Heavyweight: Difference between revisions

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Template:Short description Script error: No such module "other uses".

File:Andrew Golota vs Kevin McBride.jpg

Heavyweight boxers Andrew Golota (on the left) vs. Kevin McBride at Madison Square Garden

Heavyweight is a weight class in combat sports and professional wrestling.

Boxing

Professional

Male boxers who weigh over Script error: No such module "convert". are considered heavyweights by 2 of the 4 major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation^[1] and the World Boxing Organization.^[2] In 2020, the World Boxing Council^[3] increased their heavyweight classification to 224 pounds (102 kg; 16 st) to allow for their creation of the bridgerweight division. The World Boxing Association (WBA) did the same in 2023.^[4] Female boxers who weigh over Script error: No such module "convert". are considered heavyweights by all four of the boxing federations.

Historical development

Because this division has no upper weight limit, it has historically been vaguely defined. In the 19th century, for example, many heavyweight champions weighed Script error: No such module "convert". or less (although others weighed 200 pounds).

In 1920, the light heavyweight division was formed, with a maximum weight of Script error: No such module "convert".. Any fighter weighing more than 175 pounds was a heavyweight. The cruiserweight division (first for boxers in the 175–190 pound range) was established in 1979 and recognized by the various boxing organizations in the 1980s with a maximum weight of either Script error: No such module "convert". or Script error: No such module "convert".. Later these organizations increased the cruiserweight limit to 200 pounds.

Since 1975, the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States and the Soviet Sports Committee established a new concept in international boxing, called "Heavy Duals," an all-heavyweight team contest between the United States and the Soviet Union.^[5]

As of 2025, Wladimir Klitschko holds records of beating the most boxers for the world heavyweight title, with 23, and the longest cumulative heavyweight title reign of all time, with 4,382 days as world heavyweight champion.Template:Refn Joe Louis has won the most world heavyweight title bouts, with 27,^[6] and had the most consecutive title defenses, with 26.Template:Refn This is also the record for most consecutive title defenses in boxing history.^[7]

Four boxers have regained the heavyweight title in an immediate rematch: Floyd Patterson in 1960, Muhammad Ali in 1978, Lennox Lewis in 2001, and Anthony Joshua in 2019. George Foreman holds the record for being the oldest heavyweight to ever achieve championship status, becoming champion at the age of 45, while Mike Tyson possesses the record for youngest heavyweight champion at 20. Tyson also became the first heavyweight to own all three major belts – WBA, WBC, and IBF as well as The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles at the same time.

Current world champions

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Sanctioning Body	Reign Began	Champion	Record	Defenses
WBA	September 25, 2021	Oleksandr Usyk	24–0 (15 KO)	5
WBC	May 18, 2024	Oleksandr Usyk	24–0 (15 KO)	2
IBF	July 19, 2025	Oleksandr Usyk	24–0 (15 KO)	0
WBO	November 17, 2025	Fabio Wardley	20–0–1 (19 KO)	0

Current world rankings

The Ring

As of November 17, 2025.^[8]

Keys:

<templatestyles src="Legend/styles.css" /> C Current The Ring world champion

Rank	Name	Record (W–L–D)	Title(s)
C	Oleksandr Usyk	24–0 (15 KO)	WBA, WBC, IBF
1	Tyson Fury	34–2–1 (24 KO)
2	Fabio Wardley	20–0–1 (19 KO)	WBO
3	Agit Kabayel	26–0 (18 KO)
4	Joseph Parker	36–4 (24 KO)
5	Daniel Dubois	22–3 (21 KO)
6	Filip Hrgović	19–1 (14 KO)
7	Zhilei Zhang	27–3–1 (22 KO)
8	Martin Bakole	21–2–1 (16 KO)
9	Moses Itauma	13–0 (11 KO)
10	Efe Ajagaba	20–1–1 (14 KO)

BoxRec

As of 30 December 2025.^[9]

Rank	Name	Record (W–L–D)	Title(s)
1	Oleksandr Usyk	24–0–0 (15 KO)	WBA, WBC, IBF
2	Fabio Wardley	20–0–1 (19 KO)	WBO
3	Agit Kabayel	26–0–0 (18 KO)
4	Daniel Dubois	22–3–0 (21 KO)
5	Murat Gassiev	33–2–0 (26 KO)
6	Lawrence Okolie	22–1–0 (16 KO)
7	Anthony Joshua	29–4–0 (26 KO)
8	Joseph Parker	36-4-0 (24 KO)
9	Filip Hrgovic	19-1-0 (14 KO)
10	Richard Riakporhe	19-1-0 (15 KO)

Longest-reigning world heavyweight champions

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Keys:

<templatestyles src="Legend/styles.css" /> Active title reign

<templatestyles src="Legend/styles.css" /> Reign has ended

Note 1: WBA (Regular) champions are not included

Note 2: WBO heavyweight title bouts before August 1997 are not included^[10]

Note 3: The names in italics are champions that did not win The Ring championship/lineal championship (August 29, 1885–July 2, 1921)/undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present)

Combined reign

The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after 1921.

