List of current world boxing champions

Last updated

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.

Contents

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
24–0 (15 KO)
September 25, 2021		 Oleksandr Usyk
24–0 (15 KO)
May 18, 2024		 Oleksandr Usyk
24–0 (15 KO)
July 19, 2025		 Oleksandr Usyk
24–0 (15 KO)
September 25, 2021		 Oleksandr Usyk
24–0 (15 KO)
August 20, 2022
Kubrat Pulev
Regular champion
32–3 (14 KO)
December 7, 2024
Fabio Wardley
Interim champion
19–0–1 (18 KO)
June 7, 2025		 Agit Kabayel
Interim champion
26–0 (18 KO)
February 22, 2025		 Joseph Parker
Interim champion
35–3 (23 KO)
March 8, 2024

Bridgerweight (224 lb/101.6 kg)

WBA WBC
Muslim Gadzhimagomedov
6–0 (3 KO)
July 12, 2024		 Kevin Lerena
30–4 (14 KO)
October 8, 2024
Georgiy Yunovidov
Interim champion
11–1 (7 KO)
July 5, 2025		 Krzysztof Włodarczyk
Interim champion
66–4–1 (45 KO)
May 25, 2025

Cruiserweight/Junior heavyweight (200 lb/90.7 kg or 190 lb/86.2 kg)

WBA WBC IBF WBO The Ring
Gilberto Ramírez
Super champion
48–1 (30 KO)
March 30, 2024		 Badou Jack
29–3–3 (17 KO)
December 11, 2024		 Jai Opetaia
28–0 (22 KO)
May 18, 2024		 Gilberto Ramírez
48–1 (30 KO)
November 16, 2024		 Jai Opetaia
28–0 (22 KO)
July 2, 2022
Michał Cieślak
Interim champion
28–2–0–1 (22 KO)
June 28, 2025

Light heavyweight (175 lb/79.4 kg)

WBA WBC IBF WBO The Ring
Dmitry Bivol
Super champion
24–1 (12 KO)
February 22, 2025		 David Benavidez
30–0 (24 KO)
April 7, 2025		 Dmitry Bivol
24–1 (12 KO)
February 22, 2025		 Dmitry Bivol
24–1 (12 KO)
February 22, 2025		 Dmitry Bivol
24–1 (12 KO)
February 22, 2025
David Benavidez
Regular champion
30–0 (24 KO)
February 1, 2025
Albert Ramírez
Interim champion
22–0 (19 KO)
August 8, 2025		 Callum Smith
Interim champion
31–2 (22 KO)
February 22, 2025

Super middleweight (168 lb/76.2 kg)

WBA WBC IBF WBO The Ring
Terence Crawford
Super champion
42–0 (31 KO)
September 13, 2025		 Terence Crawford
42–0 (31 KO)
September 13, 2025		 Terence Crawford
42–0 (31 KO)
September 13, 2025		 Terence Crawford
42–0 (31 KO)
September 13, 2025		 Terence Crawford
42–0 (31 KO)
September 13, 2025
Armando Reséndiz
Interim champion
16–2 (11 KO)
May 31, 2025		 Christian M'billi
Interim champion
29–0–1 (24 KO)
June 27, 2025

Middleweight (160 lb/72.6 kg)

WBA WBC IBF WBO The Ring
Erislandy Lara
31–3–3 (19 KO)
May 1, 2021		 Carlos Adames
24–1–1 (18 KO)
May 7, 2024		 Janibek Alimkhanuly
17–0 (12 KO)
October 14, 2023		 Janibek Alimkhanuly
17–0 (12 KO)
August 26, 2022		vacant

Super welterweight / Junior middleweight (154 lb / 69.9 kg)

WBA WBC IBF WBO The Ring
Abass Baraou
17–1 (9 KO)
September 13, 2025		 Sebastian Fundora
23–1–1 (15 KO)
March 30, 2024		 Bakhram Murtazaliev
23–0 (17 KO)
April 6, 2024		 Xander Zayas
22–0 (13 KO)
July 26, 2025		vacant
Vergil Ortiz Jr.
Interim champion
23–0 (21 KO)
August 10, 2024

Welterweight (147 lb/66.7 kg)

WBA WBC IBF WBO The Ring
Rolando Romero
17–2 (13 KO)
August 1, 2025		 Mario Barrios
29–2–2 (18 KO)
June 18, 2024		 Lewis Crocker
22–0 (11 KO)
September 13, 2025		 Brian Norman Jr.
28–0–0–2 (22 KO)
August 12, 2024		vacant

Super lightweight/Junior welterweight (140 lb/63.5 kg)

