Champions were recognized by public acclaimation. 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 1960's.
| Reign Began
| Reign Ended
| Champion
| Recognition
| Nationality
|
| August 29, 1885
| September 7, 1892
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg John L. Sullivan
| Universal
| American
|
- Sullivan defeated Paddy Ryan in 1882 for the American bare knuckle championship. In the absence of any challengers from outside America he gradually became acknowledged as world bare knuckle champion. On August 29, 1885 he outpointed Dominic McCaffrey in Chester Park, Cincinnati in a bout described as being "to decide the Marquess of Queensberry glove contest for the championship of the world"
|
| September 7, 1892
| March 17, 1897
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg James J. Corbett
| Universal
| American
|
| March 17, 1897
| June 9, 1899
| Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bob Fitzsimmons
| Universal
| British
|
- Fitzsimmons became an American citizen in 1898
|
| June 9, 1899
| May 13, 19051
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg James J. Jeffries
| Universal
| American
|
- Jeffries was the first modern champion to relinquish the title, announcing his retirement and declaring that the winner of a match between Marvin Hart and Jack Root would be the next legitimate champion. Jeffries would return to the ring to face Jack Johnson.
|
| July 3, 1905
| February 23, 1906
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Marvin Hart
| Universal
| American
|
| February 23, 1906
| December 26, 1908
| Image:Flag of Canada-1868-Red.svg Tommy Burns
| Universal
| Canadian
|
| December 26, 1908
| April 5, 1915
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Jack Johnson
| Universal
| American
|
| April 5, 1915
| July 4, 1919
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Jess Willard
| Universal
| American
|
| July 4, 1919
| September 23, 1926
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Jack Dempsey
| Universal
| American
|
| September 23, 1926
| July 31, 19282
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Gene Tunney
| Universal
| American
|
- Tunney announced his retirement from professional boxing on July 31, 1928, relinquishing the championship.
|
| June 12, 1930
| June 21, 1932
| Image:Flag of Germany (2-3).svg Max Schmeling
| Universal
| German
|
- Schmeling defeated Jack Sharkey to earn universal recognition as champion.
|
| June 21, 1932
| June 29, 1933
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Jack Sharkey
| Universal
| American
|
| June 29, 1933
| June 14, 1934
| Image:Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg Primo Carnera
| Universal
| Italian
|
| June 14, 1934
| June 13, 1935
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Max Baer
| Universal
| American
|
| June 13, 1935
| June 22, 1937
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg James J. Braddock
| Universal
| American
|
| June 22, 1937
| March 1, 19492
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Joe Louis
| Universal
| American
|
| June 22, 1949
| September 27, 1950
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Ezzard Charles
| NBA
| American
|
| September 27, 1950
| July 18, 1951
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Ezzard Charles
| Universal
| American
|
- Charles won the vacant National Boxing Association championship, but was not universally recognized as champion until defeating Joe Louis, the former champion who had come out of retirement.
|
| July 18, 1951
| September 23, 1952
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Jersey Joe Walcott
| Universal
| American
|
| September 23, 1952
| April 27, 19562
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Rocky Marciano
| Universal
| American
|
- Marciano announced his retirement from professional boxing, relinquishing the championship.
|
| November 30, 1956
| June 26, 1959
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Floyd Patterson
| Universal
| American
|
| June 26, 1959
| June 20, 1960
| Image:Flag of Sweden.svg Ingemar Johansson
| Universal
| Swedish
|
| June 20, 1960
| September 25, 1962
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Floyd Patterson
| Universal
| American
|
| September 25, 1962
| February 25, 1964
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Sonny Liston
| Universal
| American
|
| February 25, 1964
| June 19, 1964
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Cassius Clay
| Universal
| American
|
- The WBA withdrew its recognition of Clay (now known as Muhammad Ali) as champion for agreeing to an immediate rematch against Liston, a violation of the organization's rules at the time. The WBC and other organizations continued to recognize him. (See Ali versus Liston.)
|
| June 19, 1964
| February 6, 1967
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Cassius Clay
| WBC
| American
|
| March 5, 1965
| February 6, 1967
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Ernie Terrell
| WBA
| American
|
| February 6, 1967
| April 29, 1967
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Muhammad Ali
| Universal
| American
|
- All sanctioning bodies withdrew recognition of Ali as champion for his refusal to be inducted into the United States Army subsequent to being drafted in early 1967.
