3	WBA, WBC, IBF
12.	Joe Frazier	4 years, 10 months, 18 days	1 785	1	NYSAC, WBA, WBC
13.	Floyd Patterson	4 years, 10 months, 0 days	1 765	2	NYSAC, NBA
14.	James J. Corbett	4 years, 6 months, 10 days	1 652	1	lineal
15.	Jess Willard	4 years, 2 months, 29 days	1 551	1	lineal

Individual reigns

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

Pos.	Name	Title Reign	Title recognition
1.	Joe Louis	11 years, 8 months, 8 days	lineal
2.	Wladimir Klitschko	9 years, 7 months and 6 days	IBF (+WBA, WBO, The Ring)
3.	Larry Holmes	7 years, 3 months, 12 days	WBC-to-IBF (+The Ring/Lineal)
4.	Jack Dempsey	7 years, 2 months, 19 days	lineal
5.	John L. Sullivan	7 years, 0 months, 9 days	lineal
6.	Jack Johnson	6 years, 3 months, 10 days	lineal
7.	Muhammad Ali	5 years, 11 months, 9 days	The Ring/Lineal, (+WBA, WBC stripped)
8.	James J. Jeffries	5 years, 11 months, 4 days	lineal
9.	Vitali Klitschko	5 years, 2 months, 4 days	WBC
10.	Joe Frazier	4 years, 10 months, 18 days	NYSAC (+WBA, WBC)
11.	James J. Corbett	4 years, 6 months, 10 days	lineal
12.	Deontay Wilder	9 years, 5 months and 4 weeks	WBC
13.	Jess Willard	4 years, 2 months, 29 days	lineal
14.	Lennox Lewis	4 years, 2 months, 15 days	WBC (+IBF, WBA stripped, The Ring/Lineal)
15.	Rocky Marciano	3 years, 11 months, 29 days	lineal

Unofficial long reigns

Pos.	Name	Title Reign	Title recognition
N/A	Vitali Klitschko	9 years, 7 months, 22 days	Full WBC-to-WBC Emeritus-to-Full WBC (+The Ring vacated)
N/A	Muhammad Ali	7 years, 0 months, 11 days	The Ring/+lineal (+WBA, +WBC)
N/A	Brian Nielsen	3 years, 7 months, 20 days	IBO

Title fight wins and streaks by era

Before 1921

At the very beginnings, before the establishment of the sanctioning organizations, the title recognition passed through lineage in the fights under Marquess of Queensberry Rules. The champion was informally called "the man who beat the man". The fight between John L. Sullivan and Dominick McCaffrey is recognized by many boxing historians, including those at The Ring, to be for the inaugural World Heavyweight Championship under the Marquess of Queensberry Rules (however, some dispute that claim for various reasons, including the short distance of the bout, McCaffrey's small size and the fact that both fighters were Americans). The lineage was the only universally recognized form of a world championship until July 2, 1921, when Jack Dempsey became the inaugural NBA Heavyweight Champion.

Name	Title recognition	Title bout wins	Beaten opponents
Tommy Burns	lineal	11	9
Jack Johnson	lineal	7	7
James J. Jeffries	lineal	8	6
Jack Dempsey	lineal	3	3
James J. Corbett	lineal	2	2
Jess Willard

National sanctioning bodies

The growing popularity of boxing led to a birth of various regional sanctioning organizations, with each recognizing their own champion. The major governing bodies were the National Boxing Association, formed in 1921, the New York State Athletic Commission, found after the Walker Law legalized prizefighting in New York in 1920, and the International Boxing Union, created in 1911 in Paris in an attempt create a unified international governing body for professional boxing. The NBA and NYSAC both made then-lineal champion Jack Dempsey their inaugural champion on July 2, 1921, and July 24, 1922, respectively.

Name	Title recognition	Title bout wins	Beaten opponents
Joe Louis	NYSAC, NBA	27	22
Jack Dempsey	NYSAC, NBA	3	3
Primo Carnera	NYSAC, NBA, IBU
Gene Tunney	NYSAC, NBA		2
Max Schmeling	NYSAC, NBA, IBU	2	2
Sonny Liston	NYSAC		1
Jersey Joe Walcott	NYSAC, NBA
Jack Sharkey	NYSAC, NBA, IBU	1	1
Max Baer	NYSAC, NBA, IBU
James J. Braddock	NYSAC, NBA, IBU

First international expansion

The growing popularity of boxing outside of the USA led to creation of various boxing organizations, each strengthening their influence (most notably BBBofC) and having their own champion. This resulted in a growing number of boxers claiming to be legitimate champions. The disruption in boxing was solved after the World War II when the World Championship Committee (WCC) was created with NBA as its unanimous authority. The committee, however, was disbanded in 1955 when NBA, along with its new members (which included the Orient, Mexican and South American federations and boxing commissions of the Philippines and Thailand) left WCC citing lack of control over the organisation. The NBA's voting scheme guaranteed one vote for each state commission as well as one vote for each foreign country. On August 23, 1962, the NBA officially became the World Boxing Association and moved their headquarters to Panama City, Panama.

Name	Title recognition	Title bout wins	Beaten opponents
Ezzard Charles	NBA, NYSAC	9	8
Floyd Patterson	NBA, NYSAC	8	7
Rocky Marciano	NBA, NYSAC	7	5

Second international expansion

A year later NYSAC along with European Boxing Union and BBBofC supported creation of the World Boxing Council. WBC was officially established on February 14, 1963, in Mexico City, Mexico by 11 countries (the United States, Puerto Rico, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil) that were invited by the President of Mexico Adolfo López Mateos to form an international organization to unify all commissions of the world to control the expansion of boxing. The reason for the move were concerns about WBA's alleged lack of desire to support professional boxing outside of the USA. In April 1983, members of United States Boxing Association along with Robert W. Lee (a former WBA vice-president) voted to expand the organisation and form the USBA-International. The organization later changed the name to International Boxing Federation. The inaugural IBF Heavyweight Champion was Larry Holmes, who relinquished the WBC title to accept IBF's recognition, thus helping the newly formed organization to establish its legitimacy. Another major sanctioning body, the World Boxing Organisation, was established in 1988 in San Juan, Puerto Rico by a group of local businessmen. At the beginnings, when most of the challengers for WBA, WBC and IBF titles were Americans, WBO had a wider variety of countries, mainly European, represented in title bouts. In the inaugural bout, Italian boxer Francesco Damiani defeated Johnny du Plooy from South Africa by KO in the 3rd round. Before the Klitschko Era, United Kingdom tied USA for most wins in WBO Heavyweight title fights with 8. WBO struggled with receiving credibility at first, but by the beginning of the 2000s, the WBA was giving the same recognition to WBO champions as it did to WBC and IBF champions.

WBO, WBC, IBF and WBA are all recognized as major boxing organizations by each other and the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Riddick Bowe remains the only heavyweight boxer to win all four world titles (WBA, WBC and IBF in 1992–93 and WBO in 1995), while Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko are the only brothers to hold them at the same time (from 2011 to 2013). Wladimir is the only unified champion to successfully defend the title against the same opponent twice (Tony Thompson in 2008 and 2012).

Keys:

  Active title reign

  Reign has ended

Note 1: WBA (Regular) champions are not included

Note 2: The list of most consecutive defenses includes all title reigns of each boxer

Note 3: The names in italics are champions that haven't won The Ring/lineal championship

