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List of current world boxing champions

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For women's edition, see List of current female world boxing champions.

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 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
23–0 (14 KO)
September 25, 2021 		Oleksandr Usyk
23–0 (14 KO)
May 18, 2024 		Daniel Dubois
22–2 (21 KO)
June 26, 2024 		Oleksandr Usyk
23–0 (14 KO)
September 25, 2021 		Oleksandr Usyk
23–0 (14 KO)
August 20, 2022
Kubrat Pulev
Regular champion
32–3 (14 KO)
December 7, 2024 		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
Super champion
47–1 (30 KO)
March 30, 2024 		Badou Jack
28–3–3 (17 KO)
December 11, 2024 		Jai Opetaia
26–0 (20 KO)
May 18, 2024 		Gilberto Ramírez
47–1 (30 KO)
November 16, 2024 		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
29–2–1 (18 KO)
June 18, 2024 		Jaron Ennis
33–0–0–1 (29 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 		Richardson Hitchins
19–0 (7 KO)
December 8, 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
William Zepeda
Interim champion
32–0 (27 KO)
November 16, 2024

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
39–2–1 (32 KO)
August 12, 2023 		vacant
Albert Batyrgaziev
Interim champion
11–0 (7 KO)
July 12, 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
26–0 (22 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
Murodjon Akhmadaliev
Interim champion
13–1 (10 KO)
December 14, 2024

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
10–0 (2 KO)
May 4, 2024 		Yoshiki Takei
10–0 (8 KO)
May 6, 2024 		vacant
Antonio Vargas
Interim champion
19–1 (11 KO)
December 13, 2024

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
21–0 (14 KO)
June 29, 2024 		vacant Phumelele Cafu
11–0–3 (8 KO)
October 14, 2024 		Jesse Rodriguez
21–0 (14 KO)
June 29, 2024
David Jiménez
Interim champion
16–1 (11 KO)
April 20, 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
Galal Yafai
Interim champion
9–0 (7 KO)
November 30, 2024

Light flyweight/Junior flyweight (108 lb/49 kg)

WBA WBC IBF WBO The Ring
Erick Rosa
8–0 ( 2 KO)
December 19, 2024 		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
Oscar Collazo
Super champion
11–0 (8 KO)
November 16, 2024 		Melvin Jerusalem
23–3 (12 KO)
March 31, 2024 		Pedro Taduran
17–4–1 (13 KO)
July 28, 2024 		Oscar Collazo
11–0 (8 KO)
May 27, 2023 		Oscar Collazo
11–0 (8 KO)
November 16, 2024

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Rules of World Boxing Association" (PDF). World Boxing Association. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  2. ^ "World Boxing Council Rules and Regulations" (PDF). World Boxing Council. Retrieved January 6, 2011.
  3. ^ "IBF/USBA Rules Governing Championship Contests" (PDF). International Boxing Federation. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 14, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  4. ^ "World Boxing Organization Regulations of World Championship Contests". World Boxing Organization. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  5. ^ Lewis, Ron (October 13, 2008). "Vitali Klitschko impressive in comeback victory". The Times. Retrieved January 6, 2011.[dead link‍]
  6. ^ "World Boxing Association History". World Boxing Association. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  7. ^ "World Boxing Council". World Boxing Council. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  8. ^ "Rules that have changed the History of Boxing". World Boxing Council. Archived from the original on September 25, 2007. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "WBO logo". World Boxing Organization. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  11. ^ "WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests" (PDF). World Boxing Organization. Section 14.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ DeLisa, Mike (August 2004). "What the CBZ Means When it Refers to "Lineal Championships"". The CBZ Journal. cyberboxingzone.
  14. ^ "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.
  15. ^ Kimball, George (April 27, 2008). "Calzaghe claim far from undisputed". Boston Herald. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
  16. ^ "Chat with Dan Rafael". Espn.go.com. Archived from the original on May 6, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  17. ^ The Horrible New Ring Magazine Championship Policy – Queensberry Rules Archived May 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  18. ^ "Ring Magazine's pretend rankings upgrade 'championship' policy". Theboxingtribune.com. May 4, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  19. ^ "Chat: Chat with Dan Rafael - SportsNation". Espn.com. Archived from the original on May 6, 2012.
  20. ^ [1] Archived May 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  21. ^ "Ring Magazine's pretend rankings upgrade 'championship' policy". Theboxingtribune.com.
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