|
| March 4, 1968
| February 16, 1970
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Joe Frazier
| WBC
| American
|
| April 28, 1968
| February 16, 1970
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy Ellis
| WBA
| American
|
| February 16, 1970
| January 22, 1973
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Joe Frazier
| Universal
| American
|
- Initially recognized by the powerful New York state athletic commission and the World Boxing Council, Frazier was recognized by all sanctioning bodies as champion after defeating Ellis; but universal recognition came only upon defeating Muhammad Ali on March 8, 1971. (See Fight of the Century.)
|
| January 22, 1973
| October 30, 1974
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg George Foreman
| Universal
| American
|
| October 30, 1974
| February 15, 1978
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Muhammad Ali
| Universal
| American
|
| February 15, 1978
| March 18, 19783
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Leon Spinks
| Universal
| American
|
| March 18, 1978
| September 15, 1978
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Leon Spinks
| WBA
| American
|
| March 18, 1978
| June 9, 1978
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Ken Norton
| WBC
| American
|
- The WBC stripped Leon Spinks and awarded Ken Norton the title. Norton lost to Larry Holmes in his next defense. Since he never won a world title fight he is sometimes omitted from a list of heavyweight champions
|
| June 9, 1978
| December 11, 19831
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Larry Holmes
| WBC
| American
|
- Holmes relinquished his WBC title to assume the championship of the newly formed International Boxing Federation.
|
| September 15, 1978
| April 27, 19791
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Muhammad Ali
| WBA
| American
|
- Believing his career over, Ali relinquished his WBA title in exchange for a payment from promoter Don King, who was trying to stage a bout between then-WBC champ Larry Holmes and John Tate for the undisputed title. The bout never materialized, and Ali would return to the ring in 1980.
|
| October 20, 1979
| March 31, 1980
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg John Tate
| WBA
| American
|
| March 31, 1980
| December 10, 1982
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Mike Weaver
| WBA
| American
|
| December 10, 1982
| September 23, 1983
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Michael Dokes
| WBA
| American
|
| September 23, 1983
| December 1, 1984
| Image:Flag of South Africa 1928-1994.svg Gerrie Coetzee
| WBA
| South African
|
| December 11, 1983
| September 21, 1985
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Larry Holmes
| IBF
| American
|
| March 9, 1984
| August 31, 1984
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Tim Witherspoon
| WBC
| American
|
| August 31, 1984
| March 22, 1986
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Pinklon Thomas
| WBC
| American
|
| December 1, 1984
| April 29, 1985
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Greg Page
| WBA
| American
|
| April 29, 1985
| January 17, 1986
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Tony Tubbs
| WBA
| American
|
| September 21, 1985
| February 19, 19873
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Michael Spinks
| IBF
| American
|
| January 17, 1986
| December 12, 1986
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Tim Witherspoon
| WBA
| American
|
| March 22, 1986
| November 22, 1986
| Image:Flag of Canada.svg Trevor Berbick
| WBC
| Canadian
|
- Jamaican born Berbick was a naturalized Canadian citizen and former Canadian heavyweight champion
|
| November 22, 1986
| March 7, 1987
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Mike Tyson
| WBC
| American
|
| December 12, 1986
| March 7, 1987
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg James 'Bonecrusher' Smith
| WBA
| American
|
| March 7, 1987
| August 1, 1987
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Mike Tyson
| WBA, WBC
| American
|
| May 30, 1987
| August 1, 1987
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Tony Tucker
| IBF
| American
|
| August 1, 1987
| August 13, 1989
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Mike Tyson
| IBF, WBA & WBC
| American
|
| May 6, 1989
| August 13, 1989
| Image:Flag of Italy.svg Francesco Damiani
| WBO
| Italian
|
- Though Damiani defeated Johnny DuPlooy to become the WBO's first Heavyweight champion, Tyson's reign in the division during this period is virtually undisputed. Additionally, during this period Tyson also knocked out Michael Spinks who some regarded as the 'lineal champion.'