Note 4: WBO heavyweight title bouts before August 1997 are not included

Most opponents beaten in title fights

Name	Title recognition	Beaten opponents
Wladimir Klitschko	WBA, WBO, IBF	23
Muhammad Ali	WBA, WBC	21
Larry Holmes	WBC, IBF	20
Lennox Lewis	WBA, WBC, IBF	15
Vitali Klitschko	WBC, WBO
Mike Tyson	WBA, WBC, IBF	11
Evander Holyfield	WBA, WBC, IBF	9
Deontay Wilder	WBC	8
Anthony Joshua	WBA, WBO, IBF	7
Nikolai Valuev	WBA	5
George Foreman	WBA, WBC, IBF	5
Chris Byrd	WBO, IBF
Joe Frazier	WBA, WBC
John Ruiz	WBA	4
Michael Moorer	WBA, IBF
Lamon Brewster	WBO

Most wins in title fights

Name	Title recognition	Title bout wins
Wladimir Klitschko	WBA, WBO, IBF	25
Muhammad Ali	WBA, WBC	22
Larry Holmes	WBC, IBF	20
Lennox Lewis	WBA, WBC, IBF	15
Vitali Klitschko	WBC, WBO
Mike Tyson	WBA, WBC, IBF	12
Evander Holyfield	WBA, WBC, IBF	10
Deontay Wilder	WBC	9
Anthony Joshua	WBA, WBO, IBF	7
Nikolai Valuev	WBA	6
George Foreman	WBA, WBC, IBF	5
Chris Byrd	WBO, IBF
Joe Frazier	WBA, WBC
John Ruiz	WBA	4
Michael Moorer	WBA, IBF
Lamon Brewster	WBO

Most opponents beaten during one title reign

Name	Order of title reign	Title recognition	Beaten opponents
Larry Holmes	1st	WBC-to-IBF	19
Wladimir Klitschko	2nd	WBA, WBO, IBF	17
Muhammad Ali	2nd	WBA, WBC	10
Mike Tyson	1st	WBA, WBC, IBF	9
Muhammad Ali	1st	WBA, WBC
Vitali Klitschko	3rd	WBC
Deontay Wilder	1st	WBC
Lennox Lewis	2nd	WBA, WBC, IBF	8
Anthony Joshua	1st	WBA, WBO, IBF	6
Wladimir Klitschko	1st	WBO	5
Evander Holyfield	2nd	WBA, IBF	4
Joe Frazier	1st	WBA, WBC
Chris Byrd	2nd	IBF
Evander Holyfield	1st	WBA, WBC, IBF	3
Nikolai Valuev	1st	WBA
John Ruiz	2nd	WBA
Lennox Lewis	1st	WBC
Lamon Brewster	1st	WBO

Most consecutive title defenses

Name	Order of title reign	Title recognition	Title defenses
Larry Holmes	1st	WBC-to-IBF	19
Wladimir Klitschko	2nd	WBA, WBO, IBF	18
Muhammad Ali	2nd	WBA, WBC	10
Mike Tyson	1st	WBA, WBC, IBF	9
Muhammad Ali	1st	WBA, WBC
Vitali Klitschko	3rd	WBC
Deontay Wilder	1st	WBC
Lennox Lewis	2nd	WBA, WBC, IBF
Anthony Joshua	1st	WBA, WBO, IBF	6
Wladimir Klitschko	1st	WBO	5
Evander Holyfield	2nd	WBA, IBF	4
Joe Frazier	1st	WBA, WBC
Chris Byrd	2nd	IBF
Evander Holyfield	1st	WBA, WBC, IBF	3
Nikolai Valuev	1st	WBA
John Ruiz	2nd	WBA
Lennox Lewis	1st	WBC
Lamon Brewster	1st	WBO

Most wins in unified title fights

Name	Title recognition	Title fight wins
Wladimir Klitschko	WBA, WBO, IBF	15
Muhammad Ali	WBA, WBC	14
Mike Tyson	WBA, WBC, IBF	9
Evander Holyfield	WBA, WBC, IBF	7
Lennox Lewis	WBA, WBC, IBF	6
Joe Frazier	WBA, WBC	5
Anthony Joshua	WBA, WBO, IBF	4
George Foreman	WBA, WBC, IBF	4
Riddick Bowe	WBA, WBC, IBF	2
Tyson Fury	WBA, WBO, IBF	1
Buster Douglas	WBA, WBC, IBF
Michael Moorer	WBA, IBF
Sonny Liston	WBA, WBC
Leon Spinks	WBA, WBC
Hasim Rahman	WBC, IBF

