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World heavyweight boxing championship records and statistics

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Below is a list of world heavyweight boxing championship records and statistics.

Championship recognition

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As per International Boxing Hall Of Fame:[1][2][3][4][5]

1885–1921

World champions were initially recognized by wide public acclamation, with heavyweight champions winning and losing championship recognition solely in the ring. Retirements periodically resulted in no one, true champion being recognized, while in other cases new champions were proclaimed only to see a previously recognized champion come out of retirement. Public interest in boxing resulted in a true champion being determined by means of title claimants facing one another in the ring, with the winner being recognized as world champion.

Currently, International Boxing Hall Of Fame recognizes these world heavyweight title lineages from this period:[nb 1]

More information Date started, First champion ...

Sanctioning organizations: 1921–present

Gradually, the role of recognizing champions in the division evolved into a more formal affair, with public acclamation being supplemented (or in some cases, contradicted) by recognition by one or more athletic commissions, sanctioning organizations, or a combination of them. The International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) recognizes these organizations as major in boxing:

  • The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC). A governmental entity initially formed for the purpose of regulating boxing in the State of New York, thanks to New York's place as the epicenter of boxing from the 1930s through 1950s, the NYSAC expanded its reach to sanctioning championship bouts. This practice continued until, like the IBU, the NYSAC became a member of the WBC.
  • The National Boxing Association (NBA) was organized in 1921. In 1962, the organization was renamed the World Boxing Association (WBA).
  • The WBC was organized in 1963.
  • The IBF, which was founded in 1983 by the members of the United States Boxing Association after the USBA withdrew from membership in the WBA.
  • The WBO, founded in 1988. The IBHOF started recognizing WBO as a major organization no later than August 23, 1997.[nb 2]

There are also titles that are not considered major, but play a significant role in legitimizing the heavyweight champion:

  • The Ring began awarding championship belts in 1922, stopped giving belts to world champions in the 1990s, then reintroduced their title in 2002, and ignored the current ongoing world championship lineage. Under the original version of the policy, you could win the title by either defeating the reigning champion or winning a box-off between the magazine's No. 1 and No. 2 (occasionally No. 3) ranked contenders. A fighter could not be stripped of the title unless he lost or retired. Since May 2012, under the new policy, The Ring title can be awarded when the No. 1 and No. 2 contenders face each other or when either of them faces No. 3, No. 4 or No. 5 contender. In addition, the title can be taken away by losing the fight, not scheduling a fight for 18 months, not scheduling a fight with a top 5 contender for two years, or retiring.[15]
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Most opponents beaten in title fights

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Keys:

  Active title reign
  Reign has ended
  • Note: Secondary championships are not included.

All championship reigns

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Map of countries, number of beaten opponents in world heavyweight boxing championship fights reached by country citizen (as of December 2022). Note: secondary championships are not included

The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after July 2, 1921.

More information Pos., Name ...

All championship reigns of undisputed champions/lineal champions/The Ring champions

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Map of countries, number of beaten opponents in world heavyweight boxing championship fights reached by country citizen - undisputed champion (July 2, 1921-present), lineal champion (August 29, 1885–July 2, 1921), The Ring champion; as of December 2022. Note: secondary championships are not included

The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after July 2, 1921, although it only includes heavyweight champions that captured undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present), lineal championship (August 29, 1885 – July 2, 1921) or The Ring championship.

More information Pos., Name ...

Championship reigns of undisputed/lineal/The Ring champions with undisputed/lineal/The Ring/unified championships, victories over champions

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Diagram that represents top 26 world heavyweight champions by number of opponents beaten for the world heavyweight title (as of 20 July 2025)

The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after July 2, 1921, although it only includes heavyweight champions that captured undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present), lineal championship (August 29, 1885 – July 2, 1921) or The Ring championship.