WBA WBC IBF WBO The Ring
Gary Antuanne Russell
18–1 (17 KO)
March 1, 2025		 Subriel Matías
23–2 (22 KO)
July 12, 2025		 Richardson Hitchins
20–0 (8 KO)
December 8, 2024		 Teofimo Lopez
22–1 (13 KO)
June 10, 2023		 Teofimo Lopez
22–1 (13 KO)
June 10, 2023
Alessandro Riguccini
Interim champion
31–0 (27 KO)
July 11, 2025		 Isaac Cruz
Interim champion
28–3-1 (18 KO)
July 19, 2025

Lightweight (135 lb/61.2 kg)

WBA WBC IBF WBO The Ring
Gervonta Davis
30–0–1 (28 KO)
November 29, 2023		 Shakur Stevenson
24–0 (11 KO)
November 16, 2023		 Raymond Muratalla
23–0 (17 KO)
June 9, 2025		vacantvacant

Super featherweight/Junior lightweight (130 lb/59 kg)

WBA WBC IBF WBO The Ring
Lamont Roach Jr.
25–1–2 (10 KO)
November 25, 2023		 O'Shaquie Foster
23–3 (12 KO)
November 2, 2024		 Eduardo Núñez
29–1 (27 KO)
May 28, 2025		 Emanuel Navarrete
39–2–1–1 (32 KO)
August 12, 2023		vacant
Jazza Dickens
Interim champion
36–5 (15 KO)
July 2, 2025

Featherweight (126 lb/57.2 kg)

WBA WBC IBF WBO The Ring
Nick Ball
23–0–1 (13 KO)
June 1, 2024		 Stephen Fulton
23–1 (8 KO)
February 1, 2025		 Angelo Leo
26–1 (12 KO)
August 10, 2024		 Rafael Espinoza
27–0 (23 KO)
December 9, 2023		vacant
Mirco Cuello
Interim champion
16–0 (13 KO)
August 8, 2025		 Bruce Carrington
Interim champion
16–0 (9 KO)
July 26, 2025

Super bantamweight/Junior featherweight (122 lb/55.3 kg)

WBA WBC IBF WBO The Ring
Naoya Inoue
Super champion
31–0 (27 KO)
December 26, 2023		 Naoya Inoue
31–0 (27 KO)
July 25, 2023		 Naoya Inoue
31–0 (27 KO)
December 26, 2023		 Naoya Inoue
31–0 (27 KO)
July 25, 2023		 Naoya Inoue
31–0 (27 KO)
December 26, 2023

Bantamweight (118 lb/53.5 kg)

WBA WBC IBF WBO The Ring
Antonio Vargas
19–1–1–1 (11 KO)
May 17, 2025		vacantvacant Christian Medina
26–4 (19 KO)
September 14, 2025		 Junto Nakatani
31–0 (24 KO)
June 8, 2025
Nonito Donaire
Interim champion
43–8 (28 KO)
June 14, 2025

Super flyweight/Junior bantamweight (115 lb/52.2 kg)

WBA WBC IBF WBO The Ring
Fernando Martínez
18–0 (9 KO)
July 7, 2024		 Jesse Rodriguez
22–0 (15 KO)
June 29, 2024		 Willibaldo García
23–5–2–1 (13 KO)
May 23, 2025		 Jesse Rodriguez
22–0 (15 KO)
July 19, 2025		 Jesse Rodriguez
22–0 (15 KO)
June 29, 2024
David Jiménez
Interim champion
18–1 (12 KO)
April 20, 2024

Flyweight (112 lb/50.8 kg)

WBA WBC IBF WBO The Ring
Ricardo Sandoval
27–2 (18 KO)
July 30, 2025		 Ricardo Sandoval
27–2 (18 KO)
July 30, 2025		 Masamichi Yabuki
18–4 (17 KO)
March 29, 2025		 Anthony Olascuaga
10–1 (7 KO)
July 20, 2024		vacant
Galal Yafai
Interim champion
9–0–0–1 (7 KO)
July 26, 2025

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

WBA WBC IBF WBO The Ring
Kyosuke Takami
10–0 (8 KO)
July 30, 2025		 Carlos Cañizales
28–3–1 (20 KO)
August 1, 2025		 Thanongsak Simsri
39–1 (34 KO)
June 19, 2025		 René Santiago
13–4 (9 KO)
March 13, 2025		vacant

Minimumweight/Mini flyweight/Strawweight (105 lb/47.6 kg)

WBA WBC IBF WBO The Ring
Oscar Collazo
Super champion
12–0 (9 KO)
November 16, 2024		 Melvin Jerusalem
23–3 (12 KO)
March 31, 2024		 Pedro Taduran
18–4–1 (13 KO)
July 28, 2024		 Oscar Collazo
12–0 (9 KO)
May 27, 2023		 Oscar Collazo
12–0 (9 KO)
November 16, 2024
Ryūsei Matsumoto
Regular champion
7–0 (5 KO)
September 14, 2025

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "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.
  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. 1 2 3 "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. ↑ Archived May 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  21. ↑ "Ring Magazine's pretend rankings upgrade 'championship' policy". Theboxingtribune.com.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.