This is a list of current 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 today's 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, [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 seventeen 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 different weight divisions, more than any other boxer. 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]
Major sanctioning bodies
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 changed the status of their inactive champions to "Champion in Recess" in the past.
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 defences. 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 defences, 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 in order 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 titles including "Silver", "Diamond", "Emeritus", "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 in order 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.
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)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Anthony Joshua Super champion 
United Kingdom20–0–0–0 (20) April 29, 2017 |
Deontay Wilder
United States39–0–0–0 (38) January 17, 2015 |
Anthony Joshua
United Kingdom 20–0–0–0 (20) April 9, 2016 |
Joseph Parker
New Zealand24–0–0–0 (18) December 10, 2016 | |
|
Manuel Charr Regular champion 
Syria31–4–0–0 (17) November 25, 2017 |
Cruiserweight (200 lb, 90.7 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Denis Lebedev Super champion 
Russia30–2–0–1 (22) May 20, 2016 |
Mairis Briedis
Latvia23–0–0–0 (18) April 1, 2017 |
Murat Gassiev
Russia 25–0–0–1 (18) December 3, 2016 |
Oleksandr Usyk
Ukraine13–0–0–0 (11) September 17, 2016 | |
|
Yunier Dorticos Regular champion 
Cuba22–0–0–0 (21) May 20, 2016 |
Light heavyweight (175 lb, 79.4 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Dmitry Bivol
Russia 12–0–0–0 (10) October 14, 2017 |
Adonis Stevenson
Canada29–1–0–0 (24) June 8, 2013 |
Artur Beterbiev
Russia 12–0–0–0 (12) November 11, 2017 |
Sergey Kovalev
Russia 31–2–1–0 (27) November 25, 2017 |
Super middleweight (168 lb, 76.2 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
George Groves Super champion
United Kingdom27–3–0–0 (20) May 27, 2017 |
David Benavidez
United States 19–0–0–0 (17) September 8, 2017 |
Caleb Truax
United States 29–3–2–0 (18) December 9, 2017 |
Gilberto Ramírez
Mexico36–0–0–0 (24) April 9, 2016 | |
|
Tyron Zeuge Regular champion 
Germany21–0–1–0 (11) November 5, 2016 |
Andre Dirrell Interim champion
United States26–2–0–0 (16) May 20, 2017 |
Middleweight (160 lb, 72.6 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Gennady Golovkin Super champion 
Kazakhstan37–0–1–0 (33) June 3, 2014 |
Gennady Golovkin
Kazakhstan 37–0–1–0 (33) May 18, 2016 |
Gennady Golovkin
Kazakhstan 37–0–1–0 (33) October 17, 2015 |
Billy Joe Saunders
United Kingdom 25–0–0–0 (12) December 19, 2015 | |
|
Ryōta Murata Regular champion 
Japan13–1–0–0 (10) October 22, 2017 |
Light middleweight (154 lb, 69.9 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Erislandy Lara Super champion
Cuba25–2–2–0 (14) June 8, 2016 |
Jermell Charlo
United States 30–0–0–0 (15) May 21, 2016 |
Jarrett Hurd
United States 21–0–0–0 (15) February 25, 2017 |
Sadam Ali
United States 26–1–0–0 (14) December 2, 2017 | |
|
Brian Castaño Regular champion 
Argentina14–0–0–0 (10) October 28, 2017 |
Welterweight (147 lb, 66.7 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Keith Thurman Super champion
United States28–0–0–1 (22) January 16, 2015 |
Keith Thurman
United States 28–0–0–1 (22) March 4, 2017 |
Errol Spence
United States 22–0–0–0 (19) May 27, 2017 |
Jeff Horn
Australia18–0–1–0 (12) July 2, 2017 |
Light welterweight (140 lb, 63.5 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
| vacant | vacant |
Sergey Lipinets
Russia 13–0–0–0 (10) November 4, 2017 |
vacant |
Lightweight (135 lb, 61.2 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
Jorge Linares
Venezuela43–3–0–0 (27) September 24, 2016 |
Mikey Garcia
United States 37–0–0–0 (30) January 28, 2017 |
Robert Easter Jr.