|
| August 13, 1989
| February 10, 1990
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Mike Tyson
| Universal
| American
|
| February 10, 1990
| October 25, 1990
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg James "Buster" Douglas
| IBF, WBA & WBC
| American
|
| October 25, 1990
| November 13, 1992
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Evander Holyfield
| IBF, WBA & WBC
| American
|
| January 11, 1991
| December 24, 19913
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Ray Mercer
| WBO
| American
|
| May 15, 1992
| February 3, 19933
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Michael Moorer
| WBO
| American
|
| November 13, 1992
| December 14, 19923
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Riddick Bowe
| IBF, WBA & WBC
| American
|
- Bowe was stripped of his WBC championship for refusing to fight Lennox Lewis.
|
| December 14, 1992
| November 6, 1993
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Riddick Bowe
| IBF & WBA
| American
|
| December 14, 1992
| September 24, 1994
| Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lennox Lewis
| WBC
| British
|
- Lewis defeated Razor Ruddock on October 31, 1992 in a WBC 'eliminator' fight. When Riddick Bowe's championship recognition was withdrawn by the organization, the WBC immediately awarded Lewis the title.
|
| June 7, 1993
| October 29, 1993
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Tommy Morrison
| WBO
| American
|
| October 29, 1993
| March 19, 1994
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Michael Bentt
| WBO
| American
|
| November 6, 1993
| April 22, 1994
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Evander Holyfield
| IBF & WBA
| American
|
| March 19, 1994
| March 11, 1995
| Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Herbie Hide
| WBO
| British
|
| April 22, 1994
| November 5, 1994
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Michael Moorer
| IBF & WBA
| American
|
| September 24, 1994
| September 2, 1995
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Oliver McCall
| WBC
| American
|
| November 5, 1994
| March 4, 19953
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg George Foreman
| IBF & WBA
| American
|
- The World Boxing Association withdrew its recognition of Foreman, but Foreman retained IBF championship recognition until it too was withdrawn.
|
| March 4, 1995
| June 28, 19953
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg George Foreman
| IBF
| American
|
| March 11, 1995
| May 1, 19961
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Riddick Bowe
| WBO
| American
|
| April 8, 1995
| September 7, 1996
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Bruce Seldon
| WBA
| American
|
| September 2, 1995
| March 16, 1996
| Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Frank Bruno
| WBC
| British
|
| December 9, 1995
| September 7, 19963
| Image:Flag of South Africa.svg Francois Botha
| IBF
| South African
|
- A drug test following Botha's victory over Axel Schulz for the IBF title vacated by George Foreman revealed that he had used illegal anabolic steroids. Upon the discovery the IBF "vacated" its championship. The organization has subsequently erased the episode from its own written history, not listing Botha among its recognized champions.
|
| March 16, 1996
| September 7, 1996
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Mike Tyson
| WBC
| American
|
| June 22, 1996
| November 8, 1997
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Michael Moorer
| IBF
| American
|
| June 29, 1996
| February 17, 19971
| Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Henry Akinwande
| WBO
| British
|
- Akinwande had been ranked the WBC's #2 contender when he won the WBO title. The WBC, which has feuded with the WBO since the latter's founding in 1988, dropped Akinwande from its rankings altogether. Akinwande subsequently relinquished his WBO title in exchange for the opportunity to meet Lennox Lewis in a bout for the WBC championship.
|
| September 7, 1996
| September 24, 19961
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Mike Tyson
| WBA & WBC
| American
|
| September 24, 1996
| November 9, 1996
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Mike Tyson
| WBA
| American
|
| November 9, 1996
| November 8, 1997
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Evander Holyfield
| WBA
| American
|
| February 7, 1997
| November 13, 1999
| Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lennox Lewis
| WBC
| British
|
| June 28, 1997
| June 26, 1999
| Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Herbie Hide
| WBO
| British
|
| November 8, 1997
| November 13, 1999
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Evander Holyfield
| IBF & WBA
| American
|
| June 26, 1999
| April 1, 2000
| Image:Flag of Ukraine.svg Vitali Klitschko
| WBO
| Ukrainian
|
| November 13, 1999
| April 29, 20003
| Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lennox Lewis
| IBF, WBA & WBC
| British
|
- In early 2000 the World Boxing Association and Lewis were sued by representatives of John Ruiz claiming that they had reneged on an agreement by which Ruiz would have fought Lewis for the WBA title. A New Jersey court ruled in favor of Ruiz, and ordered Lewis to either have his next bout against Ruiz or relinquish the title. Lewis elected instead to fight contender Michael Grant, relinquishing his WBA title on the day of the match.