Most consecutive unified title defenses

Name	Order of title reign	Title recognition	Title defenses
Wladimir Klitschko	1st	WBA, WBO, IBF	13
Muhammad Ali	3rd	WBA, WBC	10
Mike Tyson	1st	WBA, WBC, IBF	8
Joe Frazier	1st	WBA, WBC	4
Evander Holyfield	1st	WBA, WBC, IBF	3
Lennox Lewis	1st	WBA, WBC, IBF
Anthony Joshua	1st	WBA, WBO, IBF
Evander Holyfield	3rd	WBA, IBF	2
George Foreman	1st	WBA, WBC
Riddick Bowe	1st	WBA, WBC, IBF	1
Lennox Lewis	2nd	WBC, IBF
Muhammad Ali	2nd	WBA, WBC
Sonny Liston	1st	WBA, WBC

Title fight wins and streaks by non-US nationality

Note 1: WBA (Regular) champions are not included

Note 2: The names in italics are champions that haven't won The Ring/lineal championship

Note 3: WBO heavyweight title bouts before August 1997 are not included

Title fight wins & beaten opponents — all reigns

The list includes championship wins of heavyweight boxers from outside of the United States. It includes only major titles, without The Ring and lineal championships (after 1921).

Country	No. of champions	Boxers by Name	Title wins	Beaten opponents
Ukraine	2	Vitali Klitschko, Wladimir Klitschko	40	37
United Kingdom	6	Bob Fitzsimmons, Lennox Lewis*, Frank Bruno, Herbie Hide, David Haye, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua	31	28
Canada	4	Tommy Burns, Trevor Berbick, Bermane Stiverne, Lennox Lewis*	28	26
Russia	3	Nikolai Valuev, Oleg Maskaev, Sultan Ibragimov	9	7
Italy	1	Primo Carnera	3	3
Uzbekistan	1	Ruslan Chagaev	3	3
New Zealand	1	Joseph Parker	3	3
South Africa	2	Gerrie Coetzee, Corrie Sanders	2	2
Germany	1	Max Schmeling	2	2
Sweden	1	Ingemar Johansson	1	1
Belarus	1	Siarhei Liakhovich	1	1
Nigeria	1	Samuel Peter	1	1

Title fight wins & beaten opponents — The Ring/lineal championships, unified championships, victories over champions

The list includes championship wins of heavyweight boxers from outside of the United States. The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after 1921, although it only includes heavyweight champions that have also captured The Ring or lineal title. The list only includes title reigns during which the champion:

• has won The Ring/lineal championship
• unified the titles
• defeated a fighter that either had to drop his own world title prior to the fight due to organization's championship policy or would later become the world champion whilst the winner's reign was still active

Country	No. of champions	Boxers by Name	Title wins	Beaten opponents
Ukraine	2	Vitali Klitschko, Wladimir Klitschko	27	25
Canada	2	Tommy Burns, Lennox Lewis*	23	21
United Kingdom	3	Bob Fitzsimmons, Lennox Lewis*, Tyson Fury	14	14
Italy	1	Primo Carnera	3	3
Germany	1	Max Schmeling	2	2
Sweden	1	Ingemar Johansson	1	1

Title fight wins & beaten opponents — The Ring/lineal championships, "interim" championships

The list includes championship wins of heavyweight boxers from outside of the United States. The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after 1921, although it only includes heavyweight champions that have also captured The Ring or lineal title. The list only includes title reigns during which the champion have won The Ring/lineal championship or was ranked by the magazine as the top contender for The Ring/lineal title by the end of the year:

• ranked №1 with active The Ring/lineal champion,
• ranked №1/№2 if both titles are vacant
• ranked №2 if the lineal champion is already ranked №1 and The Ring title is vacant/deactivated

Country	No. of champions	Boxers by Name	Title wins	Beaten opponents
Ukraine	2	Vitali Klitschko, Wladimir Klitschko	37	34
Canada	2	Tommy Burns, Lennox Lewis*	26	24
United Kingdom	3	Bob Fitzsimmons, Lennox Lewis*, Tyson Fury	17	17
Italy	1	Primo Carnera	3	3
Germany	1	Max Schmeling	2	2
Sweden	1	Ingemar Johansson	1	1

Title streaks

The list includes longest championship streaks of heavyweight boxers by each non-US country. It includes only major titles, without The Ring and lineal championships (after 1921).

Country	Champion	Title defenses	Beaten opponents
Ukraine	Wladimir Klitschko	18	17
Canada	Tommy Burns	11	9
United Kingdom	Lennox Lewis	9	8
Russia	Nikolai Valuev	6	5
Italy	Primo Carnera	2	2
Uzbekistan	Ruslan Chagaev	2	2
New Zealand	Joseph Parker	2	2
Germany	Max Schmeling	1	1

Title fight finishes

Quickest stoppages in title fights — 1st round stoppages

Note: WBO heavyweight title bouts before August 1997 are not included

Date	Fight	Method	Round	Time	Title
May 25, 2005	Lamon Brewster def. Andrzej Golota	TKO	1	0:52	WBO
April 18, 1998	Herbie Hide def. Damon Reed	TKO	1	0:52	WBO
November 14, 1944	Joe Louis def. Johnny Davis	KO	1	0:53	NYSAC
April 6, 1900	James J. Jeffries def. John Finnegan	KO	1	0:55	Lineal
December 10, 1982	Michael Dokes def. Mike Weaver	TKO	1	1:03	WBA
July 4, 1907	Tommy Burns def. Bill Squires	KO	1	1:28	Lineal
March 17, 1908	Tommy Burns def. Jem Roche	KO	1	1:28	Lineal
June 27, 1988	Mike Tyson def. Michael Spinks	KO	1	1:31	WBA, WBC, IBF
July 21, 1989	Mike Tyson def. Carl Williams	TKO	1	1:33	WBA, WBC, IBF
October 4, 1997	Lennox Lewis def. Andrzej Golota	KO	1	1:35	WBC
April 22, 1969	Joe Frazier def. Dave Zyglewicz	KO	1	1:36	NYSAC
September 7, 1996	Mike Tyson def. Bruce Seldon	TKO	1	1:49	WBA
September 1, 1973	George Foreman def. José Roman	KO	1	2:00	WBA, WBC
June 22, 1938	Joe Louis def. Max Schmeling	KO	1	2:04	NBA, NYSAC
September 25, 1962	Sonny Liston def. Floyd Patterson	KO	1	2:06	NYSAC, WBA
September 18, 1946	Joe Louis def. Tami Mauriello	KO	1	2:09	NBA, NYSAC
July 22, 1963	Sonny Liston def. Floyd Patterson	KO	1	2:10	WBA, WBC
May 25, 1965	Muhammad Ali def. Sonny Liston	KO	1	2:12	WBC
December 12, 1986	James Smith def. Tim Witherspoon	KO	1	2:12	WBA
May 18, 2019	Deontay Wilder def. Dominic Breazeale	KO	1	2:17	WBC
February 6, 1993	Riddick Bowe def. Michael Dokes	TKO	1	2:19	WBA, IBF
April 17, 1939	Joe Louis def. Jack Roper	KO	1	2:20	NBA, NYSAC
May 15, 1953	Rocky Marciano def. Jersey Joe Walcott	KO	1	2:25	NBA, NYSAC
January 25, 1939	Joe Louis def. John Henry Lewis	KO	1	2:29	NBA, NYSAC
January 9, 1942	Joe Louis def. Buddy Baer	KO	1	2:56	NBA, NYSAC
November 4, 2017	Deontay Wilder def. Bermane Stiverne	KO	1	2:59	WBC
March 19, 2011	Vitali Klitschko def. Odlanier Solís	KO	1	2:59	WBC

Quickest stoppages in title fights — The Ring/lineal/unified championship on the line

Note: WBO heavyweight title bouts before August 1997 are not included

Date	Fight	Method	Round	Time	Title
November 14, 1944	Joe Louis def. Johnny Davis	KO	1	0:53	NYSAC
April 6, 1900	James J. Jeffries def. John Finnegan	KO	1	0:55	Lineal
July 4, 1907	Tommy Burns def. Bill Squires	KO	1	1:28	Lineal
March 17, 1908	Tommy Burns def. Jem Roche	KO	1	1:28	Lineal
June 27, 1988	Mike Tyson def. Michael Spinks	KO	1	1:31	WBA, WBC, IBF
July 21, 1989	Mike Tyson def. Carl Williams	TKO	1	1:33	WBA, WBC, IBF
September 1, 1973	George Foreman def. José Roman	KO	1	2:00	WBA, WBC
June 22, 1938	Joe Louis def. Max Schmeling	KO	1	2:04	NBA, NYSAC
September 25, 1962	Sonny Liston def. Floyd Patterson	KO	1	2:06	NYSAC, WBA
September 18, 1946	Joe Louis def. Tami Mauriello	KO	1	2:09	NBA, NYSAC
July 22, 1963	Sonny Liston def. Floyd Patterson	KO	1	2:10	WBA, WBC
May 25, 1965	Muhammad Ali def. Sonny Liston	KO	1	2:12	WBC
February 6, 1993	Riddick Bowe def. Michael Dokes	TKO	1	2:19	WBA, IBF
April 17, 1939	Joe Louis def. Jack Roper	KO	1	2:20	NBA, NYSAC
May 15, 1953	Rocky Marciano def. Jersey Joe Walcott	KO	1	2:25	NBA, NYSAC
January 25, 1939	Joe Louis def. John Henry Lewis	KO	1	2:29	NBA, NYSAC
January 9, 1942	Joe Louis def. Buddy Baer	KO	1	2:56	NBA, NYSAC
March 29, 1940	Joe Louis def. Johnny Paychek	TKO	2	0:15	NBA, NYSAC
May 22, 1993	Riddick Bowe def. Jesse Ferguson	KO	2	0:17	WBA
August 26, 1904	James J. Jeffries def. Jack Munroe	TKO	2	0:45	Lineal
November 18, 1970	Joe Frazier def. Bob Foster	KO	2	0:49	WBA, WBC
September 14, 1923	Jack Dempsey def. Luis Ángel Firpo	KO	2	0:57	NBA, NYSAC
February 17, 1941	Joe Louis def. Gus Dorazio	KO	2	1:30	NBA, NYSAC
March 26, 1974	George Foreman def. Ken Norton	TKO	2	2:00	WBA, WBC
January 22, 1973	George Foreman def. Joe Frazier	TKO	2	2:26	WBA, WBC
July 15, 2000	Lennox Lewis def. Francois Botha	TKO	2	2:39	WBC, IBF
April 29, 2000	Lennox Lewis def. Michael Grant	KO	2	2:53	WBC, IBF
March 21, 1988	Mike Tyson def. Tony Tubbs	TKO	2	2:54	WBA, WBC, IBF

Most opponents beaten for the title by stoppage

Keys:

  Active title reign

  Reign has ended

Note 1: WBO heavyweight title bouts before August 1997 are not included

Note 2: The names in italics are champions that haven't won The Ring/lineal championship