As of 09 September 2025.

Pos.	Name	Combined reign	Days as champion	Number of reigns	Title recognition	Cumulative title wins	Opponents beaten
1.	Wladimir Klitschko	12 years, 0 months, 0 days	4 382	2	WBA, IBF, WBO	25	23
2.	Joe Louis	11 years, 8 months, 8 days	4 270	1	NYSAC, NBA	27	22
3.	Muhammad Ali	9 years, 5 months, 5 days	3 443	3	NYSAC, WBA, WBC	22	21
4.	Lennox Lewis	8 years, 5 months, 13 days	3 086	3	WBA, WBC, IBF	15	15
5.	Vitali Klitschko	7 years, 5 months, 28 days	2 735	3	WBC, WBO	15	15
6.	Larry Holmes	7 years, 3 months, 12 days	2 661	1	WBC, IBF	20	20
7.	Jack Dempsey	7 years, 2 months, 19 days	2 638	1	NYSAC, NBA	6	6
8.	John L. Sullivan	7 years, 0 months, 10 days	2 566	1	Universal	5	5
9.	Jack Johnson	6 years, 3 months, 11 days	2 292	1	Universal	6	6
10.	Evander Holyfield	6 years, 1 month, 1 day	2 223	4	WBA, WBC, IBF	11	10
11.	James J. Jeffries	5 years, 11 months, 4 days	2 156	1	Universal	8	6
12.	Tyson Fury	5 years, 1 month, 12 days	1 866	2	WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO	5	4
13.	Deontay Wilder	5 years, 1 month, 5 days	1 859	1	WBC	10	8
14.	Anthony Joshua	4 years, 11 months, 17 days	1 806	2	WBA, IBF, WBO	9	9
15.	Joe Frazier	4 years, 10 months, 18 days	1 785	1	NYSAC, WBA, WBC	10	10

Individual reign

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.

As of 2 October 2025.

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/Lineal)
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.	Deontay Wilder	5 years, 1 month 5 days	WBC
11.	Joe Frazier	4 years, 10 months, 18 days	NYSAC (+WBA, WBC)
12.	James J. Corbett	4 years, 6 months, 10 days	Lineal
13.	Oleksandr Usyk	Template:Age in years, months, weeks and days	WBO, IBF (+WBA, WBC, The Ring /Lineal) ^[11]
14.	Jess Willard	4 years, 2 months, 29 days	Lineal
15.	Tyson Fury	4 years, 2 months, 26 days	WBC (+The Ring/Lineal)
16.	Lennox Lewis	4 years, 2 months, 15 days	WBC (+IBF, WBA stripped, The Ring/Lineal)

Amateur

The lower limit for heavyweight was established in 1948 at Script error: No such module "convert".. A weight class named "super heavyweight" was established in 1984, and with it a maximum Script error: No such module "convert". for the heavyweight division.

Kickboxing

In kickboxing, a heavyweight fighter generally weighs between Template:Cvt. The fighters over Template:Cvt are considered super heavyweights.
International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) Heavyweight (Pro & Amateur) Template:Cvt.
In Glory promotion, a heavyweight division is over Template:Cvt and no upper weight limit.
In ONE Championship, the heavyweight division has an upper limit of Script error: No such module "convert"..

Mixed martial arts

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". The heavyweight division in MMA generally groups fighters between Template:Cvt.

Heavyweight is also the title of a documentary film that documented the fight camp of Fabrício Werdum when he became the UFC Heavyweight Champion.^[12]

Wrestling

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". The term "world heavyweight" in modern wrestling generally refers to a champion wrestler who is seen as a prominent competitor, rather than an adherent to a particular weight class. The World Heavyweight Championship in wrestling is usually considered the main title in a given promotion. Prior to the wrestling industry publicly acknowledging the predetermined nature of the sport, a Heavyweight title was generally competed for by larger wrestlers while smaller wrestlers competed as (among other names and classifications) "Junior Heavyweights", "Cruiserweights" and "Light-Heavyweights". The lucha libre promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre notably still has weight division for its champions. While most other promotions do not.

Analogous uses

The word "heavyweight" is sometimes used in other fields (e.g. politics) to denote a person who is especially powerful or influential. Other boxing analogies include "punching above his [their] weight" to denote a person or entity (e.g. a country) whose influence is arguably greater than his/its basic attributes would suggest.