The list only includes title reigns during which the champion:

  • has won undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present), The Ring championship, lineal championship (August 29, 1885 – July 2, 1921)
  • held at least two major world heavyweight titles[35][36][37] simultaneously
  • defeated a fighter that either had to drop his own world title prior to the fight due to organization's championship policy or would become world heavyweight champion while the winner's reign was still active

As of August 12, 2025.

More information Pos., Name ...
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Most wins in title fights

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Keys:

  Active title reign
  Reign has ended

All championship reigns

The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after July 2, 1921.

  • Note: Secondary championships are not included.
More information Pos., Name ...

All championship reigns of undisputed champions/lineal champions/The Ring champions

The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after July 2, 1921, although it only includes heavyweight champions that captured undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present), lineal championship (August 29, 1885 – July 2, 1921) or The Ring championship.

More information Pos., Name ...

Championship reigns of undisputed/lineal/The Ring champions with undisputed/lineal/The Ring/unified championships, victories over champions

The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after July 2, 1921, although it only includes heavyweight champions that captured undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present), lineal championship (August 29, 1885 – July 2, 1921) or The Ring championship.

The list only includes title reigns during which the champion:

  • has won undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present), The Ring championship, lineal championship (August 29, 1885 – July 2, 1921)
  • held at least two major world heavyweight titles[35][36][37] simultaneously
  • defeated a fighter that either had to drop his own world title prior to the fight due to organization's championship policy or would become world heavyweight champion while the winner's reign was still active

As of August 12, 2025.

More information Pos., Name ...
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Most opponents title was successfully defended against during one reign

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Perspective

Keys:

  Active title reign
  Reign has ended
  • Note: Secondary championships are not included.

All championship reigns

The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after July 2, 1921.

More information Pos., Name ...

Championship reigns with undisputed/lineal/The Ring championships

The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after July 2, 1921, although it only includes title reigns during which the champion captured undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present), lineal championship (August 29, 1885 – July 2, 1921) or The Ring championship.

More information Pos., Name ...
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Most consecutive title defenses

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Keys:

  Active title reign
  Reign has ended
  • Note: Secondary championships are not included.

All championship reigns

The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after July 2, 1921. For the purpose of this list, successful title defenses that ended in a draw are also included.

More information Pos., Name ...

Championship reigns with undisputed/lineal/The Ring championships

The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after July 2, 1921, although it only includes title reigns during which the champion captured undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present), lineal championship (August 29, 1885 – July 2, 1921) or The Ring championship. For the purpose of this list, successful title defenses that ended in a draw are also included.

More information Pos., Name ...
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Longest title reigns

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Keys:

  Active Title Reign
  Reign has ended
  • Note: Secondary championships are not included.

Combined reigns

All championship reigns

The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after July 2, 1921.

As of 8 April 2025.

More information Pos., Name ...

All championship reigns of undisputed champions/lineal champions/The Ring champions

The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after July 2, 1921, although it only includes heavyweight champions that captured undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present), lineal championship (August 29, 1885 – July 2, 1921) or The Ring championship.

As of 8 April 2025.

More information Pos., Name ...
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Vitali Klitschko (right) retired as champion in 2005. Following his retirement, the WBC conferred "champion emeritus" status on Klitschko, and assured him he would become the mandatory challenger if and when he decided to return

Championship reigns of undisputed/lineal/The Ring champions with undisputed/lineal/The Ring/unified championships, victories over champions

The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after July 2, 1921, although it only includes heavyweight champions that captured undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present), lineal championship (August 29, 1885 – July 2, 1921) or The Ring championship.

The list only includes title reigns during which the champion:

  • has won undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present), The Ring championship, lineal championship (August 29, 1885 – July 2, 1921)
  • held at least two major world heavyweight titles[35][36][37] simultaneously
  • defeated a fighter that either had to drop his own world title prior to the fight due to organization's championship policy or would later become world heavyweight champion while the winner's reign was still active

As of 8 April 2025.

More information Pos., