World Boxing Union

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World Boxing Union
AbbreviationWBU
Formation1995;30 years ago (1995)
FounderJon W. Robinson
TypeNon-profit institution
Legal statusDefunct
PurposeBoxing sanctioning
Headquarters Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Region served
Worldwide
President
Tony Rodriguez Jr.
Main organ
General Assembly

The World Boxing Union (WBU) was a boxing sanctioning body. The original WBU was founded in January 1995 by IBF European representative, boxing journalist, actor and former holder of the title of Britain's heaviest man, Jon W. Robinson. [1] It sanctioned boxing with various promoters worldwide. Following Robinson's death in 2004, the organization became dormant and was eventually dissolved.

Contents

In 2010, the WBU brand was revitalized in the U.S. by Don "Moose" Lewis – President of the International Boxing Union and Women's International Boxing Council. Shortly thereafter, it decided to reestablish itself totally independent of any legal reference to the original organization so as to not expose today's WBU to any remaining potential liabilities from the previous company. [2]

List of WBU heavyweight champions

NameDuration of reignDefensesNotes
Flag of the United States.svg  George Foreman  (USA) [3] March 29, 1995 – 19972Foreman was recognized as champion after he was stripped of the IBF title
Flag of South Africa.svg  Corrie Sanders  (RSA) [4] November 15, 1997 – May 20, 20003Defeated Ross Purity
Flag of the United States.svg  Hasim Rahman  (USA) [5] May 20, 2000 – April 21, 20010Relinquished the title in order to fight Lennox Lewis for the IBF, IBO and WBC titles
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Johnny Nelson  (GBR) [6] November 24, 2001 – December 4, 20010Defeated Alexander Vasiliev. Relinquished the title in order to concentrate on defending his WBO Cruiserweight title
Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgi Kandelaki  (GEO) [7] December 21, 2002 – January 20040Defeated Alexander Vasiliev. Kandelaki either relinquished or was stripped of the title
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Matt Skelton  (GBR) [8] February 25, 2005 – January 26, 20090Skelton relinquished the title

Other WBU champions (selected)

World Boxing Union featherweight belt won by Derry Mathews Derry Mathews WBU belt.JPG
World Boxing Union featherweight belt won by Derry Mathews

Other past WBU champions include Sirimongkol Singwancha, Sornpichai Kratingdaenggym, Pongsaklek Wonjongkam, Ricky Hatton, Eamonn Magee, Tony Oakey, Corrie Sanders, Enzo Maccarinelli, Lee McAllister, Angel Manfredy, George Scott, Hasim Rahman, Thomas Hearns, Don Dieg Poeder, Willie Limond, Craig Docherty, Michael Gomez, Kevin Lear, Anthony Farnell, Jimmy Lange, Derry Mathews, Choi Tseveenpurev, Jeremy Williams, Cristian Charquero, Wayne Elcock, Roy Jones Jr., David Burke, Vinny Pazienza, Agostino Cardamone and Micky Ward.

In addition, Carlos Contreras defeated challenger Victor Rabanales by 8 RTKO.

References

  1. ↑ "The talk in boxing". April 14, 2012.
  2. ↑ AdminBecca. "About WBU". wbuboxing.org. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  3. ↑ "George Foreman vs. Axel Schulz". boxrec.com. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  4. ↑ "BoxRec - Corrie Sanders". boxrec.com. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Hasim Rahman vs. Corrie Sanders". boxrec.com. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  6. ↑ "BoxRec - Johnny Nelson". boxrec.com. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  7. ↑ "BoxRec - George Kandelaki". boxrec.com. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  8. ↑ "BoxRec - Matt Skelton". boxrec.com. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
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