References

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↑ 'Heavy' Date, AAU News, 1975, v. 45, p. 10.
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↑ Longest reigning boxing world champion
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↑
Several IBHOF inductees’ professional boxing records printed in the organization's official record books indicate that IBHOF did not recognize WBO as a major organization until at least August 23, 1997:
- IBHOF official record book, 1997 edition
  - Sugar Ray Leonard's opponent Thomas Hearns, who was defending the WBO super middleweight title against him on 12 June 1989, is not marked as World Champion
- IBHOF official record book, 1999 edition
  - Sugar Ray Leonard's opponent Thomas Hearns, who was defending the WBO super middleweight title against him on 12 June 1989, is not marked as World Champion
- IBHOF official record book, 2002 edition
  - Sugar Ray Leonard's opponent Thomas Hearns, who was defending the WBO super middleweight title against him on 12 June 1989, is not marked as World Champion
- IBHOF official record book, 2006 edition
  - Sugar Ray Leonard's opponent Thomas Hearns, who was defending the WBO super middleweight title against him on 12 June 1989, is not marked as World Champion
  - Michael Carbajal's opponent Josue Camacho, who was defending the WBO junior flyweight title against him on 15 July 1994, is not marked as World Champion
  - Michael Carbajal's opponent Jorge Arce, who was defending the WBO junior flyweight title against him on 31 July 1999, is marked as World Champion
- IBHOF official record book, 2011 edition
  - Sugar Ray Leonard's opponent Thomas Hearns, who was defending the WBO super middleweight title against him on 12 June 1989, is not marked as World Champion
  - Michael Carbajal's opponent Josue Camacho, who was defending the WBO junior flyweight title against him on 15 July 1994, is not marked as World Champion
  - Ricardo Lopez's opponent Alex Sanchez, who was defending the WBO minimumweight title against him on 23 August 1997, is marked as World Champion
  - Michael Carbajal's opponent Jorge Arce, who was defending the WBO junior flyweight title against him on 31 July 1999, is marked as World Champion
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External links

Barry Hugman's Boxing Template:Category handler^{[<span title="Script error: No such module "string".">usurped]}Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

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[1] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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[5] 'Heavy' Date, AAU News, 1975, v. 45, p. 10.

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[7] Longest reigning boxing world champion

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[wbotitlebouts-10] Several IBHOF inductees’ professional boxing records printed in the organization's official record books indicate that IBHOF did not recognize WBO as a major organization until at least August 23, 1997:
IBHOF official record book, 1997 edition
Sugar Ray Leonard's opponent Thomas Hearns, who was defending the WBO super middleweight title against him on 12 June 1989, is not marked as World Champion

IBHOF official record book, 1999 edition
Sugar Ray Leonard's opponent Thomas Hearns, who was defending the WBO super middleweight title against him on 12 June 1989, is not marked as World Champion

IBHOF official record book, 2002 edition
Sugar Ray Leonard's opponent Thomas Hearns, who was defending the WBO super middleweight title against him on 12 June 1989, is not marked as World Champion

IBHOF official record book, 2006 edition
Sugar Ray Leonard's opponent Thomas Hearns, who was defending the WBO super middleweight title against him on 12 June 1989, is not marked as World Champion

Michael Carbajal's opponent Josue Camacho, who was defending the WBO junior flyweight title against him on 15 July 1994, is not marked as World Champion

Michael Carbajal's opponent Jorge Arce, who was defending the WBO junior flyweight title against him on 31 July 1999, is marked as World Champion

IBHOF official record book, 2011 edition
Sugar Ray Leonard's opponent Thomas Hearns, who was defending the WBO super middleweight title against him on 12 June 1989, is not marked as World Champion

Michael Carbajal's opponent Josue Camacho, who was defending the WBO junior flyweight title against him on 15 July 1994, is not marked as World Champion

Ricardo Lopez's opponent Alex Sanchez, who was defending the WBO minimumweight title against him on 23 August 1997, is marked as World Champion

Michael Carbajal's opponent Jorge Arce, who was defending the WBO junior flyweight title against him on 31 July 1999, is marked as World Champion

[11] IBHOF official record book, 1997 edition
Sugar Ray Leonard's opponent Thomas Hearns, who was defending the WBO super middleweight title against him on 12 June 1989, is not marked as World Champion

[12] Sugar Ray Leonard's opponent Thomas Hearns, who was defending the WBO super middleweight title against him on 12 June 1989, is not marked as World Champion

[13] IBHOF official record book, 1999 edition
Sugar Ray Leonard's opponent Thomas Hearns, who was defending the WBO super middleweight title against him on 12 June 1989, is not marked as World Champion

[14] Sugar Ray Leonard's opponent Thomas Hearns, who was defending the WBO super middleweight title against him on 12 June 1989, is not marked as World Champion

[15] IBHOF official record book, 2002 edition
Sugar Ray Leonard's opponent Thomas Hearns, who was defending the WBO super middleweight title against him on 12 June 1989, is not marked as World Champion

[16] Sugar Ray Leonard's opponent Thomas Hearns, who was defending the WBO super middleweight title against him on 12 June 1989, is not marked as World Champion

[17] IBHOF official record book, 2006 edition
Sugar Ray Leonard's opponent Thomas Hearns, who was defending the WBO super middleweight title against him on 12 June 1989, is not marked as World Champion

Michael Carbajal's opponent Josue Camacho, who was defending the WBO junior flyweight title against him on 15 July 1994, is not marked as World Champion

Michael Carbajal's opponent Jorge Arce, who was defending the WBO junior flyweight title against him on 31 July 1999, is marked as World Champion

[18] Sugar Ray Leonard's opponent Thomas Hearns, who was defending the WBO super middleweight title against him on 12 June 1989, is not marked as World Champion

[19] Michael Carbajal's opponent Josue Camacho, who was defending the WBO junior flyweight title against him on 15 July 1994, is not marked as World Champion

[20] Michael Carbajal's opponent Jorge Arce, who was defending the WBO junior flyweight title against him on 31 July 1999, is marked as World Champion

[21] IBHOF official record book, 2011 edition
Sugar Ray Leonard's opponent Thomas Hearns, who was defending the WBO super middleweight title against him on 12 June 1989, is not marked as World Champion

Michael Carbajal's opponent Josue Camacho, who was defending the WBO junior flyweight title against him on 15 July 1994, is not marked as World Champion

Ricardo Lopez's opponent Alex Sanchez, who was defending the WBO minimumweight title against him on 23 August 1997, is marked as World Champion

Michael Carbajal's opponent Jorge Arce, who was defending the WBO junior flyweight title against him on 31 July 1999, is marked as World Champion

[22] Sugar Ray Leonard's opponent Thomas Hearns, who was defending the WBO super middleweight title against him on 12 June 1989, is not marked as World Champion

[23] Michael Carbajal's opponent Josue Camacho, who was defending the WBO junior flyweight title against him on 15 July 1994, is not marked as World Champion

[24] Ricardo Lopez's opponent Alex Sanchez, who was defending the WBO minimumweight title against him on 23 August 1997, is marked as World Champion

[25] Michael Carbajal's opponent Jorge Arce, who was defending the WBO junior flyweight title against him on 31 July 1999, is marked as World Champion

[Usyk-record-11] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[12] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

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[11]

[12]

Heavyweight: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 00:14, 31 December 2025

Contents

Boxing

Professional

Historical development

Current world champions

Current world rankings

The Ring

BoxRec

Longest-reigning world heavyweight champions

Combined reign

Individual reign

Amateur

Kickboxing

Mixed martial arts

Wrestling

Analogous uses

References

External links

Navigation menu

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{short description|Weight class in combat sports}}
 {{other uses}}
-[[File:Andrew_Golota_vs_Kevin_McBride.jpg|thumb|right|Heavyweight boxers Andrew Golota (on the left) vs. Kevin McBride at the Madison Square Garden]]
+[[File:Andrew_Golota_vs_Kevin_McBride.jpg|thumb|right|Heavyweight boxers [[Andrew Golota]] (on the left) vs. [[Kevin McBride]] at [[Madison Square Garden]]]]
 '''Heavyweight'''  is a [[weight class]] in [[combat sport]]s and [[professional wrestling]].
 ==Boxing==
 ===Professional===
-Male boxers who weigh over {{convert|200|lb|kg stlb|lk=in}} are considered heavyweights by 2 of the 4 major professional boxing organizations: the [[International Boxing Federation]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iboboxing.com/ibo_championship_rules_and_regulations.html |work=IBO and also the sink board of control. But Championship Rules & Regulations |title=4. Weight Classes |quote=  Over 200 lbs. |publisher=[[International Boxing Organization]] |access-date=2007-08-11 |archive-date=2013-10-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010045417/http://www.iboboxing.com/ibo_championship_rules_and_regulations.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the [[World Boxing Organization]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wbo-int.com/revised/WBORulesReg04APR07.pdf |publisher=[[World Boxing Organization]] |work=Regulations of World Championship Contests |title=3. Weight Classes |quote=Heavyweight Over 200lbs or 90.91 kg.|access-date=2007-08-11 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926061740/http://www.wbo-int.com/revised/WBORulesReg04APR07.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-09-26}}</ref> In 2020, the [[World Boxing Council]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Ratings Heavyweight (over 200-90.719)|url=http://www.wbcboxing.com/WBCboxing/Portal/cfpages/contentmgr.cfm?docId=94&docTipo=4&orderby=docid&sortby=ASC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070810070242/http://www.wbcboxing.com/WBCboxing/Portal/cfpages/contentmgr.cfm?docId=94&docTipo=4&orderby=docid&sortby=ASC <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archive-date=2007-08-10|access-date=2007-08-11|publisher=[[World Boxing Council]]}}</ref> increased their heavyweight classification to 224 pounds (102&nbsp;kg; 16 st)  to allow for their creation of the [[bridgerweight]] division. The [[World Boxing Association]] (WBA) did the same in 2023.<ref name="WBA 2023 ESPN">{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/39020519/wba-joins-wbc-adding-18th-weight-class-super-cruiserweight |title=WBA joins WBC in adding 18th weight class with super cruiserweight |website=ESPN |date=2023-12-01}}</ref> Female boxers who weigh over {{convert|175|lb|kg stlb|lk=in}} are considered heavyweights by 2 of the 4 major boxing organizations: the IBF and the WBC. The WBA and WBO do not have a female heavyweight world title.
+Male boxers who weigh over {{convert|200|lb|kg stlb|lk=in}} are considered heavyweights by 2 of the 4 major professional boxing organizations: the [[International Boxing Federation]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iboboxing.com/ibo_championship_rules_and_regulations.html |work=IBO and also the sink board of control. But Championship Rules & Regulations |title=4. Weight Classes |quote=  Over 200 lbs. |publisher=[[International Boxing Organization]] |access-date=2007-08-11 |archive-date=2013-10-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010045417/http://www.iboboxing.com/ibo_championship_rules_and_regulations.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the [[World Boxing Organization]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wbo-int.com/revised/WBORulesReg04APR07.pdf |publisher=[[World Boxing Organization]] |work=Regulations of World Championship Contests |title=3. Weight Classes |quote=Heavyweight Over 200lbs or 90.91 kg.|access-date=2007-08-11 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926061740/http://www.wbo-int.com/revised/WBORulesReg04APR07.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-09-26}}</ref> In 2020, the [[World Boxing Council]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Ratings Heavyweight (over 200-90.719)|url=http://www.wbcboxing.com/WBCboxing/Portal/cfpages/contentmgr.cfm?docId=94&docTipo=4&orderby=docid&sortby=ASC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070810070242/http://www.wbcboxing.com/WBCboxing/Portal/cfpages/contentmgr.cfm?docId=94&docTipo=4&orderby=docid&sortby=ASC <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archive-date=2007-08-10|access-date=2007-08-11|publisher=[[World Boxing Council]]}}</ref> increased their heavyweight classification to 224 pounds (102&nbsp;kg; 16 st)  to allow for their creation of the [[bridgerweight]] division. The [[World Boxing Association]] (WBA) did the same in 2023.