|
| April 1, 2000
| October 14, 2000
| Image:Flag of the United States.svgChris Byrd
| WBO
| American
|
| April 29, 2000
| April 22, 2001
| Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lennox Lewis
| IBF & WBC
| British
|
| August 12, 2000
| March 3, 2001
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Evander Holyfield
| WBA
| American
|
| October 14, 2000
| March 8, 2003
| Image:Flag of Ukraine.svg Wladimir Klitschko
| WBO
| Ukrainian
|
| March 3, 2001
| March 1, 2003
| Image:Flag of Puerto Rico.svg John Ruiz
| WBA
| Puerto Rican
|
| April 22, 2001
| November 17, 2001
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Hasim Rahman
| IBF & WBC
| American
|
| November 17, 2001
| September 5, 20021
| Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lennox Lewis
| IBF & WBC
| British
|
- Lewis relinquished the IBF title upon receiving payment of $1 million (US) by promoter Don King, who wished to stage a bout between Chris Byrd and Evander Holyfield for the vacant title.
|
| September 5, 2002
| February 6, 20042
| Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lennox Lewis
| WBC
| British
|
| December 14, 2002
| April 22, 2006
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Chris Byrd
| IBF
| American
|
| March 1, 2003
| February 20, 20041
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Roy Jones Jr.
| WBA
| American
|
| March 8, 2003
| October 9, 20031
| Image:Flag of South Africa.svg Corrie Sanders
| WBO
| South African
|
| February 20, 2004
| December 17, 2005
| Image:Flag of Puerto Rico.svg John Ruiz
| WBA
| Puerto Rican
|
- Ruiz beat Hasim Rahman on December 13, 2003 to become the WBA's "interim" champion. He was awarded the championship following Roy Jones, Jr.'s announcement that he was relinquishing it to concentrate on lower weight divisions. Ruiz's title reign ended on April 30, 2005, following a loss to James Toney but ten days later, a drug test on Toney detected he had used products containing nandrolone, an anabolic steroid. Thus, Toney's victory was changed to a 'no contest' by New York state athletic commission, and as a result, the WBA declared Ruiz was keeping the title.
|
| April 10, 2004
| April 1, 2006
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Lamon Brewster
| WBO
| American
|
| April 24, 2004
| November 9, 20052
| Image:Flag of Ukraine.svg Vitali Klitschko
| WBC
| Ukrainian
|
| November 9, 2005
| August 13, 2006
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Hasim Rahman
| WBC
| American
|
- Rahman defeated Monte Barrett on August 13, 2005 to become the WBC's "interim" champion. He was awarded the championship following Vitali Klitschko's announcement that he was retiring due to injury.
|
| December 17, 2005
| April 15, 2007
| Image:Flag of Russia.svg Nikolay Valuev
| WBA
| Russian
|
| April 1, 2006
| November 4, 2006
| Image:Flag of Belarus.svg Sergei Liakhovich
| WBO
| Belarusian
|
| April 22, 2006
| present
| Image:Flag of Ukraine.svg Wladimir Klitschko
| IBF
| Ukrainian
|
| August 13, 2006
| present
| Image:Flag of Russia.svg Oleg Maskaev
| WBC
| Russian
|
- On September 24, 2007, Samuel Peter was declared the WBC's "interim" champion. Peter, who had been scheduled to fight Maskaev on October 6, was recognized as interim champion when Maskaev withdrew from the bout due to injury.
|
| November 4, 2006
| June 2, 2007
| Image:Flag of the United States.svg Shannon Briggs
| WBO
| American
|
| April 15, 2007
| present
| Image:Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Ruslan Chagaev
| WBA
| Uzbekistani
|
| June 2, 2007
| present
| Image:Flag of Russia.svg Sultan Ibragimov
| WBO
| Russian
|
hr:Popis svjetskih prvaka u teškoj kategoriji u profesionalnom boksu
ja:ボクシング世界ヘビー級王者一覧
no:Liste over verdensmestre i tungvektsboksing
ru:Чемпионы мира по боксу в тяжёлом весе