United States 20–0–0–0 (14) September 9, 2016 |
vacant |
Super featherweight (130 lb, 59 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
Alberto Machado
Puerto Rico19–0–0–0 (16) October 21, 2017 |
Miguel Berchelt
Mexico 32–1–0–0 (28) January 28, 2017 |
Kenichi Ogawa
Japan 23–1–0–0 (17) December 9, 2017 |
Vasyl Lomachenko
Ukraine 10–1–0–0 (8) June 11, 2016 |
Featherweight (126 lb, 57.2 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Léo Santa Cruz Super champion
Mexico34–1–1–0 (19) January 28, 2017 |
Gary Russell Jr.
United States 28–1–0–0 (17) March 28, 2015 |
Lee Selby
United Kingdom 26–1–0–0 (9) May 30, 2015 |
Óscar Valdez
Mexico 23–0–0–0 (19) July 23, 2016 | |
|
Abner Mares Regular champion
Mexico31–2–1–0 (15) December 11, 2016 | ||||
| Jesus M. Rojas Interim champion
Puerto Rico26–1–2–1 (19) September 15, 2017 |
Super bantamweight (122 lb, 55.3 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Daniel Roman Regular champion
United States23–2–1–0 (9) September 3, 2017 |
Rey Vargas
Mexico 31–0–0–0 (22) February 25, 2017 |
Ryosuke Iwasa
Japan 24–2–0–0 (16) September 13, 2017 |
Jessie Magdaleno
United States 25–0–0–0 (18) November 5, 2016 | |
|
Moises Flores Interim champion
Mexico25–0–0–2 (17) April 18, 2015 |
Bantamweight (118 lb, 53.5 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Ryan Burnett Unified champion
United Kingdom18–0–0–0 (9) October 21, 2017 |
Luis Nery
Mexico 25–0–0–0 (19) August 15, 2017 |
Ryan Burnett
United Kingdom 18–0–0–0 (9) June 10, 2017 |
Zolani Tete
South Africa26–3–0–0 (21) April 22, 2017 | |
|
Jamie McDonnell Regular champion
United Kingdom29–2–1–1 (13) May 31, 2014 |
Super flyweight (115 lb, 52.2 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Khalid Yafai
United Kingdom 23–0–0–0 (14) December 10, 2016 |
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai
Thailand44–4–1–0 (40) March 18, 2017 |
Jerwin Ancajas
Philippines28–1–1–0 (19) September 3, 2016 |
Naoya Inoue
Japan 14–0–0–0 (12) December 30, 2014 |
Flyweight (112 lb, 50.8 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
| vacant |
Daigo Higa
Japan 14–0–0–0 (14) May 20, 2017 |
Donnie Nietes
Philippines 40–1–4–0 (22) April 29, 2017 |
Sho Kimura
Japan 15–1–2–0 (8) July 28, 2017 |
Light flyweight (108 lb, 49 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Ryoichi Taguchi
Japan 26–2–2–0 (12) December 31, 2014 |
Ken Shiro
Japan 11–0–0–0 (5) May 20, 2017 |
Milan Melindo
Philippines 37–2–0–0 (13) May 21, 2017 |
Ángel Acosta
Puerto Rico 17–1–0–0 (17) December 2, 2017 |
Minimumweight (105 lb, 47.6 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Thammanoon Niyomtrong
Thailand 16–0–0–0 (7) June 29, 2016 |
Chayaphon Moonsri
Thailand 49–0–0–0 (17) November 6, 2014 |
Hiroto Kyoguchi
Japan 8–0–0–0 (6) July 23, 2017 |
Ryuya Yamanaka
Japan 15–2–0–0 (4) August 27, 2017 |
Lineal titles
In combat sports where champions are decided by a challenge, the lineal championship of a weight class is a world championship title held initially by an undisputed champion and subsequently by a fighter who defeats the reigning champion in a match at that weight class. In professional boxing, the lineal champion is informally called "the man who beat the man". [12] [13]
The Ring
The boxing magazine The Ring maintains its own version of the lineal championship. The original sequence began from the magazine's first publication in the 1920s until the lineal championships 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. [14] CBZ commented in 2004, "The Ring has forfeited its credibility by pulling names out of its ass to name fighters as champions". [15] In 2007, The Ring was acquired by the owners of fight promoter Golden Boy Promotions, [16] 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). [17] Since 2012, to reduce the number of vacant titles, The Ring allows fights between a No. 1 or No. 2 contender and a No. 3, No. 4, or No. 5 contender to fill a vacant title. This has prompted further doubts about its credibility. [18] [19] [20]
Some boxing journalists have been extremely critical of the new championship policy and state that if this new policy is followed, the Ring title will lose the credibility it once held. [21] [22] [23]
Current champions
| Weight class | Champion | Record | Date won |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavyweight |
Tyson Fury (
GBR)
|
25–0–0–0 (18) | November 28, 2015 |
| Middleweight |
Canelo Álvarez (
MEX)
|
49–1–2–0 (34) | November 21, 2015 |
| Lightweight |
Jorge Linares (
VEN)
|
43–3–0–0 (27) | September 24, 2016 |
| Bantamweight |
Shinsuke Yamanaka (
JPN)
|
27–1–2–0 (19) | September 16, 2016 |
Transnational Boxing Rankings Board
The Transnational Boxing Rankings Board (TBRB) hands out the most complete version of the lineal championship and is universally recognized as the most authoritative boxing rankings in the world today. TBRB was formed in October 2012 as a volunteer initiative to provide boxing with authoritative top-ten rankings, identify the singular world champion of every division by strict reasoning and common sense, and to insist on the sport's reform. [24] [25] Board membership includes fifty respected boxing journalists and record keepers from around the world who are uncompromised by sanctioning bodies and promoters.
The board was formed to continue where The Ring "left off" in the aftermath of its purchase by Golden Boy Promotions in 2007 and the following dismissal of the editorial board headed by Nigel Collins. [26] After the new editors announced a controversial new championship policy in May 2012, [27] three prominent members of the Ring Advisory Panel resigned. These three members (Springs Toledo, Cliff Rold and Tim Starks) became the founding members of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, [28] which was formed over the summer of 2012 with the assistance of Stewart Howe of England. The board only awards vacant championships when the two top-ranked fighters in any division meet, and currently recognizes legitimate world champions or "true champions" in each weight class. [29]
Current champions
| Weight | Champion | Record | Date won |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light heavyweight |
Adonis Stevenson (
CAN)
|
25–1–0–0 (21) | June 8, 2013 |
| Junior featherweight |
Guillermo Rigondeaux (
CUB)
|
17–0–0–0 (11) | April 13, 2013 |
See also
- 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 lineal boxing world champions
- List of current female world boxing champions
- List of undefeated boxing world champions (retired only)
- List of undisputed boxing champions
- List of current boxing rankings
References
- ^ a b "Rules of World Boxing Association" (PDF). World Boxing Association. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
- ^ "World Boxing Council Rules and Regulations" (PDF). World Boxing Council. Retrieved January 6, 2011.
- ^ "IBF/USBA Rules Governing Championship Contests" (PDF). International Boxing Federation. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 27, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
- ^ "World Boxing Organization Regulations of World Championship Contests". World Boxing Organization. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
- ^ Lewis, Ron (October 13, 2008). "Vitali Klitschko impressive in comeback victory". The Times. Retrieved January 6, 2011.
- ^ "World Boxing Association History". World Boxing Association. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
- ^ "World Boxing Council". World Boxing Council. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
- ^ "Rules that have changed the History of Boxing". World Boxing Council. Archived from the original on September 25, 2007. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "WBO logo". World Boxing Organization. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
- ^ "WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests" (PDF). World Boxing Organization. Section 14.
- ^ Raskin, Eric (March 24, 2008). "In an ideal world, Casamayor fights the 'Galaxxy Warrior' next". ESPN. Retrieved November 20, 2008.
- ^ Castellano, Daniel J. (2005). "Critique of "Lineal" Boxing Championships". Repository of Arcane Knowledge. Retrieved November 19, 2008.
- ^ Boxing News : The Disputed Light Heavyweight Champion of the World
- ^ DeLisa, Mike (August 2004). "What the CBZ Means When it Refers to "Lineal Championships"". The CBZ Journal. cyberboxingzone. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Kimball, George (April 27, 2008). "Calzaghe claim far from undisputed". Boston Herald. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
- ^ Chat: Chat with Dan Rafael - SportsNation - ESPN
- ^ The Horrible New Ring Magazine Championship Policy - Queensberry Rules Archived May 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Ring Magazine's pretend rankings upgrade 'championship' policy – theboxingtribune.com
- ^ "Chat: Chat with Dan Rafael - SportsNation - ESPN". ESPN.com.
- ^ [1] Archived May 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Ring Magazine's pretend rankings upgrade 'championship' policy". theboxingtribune.com.
- ^ The Transnational Boxing Rankings Board: More Support is Needed - Boxing247
- ^ Raskin, Eric (April 2, 2013). "TBRB: A viable alphabet alternative?". ESPN.
- ^ Tim Starks (September 9, 2011). "The Ring Magazine Shakes Up Its Leadership, Threatens Its Credibility". The Queensberry Rules. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
- ^ The Ring Updates Championship Policy - The Ring Archived January 1, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Boxing loses credibility with every new champion. Can the sport be saved? - The Guardian
- ^ "What if boxing had one champion for every weight division?". The guardian. October 15, 2013. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
External links
- 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 and past lineal champions at Cyber Boxing Zone
- Boxing titles search function at BoxRec
This is a list of current 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 today's 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, [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 seventeen 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 different weight divisions, more than any other boxer. 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]
Major sanctioning bodies
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 changed the status of their inactive champions to "Champion in Recess" in the past.
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 defences. 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 defences, 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 in order 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 titles including "Silver", "Diamond", "Emeritus", "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 in order 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.
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)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Anthony Joshua Super champion
United Kingdom20–0–0–0 (20) April 29, 2017 |
Deontay Wilder
United States 39–0–0–0 (38) January 17, 2015 |
Anthony Joshua
United Kingdom 20–0–0–0 (20) April 9, 2016 |
Joseph Parker
New Zealand 24–0–0–0 (18) December 10, 2016 | |
|
Manuel Charr Regular champion
Syria31–4–0–0 (17) November 25, 2017 |
Cruiserweight (200 lb, 90.7 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Denis Lebedev Super champion
Russia30–2–0–1 (22) May 20, 2016 |
Mairis Briedis
Latvia 23–0–0–0 (18) April 1, 2017 |
Murat Gassiev
Russia 25–0–0–1 (18) December 3, 2016 |
Oleksandr Usyk
Ukraine 13–0–0–0 (11) September 17, 2016 | |
|
Yunier Dorticos Regular champion
Cuba22–0–0–0 (21) May 20, 2016 |
Light heavyweight (175 lb, 79.4 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Dmitry Bivol
Russia 12–0–0–0 (10) October 14, 2017 |
Adonis Stevenson
Canada 29–1–0–0 (24) June 8, 2013 |
Artur Beterbiev
Russia 12–0–0–0 (12) November 11, 2017 |
Sergey Kovalev
Russia 31–2–1–0 (27) November 25, 2017 |
Super middleweight (168 lb, 76.2 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
George Groves Super champion
United Kingdom27–3–0–0 (20) May 27, 2017 |
David Benavidez
United States 19–0–0–0 (17) September 8, 2017 |
Caleb Truax
United States 29–3–2–0 (18) December 9, 2017 |
Gilberto Ramírez
Mexico 36–0–0–0 (24) April 9, 2016 | |
|
Tyron Zeuge Regular champion
Germany21–0–1–0 (11) November 5, 2016 |
Andre Dirrell Interim champion
United States26–2–0–0 (16) May 20, 2017 |
Middleweight (160 lb, 72.6 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Gennady Golovkin Super champion
Kazakhstan37–0–1–0 (33) June 3, 2014 |
Gennady Golovkin
Kazakhstan 37–0–1–0 (33) May 18, 2016 |
Gennady Golovkin
Kazakhstan 37–0–1–0 (33) October 17, 2015 |
Billy Joe Saunders
United Kingdom 25–0–0–0 (12) December 19, 2015 | |
|
Ryōta Murata Regular champion
Japan13–1–0–0 (10) October 22, 2017 |
Light middleweight (154 lb, 69.9 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Erislandy Lara Super champion
Cuba25–2–2–0 (14) June 8, 2016 |
Jermell Charlo
United States 30–0–0–0 (15) May 21, 2016 |
Jarrett Hurd
United States 21–0–0–0 (15) February 25, 2017 |
Sadam Ali
United States 26–1–0–0 (14) December 2, 2017 | |
|
Brian Castaño Regular champion
Argentina14–0–0–0 (10) October 28, 2017 |
Welterweight (147 lb, 66.7 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Keith Thurman Super champion
United States28–0–0–1 (22) January 16, 2015 |
Keith Thurman
United States 28–0–0–1 (22) March 4, 2017 |
Errol Spence
United States 22–0–0–0 (19) May 27, 2017 |
Jeff Horn
Australia 18–0–1–0 (12) July 2, 2017 |
Light welterweight (140 lb, 63.5 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
| vacant | vacant |
Sergey Lipinets
Russia 13–0–0–0 (10) November 4, 2017 |
vacant |
Lightweight (135 lb, 61.2 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Jorge Linares
Venezuela 43–3–0–0 (27) September 24, 2016 |
Mikey Garcia
United States 37–0–0–0 (30) January 28, 2017 |
Robert Easter Jr.
United States 20–0–0–0 (14) September 9, 2016 |
vacant |
Super featherweight (130 lb, 59 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Alberto Machado
Puerto Rico 19–0–0–0 (16) October 21, 2017 |
Miguel Berchelt
Mexico 32–1–0–0 (28) January 28, 2017 |
Kenichi Ogawa
Japan 23–1–0–0 (17) December 9, 2017 |
Vasyl Lomachenko
Ukraine 10–1–0–0 (8) June 11, 2016 |
Featherweight (126 lb, 57.2 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Léo Santa Cruz Super champion
Mexico34–1–1–0 (19) January 28, 2017 |
Gary Russell Jr.
United States 28–1–0–0 (17) March 28, 2015 |
Lee Selby
United Kingdom 26–1–0–0 (9) May 30, 2015 |
Óscar Valdez
Mexico 23–0–0–0 (19) July 23, 2016 | |
|
Abner Mares Regular champion
Mexico31–2–1–0 (15) December 11, 2016 | ||||
| Jesus M. Rojas Interim champion
Puerto Rico26–1–2–1 (19) September 15, 2017 |
Super bantamweight (122 lb, 55.3 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Daniel Roman Regular champion
United States23–2–1–0 (9) September 3, 2017 |
Rey Vargas
Mexico 31–0–0–0 (22) February 25, 2017 |
Ryosuke Iwasa
Japan 24–2–0–0 (16) September 13, 2017 |
Jessie Magdaleno
United States 25–0–0–0 (18) November 5, 2016 | |
|
Moises Flores Interim champion
Mexico25–0–0–2 (17) April 18, 2015 |
Bantamweight (118 lb, 53.5 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Ryan Burnett Unified champion
United Kingdom18–0–0–0 (9) October 21, 2017 |
Luis Nery
Mexico 25–0–0–0 (19) August 15, 2017 |
Ryan Burnett
United Kingdom 18–0–0–0 (9) June 10, 2017 |
Zolani Tete
South Africa 26–3–0–0 (21) April 22, 2017 | |
|
Jamie McDonnell Regular champion
United Kingdom29–2–1–1 (13) May 31, 2014 |
Super flyweight (115 lb, 52.2 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Khalid Yafai
United Kingdom 23–0–0–0 (14) December 10, 2016 |
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai
Thailand 44–4–1–0 (40) March 18, 2017 |
Jerwin Ancajas
Philippines 28–1–1–0 (19) September 3, 2016 |
Naoya Inoue
Japan 14–0–0–0 (12) December 30, 2014 |
Flyweight (112 lb, 50.8 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
| vacant |
Daigo Higa
Japan 14–0–0–0 (14) May 20, 2017 |
Donnie Nietes
Philippines 40–1–4–0 (22) April 29, 2017 |
Sho Kimura
Japan 15–1–2–0 (8) July 28, 2017 |
Light flyweight (108 lb, 49 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Ryoichi Taguchi
Japan 26–2–2–0 (12) December 31, 2014 |
Ken Shiro
Japan 11–0–0–0 (5) May 20, 2017 |
Milan Melindo
Philippines 37–2–0–0 (13) May 21, 2017 |
Ángel Acosta
Puerto Rico 17–1–0–0 (17) December 2, 2017 |
Minimumweight (105 lb, 47.6 kg)
| WBA | WBC | IBF | WBO | The Ring |
|
Thammanoon Niyomtrong
Thailand 16–0–0–0 (7) June 29, 2016 |
Chayaphon Moonsri
Thailand 49–0–0–0 (17) November 6, 2014 |
Hiroto Kyoguchi
Japan 8–0–0–0 (6) July 23, 2017 |
Ryuya Yamanaka
Japan 15–2–0–0 (4) August 27, 2017 |
Lineal titles
In combat sports where champions are decided by a challenge, the lineal championship of a weight class is a world championship title held initially by an undisputed champion and subsequently by a fighter who defeats the reigning champion in a match at that weight class. In professional boxing, the lineal champion is informally called "the man who beat the man". [12] [13]
The Ring
The boxing magazine The Ring maintains its own version of the lineal championship. The original sequence began from the magazine's first publication in the 1920s until the lineal championships 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. [14] CBZ commented in 2004, "The Ring has forfeited its credibility by pulling names out of its ass to name fighters as champions". [15] In 2007, The Ring was acquired by the owners of fight promoter Golden Boy Promotions, [16] 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). [17] Since 2012, to reduce the number of vacant titles, The Ring allows fights between a No. 1 or No. 2 contender and a No. 3, No. 4, or No. 5 contender to fill a vacant title. This has prompted further doubts about its credibility. [18] [19] [20]
Some boxing journalists have been extremely critical of the new championship policy and state that if this new policy is followed, the Ring title will lose the credibility it once held. [21] [22] [23]
Current champions
| Weight class | Champion | Record | Date won |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavyweight |
Tyson Fury (
GBR)
|
25–0–0–0 (18) | November 28, 2015 |
| Middleweight |
Canelo Álvarez (
MEX)
|
49–1–2–0 (34) | November 21, 2015 |
| Lightweight |
Jorge Linares (
VEN)
|
43–3–0–0 (27) | September 24, 2016 |
| Bantamweight |
Shinsuke Yamanaka (
JPN)
|
27–1–2–0 (19) | September 16, 2016 |
Transnational Boxing Rankings Board
The Transnational Boxing Rankings Board (TBRB) hands out the most complete version of the lineal championship and is universally recognized as the most authoritative boxing rankings in the world today. TBRB was formed in October 2012 as a volunteer initiative to provide boxing with authoritative top-ten rankings, identify the singular world champion of every division by strict reasoning and common sense, and to insist on the sport's reform. [24] [25] Board membership includes fifty respected boxing journalists and record keepers from around the world who are uncompromised by sanctioning bodies and promoters.