<ref name="WBA 2023 ESPN">{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/39020519/wba-joins-wbc-adding-18th-weight-class-super-cruiserweight |title=WBA joins WBC in adding 18th weight class with super cruiserweight |website=ESPN |date=2023-12-01}}</ref> Female boxers who weigh over {{convert|175|lb|kg stlb|lk=in}} are considered heavyweights by all four of the boxing federations.
 ====Historical development====
@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 Since 1975, the [[Amateur Athletic Union of the United States]] and the Soviet Sports Committee established a new concept in international boxing, called "Heavy Duals," an all-heavyweight team contest between the United States and the Soviet Union.<ref>'Heavy' Date, ''AAU News'', 1975, v. 45, p. 10.</ref>
-As of 2025, [[Wladimir Klitschko]] holds records of beating the most boxers for the world heavyweight title, with 23, and the [[World heavyweight boxing championship records and statistics#Longest title reigns|longest cumulative heavyweight title reign]] of all time, with 4,382 days as world heavyweight champion.{{refn|group=nb|Attributed to multiple sources: <ref name=guinness-world-records-most-days-as-hw-ch>{{cite web |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/496533-most-days-as-a-heavyweight-boxing-champion|title=Most days as a heavyweight boxing champion|work=[[Guinness World Records]]|access-date=15 March 2024}}</ref><ref name=business-insider-sg>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/wladimir-klitschko-we-fight-were-killed-we-rebuild-we-celebrate-we-live-w985xgkbr |title=Wladimir Klitschko: We fight, we’re killed, we rebuild, we celebrate, we live|publisher=[[The Times]]|access-date=28 June 2025 |archive-date=2 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802055026/https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/wladimir-klitschko-we-fight-were-killed-we-rebuild-we-celebrate-we-live-w985xgkbr}}</ref><ref name=boxing-records>{{cite web |url=https://sport.24tv.ua/volodimiru_klichku__44_naykrashhi_nokauti_boksera_n1303940 |title=Володимиру Кличку – 44: найкращі нокаути боксера|date=25 March 2020 |access-date=5 February 2021 |language=Ukrainian}}</ref><ref name=klitschko-rekord>{{cite web |url=https://sport.segodnya.ua/sport/boxing/ukraina-sdelala-svoy-vybor-nazvan-luchshiy-bokser-v-istorii-1580204.html|title=Украина сделала свой выбор! Назван лучший боксер в истории страны|access-date=28 April 2022|language=ru}}</ref><ref name=klitschko-rekord2>{{cite web |url=https://www.polsatsport.pl/wiadomosc/2022-04-25/wladimir-kliczko-wroci-na-ring-jesli-wojna-sie-skonczy/|title=Władimir Kliczko wróci na ring? "Jeśli wojna się skończy..."|date=25 April 2022 |publisher=[[Polsat Sport]]|access-date=30 April 2022 |language=pl}}</ref><ref name=klitschko-reuters>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-boxing-heavyweight-fury-idUSKBN22W0OR |title=Fury 'mentally happy' to be in ring, eyes Klitschko-like reign |work=Reuters |date=20 May 2020|access-date=8 February 2021}}</ref>}} [[Joe Louis]] has won the most world heavyweight title bouts, with 27,<ref name=boxing-records/> and had the most consecutive title defenses, with 26.{{refn|group=nb|According to [[BoxRec]] and [[IBHOF]], Louis' fight against Johnny Davis in 1944, viewed by many as an exhibition fight, was for the NYSAC heavyweight title, which would lift Louis' title defenses to 26|exhibition according to some sources; other sources including IBHOF consider it a legitimate title fight, which would bring Louis' defenses to 26.}} This is also the record for most consecutive title defenses in boxing history.<ref>[https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/reign-longest-(boxing)/ Longest reigning boxing world champion]</ref>
+As of 2025, [[Wladimir Klitschko]] holds records of beating the most boxers for the world heavyweight title, with 23, and the [[World heavyweight boxing championship records and statistics#Longest title reigns|longest cumulative heavyweight title reign]] of all time, with 4,382 days as world heavyweight champion.