List of current world boxing champions

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 World Boxing Association (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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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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)

[edit]

WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring

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|
|
|

Oleksandr Usyk
Super champion
22–0 (14 KO)
September 25, 2021  | Oleksandr Usyk
22–0 (14 KO)
May 18, 2024  | Daniel Dubois
22–2 (21 KO)
June 26, 2024  | Oleksandr Usyk
22–0 (14 KO)
September 25, 2021  | Oleksandr Usyk
22–0 (14 KO)
August 20, 2022
Mahmoud Charr
Regular champion
34–4 (20 KO)
August 31, 2023  | Joseph Parker
Interim champion
35–3 (23 KO)
March 8, 2024

### Bridgerweight (224 lb/101.6 kg)

[edit]

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)

[edit]

WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring

|
|
|
|

Gilberto Ramírez
Super champion
47–1 (30 KO)
March 30, 2024  | Noel Mikaelian
27–2 (12 KO)
November 4, 2023  | 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)

[edit]

WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring

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|
|
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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)

[edit]

WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring

|
|
|
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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)

[edit]

WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring

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|
|
|

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)

[edit]

WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring

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|
|
|

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)

[edit]

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)

[edit]

WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring

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|
|
|

José Valenzuela
14–2 (9 KO)
August 3, 2024  | Alberto Puello
23–0 (10 KO)
June 24, 2024  | Liam Paro
25–0 (15 KO)
June 16, 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)

[edit]

WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring

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|
|
|

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)

[edit]

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
38–2–1 (31 KO)
August 12, 2023  | vacant
Albert Batyrgaziev
Interim champion
11–0 (7 KO)
July 12, 2024  | Óscar Valdez
Interim champion
32–2 (24 KO)
March 29, 2024

### Featherweight (126 lb/57.2 kg)

[edit]

WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring

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|
|
|

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
25–0 (21 KO)
December 9, 2023  | vacant

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

[edit]

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

### Bantamweight (118 lb/53.5 kg)

[edit]

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
9–0 (1 KO)
May 4, 2024  | Yoshiki Takei
10–0 (8 KO)
May 6, 2024  | vacant

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

[edit]

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)

[edit]

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

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

[edit]

WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring

|
|
|
|

vacant  | 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)

[edit]

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

[edit]

* Martial arts portal

* List of WBA world champions
* List of WBC world champions
* List of IBF world champions
* List of WBO world champions
* List of The Ring world champions
* List of current female world boxing champions
* List of undefeated world boxing champions (retired only)
* List of undisputed world boxing champions
* List of current boxing rankings

## References

[edit]

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.

## External links

[edit]

* Official list of current WBA champions
* Official list of current WBC champions
* Official list of current IBF champions
* Official list of current WBO champions
* Official list of current Ring magazine champions
* List of current boxing champions at BoxRec

* v
* t
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World professional boxing champions

* Current world champions
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Champions by
sanctioning body|

| Major world titles|

* WBA
* men
* women
* WBC
* men
* women
* IBF
* men
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* WBO
* men
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|

Other world titles|

* The Ring
* men
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* IBO
* men
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* TBRB
* WBF

Champions by
weight class|

* Heavyweight (200+ lb) (records and statistics)
* Cruiserweight (200 lb)
* Light heavyweight (175 lb)
* Super middleweight (168 lb)
* Middleweight (160 lb)
* Light middleweight (154 lb)
* Welterweight (147 lb)
* Light welterweight (140 lb)
* Lightweight (135 lb)
* Super featherweight (130 lb)
* Featherweight (126 lb)
* Super bantamweight (122 lb)
* Bantamweight (118 lb)
* Super flyweight (115 lb)
* Flyweight (112 lb)
* Light flyweight (108 lb)
* Mini flyweight (105 lb)
* Atomweight (102 lb)

Champions in
multiple weight classes|

* Triple champions
* list
* Quadruple champions
* list
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* list
* Sextuple champions
* list
* Septuple champions
* list
* Octuple champions
* list

Miscellaneous|

* Lineal championship
* Undisputed championship
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* Interim championship
* Undefeated champions

* Current rankings
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* current rankings
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