The board was formed to continue where The Ring "left off" in the aftermath of its purchase by Golden Boy Promotions in 2007 and the following dismissal of the editorial board headed by Nigel Collins. [26] After the new editors announced a controversial new championship policy in May 2012, [27] three prominent members of the Ring Advisory Panel resigned. These three members (Springs Toledo, Cliff Rold and Tim Starks) became the founding members of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, [28] which was formed over the summer of 2012 with the assistance of Stewart Howe of England. The board only awards vacant championships when the two top-ranked fighters in any division meet, and currently recognizes legitimate world champions or "true champions" in each weight class. [29]
Current champions
| Weight | Champion | Record | Date won |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light heavyweight |
Adonis Stevenson (
CAN)
|
25–1–0–0 (21) | June 8, 2013 |
| Junior featherweight |
Guillermo Rigondeaux (
CUB)
|
17–0–0–0 (11) | April 13, 2013 |
See also
- 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 lineal boxing world champions
- List of current female world boxing champions
- List of undefeated boxing world champions (retired only)
- List of undisputed boxing champions
- List of current boxing rankings
References
- ^ a b "Rules of World Boxing Association" (PDF). World Boxing Association. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
- ^ "World Boxing Council Rules and Regulations" (PDF). World Boxing Council. Retrieved January 6, 2011.
- ^ "IBF/USBA Rules Governing Championship Contests" (PDF). International Boxing Federation. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 27, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
- ^ "World Boxing Organization Regulations of World Championship Contests". World Boxing Organization. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
- ^ Lewis, Ron (October 13, 2008). "Vitali Klitschko impressive in comeback victory". The Times. Retrieved January 6, 2011.
- ^ "World Boxing Association History". World Boxing Association. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
- ^ "World Boxing Council". World Boxing Council. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
- ^ "Rules that have changed the History of Boxing". World Boxing Council. Archived from the original on September 25, 2007. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "WBO logo". World Boxing Organization. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
- ^ "WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests" (PDF). World Boxing Organization. Section 14.
- ^ Raskin, Eric (March 24, 2008). "In an ideal world, Casamayor fights the 'Galaxxy Warrior' next". ESPN. Retrieved November 20, 2008.
- ^ Castellano, Daniel J. (2005). "Critique of "Lineal" Boxing Championships". Repository of Arcane Knowledge. Retrieved November 19, 2008.
- ^ Boxing News : The Disputed Light Heavyweight Champion of the World
- ^ DeLisa, Mike (August 2004). "What the CBZ Means When it Refers to "Lineal Championships"". The CBZ Journal. cyberboxingzone. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Kimball, George (April 27, 2008). "Calzaghe claim far from undisputed". Boston Herald. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
- ^ Chat: Chat with Dan Rafael - SportsNation - ESPN
- ^ The Horrible New Ring Magazine Championship Policy - Queensberry Rules Archived May 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Ring Magazine's pretend rankings upgrade 'championship' policy – theboxingtribune.com
- ^ "Chat: Chat with Dan Rafael - SportsNation - ESPN". ESPN.com.
- ^ [1] Archived May 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Ring Magazine's pretend rankings upgrade 'championship' policy". theboxingtribune.com.
- ^ The Transnational Boxing Rankings Board: More Support is Needed - Boxing247
- ^ Raskin, Eric (April 2, 2013). "TBRB: A viable alphabet alternative?". ESPN.
- ^ Tim Starks (September 9, 2011). "The Ring Magazine Shakes Up Its Leadership, Threatens Its Credibility". The Queensberry Rules. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
- ^ The Ring Updates Championship Policy - The Ring Archived January 1, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Boxing loses credibility with every new champion. Can the sport be saved? - The Guardian
- ^ "What if boxing had one champion for every weight division?". The guardian. October 15, 2013. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
External links
- 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 and past lineal champions at Cyber Boxing Zone
- Boxing titles search function at BoxRec