{{refn|group=nb|Attributed to multiple sources:<ref name=guinness-world-records-most-days-as-hw-ch>{{cite web |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/496533-most-days-as-a-heavyweight-boxing-champion|title=Most days as a heavyweight boxing champion|work=[[Guinness World Records]]|access-date=15 March 2024}}</ref><ref name=business-insider-sg>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/wladimir-klitschko-we-fight-were-killed-we-rebuild-we-celebrate-we-live-w985xgkbr |title=Wladimir Klitschko: We fight, we're killed, we rebuild, we celebrate, we live|work=[[The Times]]|access-date=28 June 2025 |archive-date=2 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802055026/https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/wladimir-klitschko-we-fight-were-killed-we-rebuild-we-celebrate-we-live-w985xgkbr}}</ref><ref name=boxing-records>{{cite web |url=https://sport.24tv.ua/volodimiru_klichku__44_naykrashhi_nokauti_boksera_n1303940 |title=Володимиру Кличку – 44: найкращі нокаути боксера|date=25 March 2020 |access-date=5 February 2021 |language=Ukrainian}}</ref><ref name=klitschko-rekord>{{cite web |url=https://sport.segodnya.ua/sport/boxing/ukraina-sdelala-svoy-vybor-nazvan-luchshiy-bokser-v-istorii-1580204.html|title=Украина сделала свой выбор! Назван лучший боксер в истории страны|access-date=28 April 2022|language=ru}}</ref><ref name=klitschko-rekord2>{{cite web |url=https://www.polsatsport.pl/wiadomosc/2022-04-25/wladimir-kliczko-wroci-na-ring-jesli-wojna-sie-skonczy/|title=Władimir Kliczko wróci na ring? "Jeśli wojna się skończy..."|date=25 April 2022 |publisher=[[Polsat Sport]]|access-date=30 April 2022 |language=pl}}</ref><ref name=klitschko-reuters>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-boxing-heavyweight-fury-idUSKBN22W0OR |title=Fury 'mentally happy' to be in ring, eyes Klitschko-like reign |work=Reuters |date=20 May 2020|access-date=8 February 2021}}</ref>}} [[Joe Louis]] has won the most world heavyweight title bouts, with 27,<ref name=boxing-records/> and had the most consecutive title defenses, with 26.{{refn|group=nb|According to [[BoxRec]] and [[IBHOF]], Louis' fight against Johnny Davis in 1944, viewed by many as an exhibition fight, was for the NYSAC heavyweight title, which would lift Louis' title defenses to 26|exhibition according to some sources; other sources including IBHOF consider it a legitimate title fight, which would bring Louis' defenses to 26.}} This is also the record for most consecutive title defenses in boxing history.<ref>[https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/reign-longest-(boxing)/ Longest reigning boxing world champion]</ref>
 Four boxers have regained the heavyweight title in an immediate rematch: [[Floyd Patterson]] in 1960, [[Muhammad Ali]] in 1978, [[Lennox Lewis]] in 2001, and [[Anthony Joshua]] in 2019. [[George Foreman]] holds the record for being the oldest heavyweight to ever achieve championship status, becoming champion at the age of 45, while [[Mike Tyson]] possesses the record for youngest heavyweight champion at 20. Tyson also became the first heavyweight to own all three major belts – WBA, WBC, and IBF as well as The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles at the same time.
@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 |September 25, 2021
 |[[Oleksandr Usyk]]
-|23–0 (14 KO)
+|24–0 (15 KO)
-|align=center|4
+|align=center|5
 |-
 |[[World Boxing Council|WBC]]
 |May 18, 2024
 |[[Oleksandr Usyk]]
-|23–0 (14 KO)
+|24–0 (15 KO)
-|align=center|1
+|align=center|2
 |-
 |[[International Boxing Federation|IBF]]
-|June 26, 2024
+|July 19, 2025
-|[[Daniel Dubois]]
+|[[Oleksandr Usyk]]
-|22–2 (21 KO)
+|24–0 (15 KO)
-|align=center|1
+|align=center|0
 |-
 |[[World Boxing Organization|WBO]]
-|September 25, 2021
+|November 17, 2025
-|[[Oleksandr Usyk]]
+|[[Fabio Wardley]]
-|23–0 (14 KO)
+|20–0–1 (19 KO)
-|align=center|4
+|align=center|0
 |}
@@ Line 57: / Line 57: @@
 =====''The Ring''=====
-As of February 26, 2025.<ref name=ring-hw-ratings>{{Cite web|url=https://ringmagazine.com/en/ring-ranking|title=The Ring ratings: heavyweight|access-date=26 February 2025}}</ref>
+As of November 17, 2025.<ref name=ring-hw-ratings>{{Cite web|url=https://ringmagazine.com/en/ring-ranking|title=The Ring ratings: heavyweight|access-date=21 August 2025}}</ref>
 Keys:
@@ Line 70: / Line 70: @@
 |bgcolor=gold|C
 |[[Oleksandr Usyk]]
-|23–0 (14 KO)
+|24–0 (15 KO)
-|[[World Boxing Association|WBA]], [[World Boxing Organisation|WBO]], [[World Boxing Council|WBC]]
+|[[World Boxing Association|WBA]], [[World Boxing Council|WBC]], [[International Boxing Federation|IBF]]
 |-
 |1
@@ Line 79: / Line 79: @@
 |-
 |2
-|[[Daniel Dubois]]
+|[[Fabio Wardley]]
-|22–2 (21 KO)
+|20–0–1 (19 KO)
-|[[International Boxing Federation|IBF]]
+|[[World Boxing Organization|WBO]]
 |-
 |3
-|[[Joseph Parker]]
+|[[Agit Kabayel]]
-|36–3 (24 KO)
+|26–0 (18 KO)
 |
 |-
 |4
-|[[Agit Kabayel]]
+|[[Joseph Parker]]
-|26–0 (18 KO)
+|36–4 (24 KO)
 |
 |-
 |5
-|[[Anthony Joshua]]
+|[[Daniel Dubois]]
-|28–4 (25 KO)
+|22–3 (21 KO)
 |
 |-
 |6
-|[[Zhilei Zhang]]
+|[[Filip Hrgović]]
-|27–3–1 (22 KO)
+|19–1 (14 KO)
 |
 |-
 |7
-|[[Martin Bakole]]
+|[[Zhilei Zhang]]
-|21–2 (16 KO)
+|27–3–1 (22 KO)
 |
 |-
 |8
-|[[Filip Hrgović]]
+|[[Martin Bakole]]
-|17–1 (14 KO)
+|21–2–1 (16 KO)