	Name	Finished opponents
1.	Joe Louis	20
2.	Wladimir Klitschko	19
3.	Larry Holmes	14
4.	Muhammad Ali	13
5.	Vitali Klitschko	12
6.	Lennox Lewis	11
7.	Mike Tyson	9
8.	Tommy Burns	8
8.	Joe Frazier	8
8.	Deontay Wilder	8
11.	Floyd Patterson	7
12.	Anthony Joshua	6
13.	Rocky Marciano	5
13.	James J. Jeffries
13.	Ezzard Charles
13.	Jack Dempsey

Most title fight wins by stoppage

Keys:

  Active title reign

  Reign has ended

Note 1: WBO heavyweight title bouts before August 1997 are not included

Note 2: The names in italics are champions that haven't won The Ring/lineal championship

	Name	Title fight finishes
1.	Joe Louis	24
2.	Wladimir Klitschko	20
3.	Muhammad Ali	14
3.	Larry Holmes	14
5.	Vitali Klitschko	12
6.	Lennox Lewis	11
7.	Mike Tyson	10
8.	Tommy Burns	9
9.	Joe Frazier	8
9.	Floyd Patterson	8
9.	Deontay Wilder	8
12.	Rocky Marciano	6
12.	James J. Jeffries	6
12.	Anthony Joshua
15.	Ezzard Charles	5
15.	Jack Dempsey

Champions by age

Keys:

  Active title reign

  Reign has ended

Note 1: WBA (Regular) champions are not included

Note 2: The names in italics are champions that did not win The Ring/lineal championship during the reign

Note 3: WBO heavyweight title bouts before August 1997 are not included

Oldest champions

As of July 15, 2024.

This is the list of the oldest heavyweight champions ordered by the age at their last day as champion.

	Name	Recognition	Last day as champion	Age
1	George Foreman	IBF	June 29, 1995	46 years, 170 days
2	Vitali Klitschko	WBC	December 16, 2013	42 years, 150 days
3	Wladimir Klitschko	WBA, WBO, IBF	November 28, 2015	39 years, 248 days
4	Oleg Maskaev	WBC	March 8, 2008	39 years, 6 days
5	Jersey Joe Walcott	NBA, NYSAC	September 23, 1952	38 years, 236 days
6	Lennox Lewis	WBC	February 6, 2004	38 years, 157 days
7	Evander Holyfield	WBA	March 3, 2001	38 years, 135 days
8	Corrie Sanders	WBO	February 1, 2004	38 years, 25 days
9	Larry Holmes	IBF	September 21, 1985	37 years, 322 days
10	Muhammad Ali	WBA	October 18, 1979	37 years, 274 days

Youngest champions

As of July 15, 2024.

	Name	Recognition	Date	Age
1	Mike Tyson	WBC	November 22, 1986	20 years, 145 days
2	Floyd Patterson	NBA, NYSAC	November 30, 1956	21 years, 331 days
3	Muhammad Ali	WBA, WBC	February 25, 1964	22 years, 39 days
4	Joe Louis	NBA, NYSAC	June 22, 1937	23 years, 40 days
5	John L. Sullivan	Lineal	February 7, 1882	23 years, 115 days
6	Jack Dempsey	Lineal	July 4, 1919	24 years, 10 days
7	George Foreman	WBA, WBC	February 22, 1973	24 years, 12 days
8	Joe Frazier	NYSAC	March 4, 1968	24 years, 52 days
9	James J. Jeffries	Lineal	June 9, 1899	24 years, 55 days
10	Michael Dokes	WBA	December 10, 1982	24 years, 122 days

See also

• List of heavyweight boxing champions
• List of current world boxing champions
• List of WBA world champions
• List of WBC world champions
• List of IBF world champions
• List of WBO world champions
• List of lineal boxing world champions
• List of undefeated boxing world champions (retired only)
• List of undisputed boxing champions
• World boxing championship records and statistics

External links

• Statistical tables of heavyweight world championships
• The BoxRec Wiki Encyclopedia
• The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall Of Fame Official Record Book (archive)