 |
 |-
 |9
-|[[Fabio Wardley]]
+|[[Moses Itauma]]
-|18–0–1 (17 KO)
+|13–0 (11 KO)
 |
 |-
 |10
-|[[Efe Ajagba]]
+|[[Efe Ajagba|Efe Ajagaba]]
-|20–1 (14 KO)
+|20–1–1 (14 KO)
 |
 |}
@@ Line 126: / Line 126: @@
 =====BoxRec=====
-As of 22 December 2024.<ref name=boxrec-hw-ratings>{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/ratings?r%5Brole%5D=proboxer&r%5Bsex%5D=M&r%5Bdivision%5D=Heavyweight&r%5Bcountry%5D=&r%5Bstance%5D=&r%5Bstatus%5D=a&r_go=|title=BoxRec ratings: heavyweight, active|access-date=22 December 2024}}</ref>
+As of 30 December 2025.<ref name=boxrec-hw-ratings>{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/ratings/M/box-pro/Heavyweight?offset=0|title=BoxRec ratings: heavyweight, active|access-date=30 December 2025}}</ref>
 {| class="wikitable"
@@ Line 136: / Line 136: @@
 |1
 |[[Oleksandr Usyk]]
-|23–0–0 (14 KO)
+|24–0–0 (15 KO)
-|[[World Boxing Association|WBA]], [[World Boxing Organisation|WBO]], [[World Boxing Council|WBC]]
+|[[World Boxing Association|WBA]], [[World Boxing Council|WBC]], [[International Boxing Federation|IBF]]
 |-
 |2
-|[[Daniel Dubois (boxer)|Daniel Dubois]]
+|[[Fabio Wardley]]
-|22–2–0 (21 KO)
+|20–0–1 (19 KO)
-|[[International Boxing Federation|IBF]]
+|[[World Boxing Organization|WBO]]
 |-
 |3
 |[[Agit Kabayel]]
-|25–0–0 (17 KO)
+|26–0–0 (18 KO)
 |
 |-
 |4
-|[[Anthony Joshua]]
+|[[Daniel Dubois]]
-|28–4–0 (25 KO)
+|22–3–0 (21 KO)
 |
 |-
 |5
-|[[Martin Bakole]]
+|[[Murat Gassiev]]
-|21–1–0 (16 KO)
+|33–2–0 (26 KO)
 |
 |-
 |6
-|[[Tyson Fury]]
+|[[Lawrence Okolie]]
-|34–2–1 (24 KO)
+|22–1–0 (16 KO)
 |
 |-
 |7
-|[[Joseph Parker]]
+|[[Anthony Joshua]]
-|35–3–0 (23 KO)
+|29–4–0 (26 KO)
 |
 |-
 |8
-|[[Lawrence Okolie]]
+|[[Joseph Parker]]
-|21–1–0 (16 KO)
+|36-4-0 (24 KO)
 |
 |-
 |9
-|[[Zhilei Zhang]]
+|[[Filip Hrgovic]]
-|27–2–1 (22 KO)
+|19-1-0 (14 KO)
 |
 |-
 |10
-|[[Michael Hunter (American boxer)|Michael Hunter]]
+|[[Richard Riakporhe]]
-|23–1–2 (16 KO)
+|19-1-0 (15 KO)
 |
 |-
@@ Line 215: / Line 215: @@
 The list does not include ''The Ring'' and lineal championship fights after 1921.
-''As of 23 December 2024''.
+''As of 09 September 2025''.
 {| class="wikitable"
@@ Line 262: / Line 262: @@
 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.
-''As of 23 December 2024.''
+''As of 2 October 2025.''
 {| class="wikitable sortable"
@@ Line 271: / Line 271: @@
 ! style="background: #D1EEEE; background: black;« width=»10%" |<span style="color:yellow">Title recognition</span>
 |-
-| 1. || [[Joe Louis]] || 11 years, 8 months, 8 days || lineal
+| 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''/Lineal)
@@ Line 277: / Line 277: @@
 | 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
+| 4. || [[Jack Dempsey]] || 7 years, 2 months, 19 days || Lineal
 |-
-| 5. || [[John L. Sullivan]] ||  7 years, 0 months, 9 days  || lineal
+| 5. || [[John L. Sullivan]] ||  7 years, 0 months, 9 days  || Lineal
 |-
-| 6. || [[Jack Johnson (boxer)|Jack Johnson]] || 6 years, 3 months, 10 days || lineal
+| 6. || [[Jack Johnson (boxer)|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
+| 8. || [[James J. Jeffries]] || 5 years, 11 months, 4 days || Lineal
 |-
 | 9. || [[Vitali Klitschko]] || 5 years, 2 months, 4 days || WBC
@@ Line 293: / Line 293: @@
 | 11. ||  [[Joe Frazier]] || 4 years, 10 months, 18 days || NYSAC (+WBA, WBC)
 |-
-| 12. || [[James J. Corbett]] || 4 years, 6 months, 10 days || lineal
+| 12. || [[James J. Corbett]] || 4 years, 6 months, 10 days || Lineal
+|- style="background:#b2ffff;"
+| 13. || [[Oleksandr Usyk]] || data-sort-value="{{Age in days |month1=9 |day1=25 |year1=2021  }}" | {{Age in years, months, weeks and days |month1=9 |day1=26 |year1=2021}} || WBO, IBF (+WBA, WBC, ''The Ring'' /Lineal) <ref name="Usyk-record">{{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/de/box-pro/659772|title=Professional boxing record: Oleksandr Usyk |access-date=29 September 2025}}</ref>
+|-
+| 14. || [[Jess Willard]] ||  4 years, 2 months, 29 days  || Lineal
 |-
-| 13. || [[Jess Willard]] ||  4 years, 2 months, 29 days  || lineal
+| 15. || [[Tyson Fury]] ||  4 years, 2 months, 26 days  || WBC (+''The Ring''/Lineal)
 |-
-| 14. || [[Tyson Fury]] ||  4 years, 2 months, 26 days  || WBC (+''The Ring''/Lineal)
+| 16. || [[Lennox Lewis]] || 4 years, 2 months, 15 days || WBC (+IBF, WBA stripped, ''The Ring''/Lineal)
 |-
-| 15. || [[Lennox Lewis]] || 4 years, 2 months, 15 days || WBC (+IBF, WBA stripped, ''The Ring''/Lineal)
 |}
@@ Line 330: / Line 333: @@
 ==External links==
-* [https://www.hugmansworldchampionshipboxing.com/heavy/ Barry Hugman's Boxing]
+* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030239/https://www.hugmansworldchampionshipboxing.com/heavy/ Barry Hugman's Boxing]}}
 {{Boxing weight classes}}

Heavyweight: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 00:14, 31 December 2025

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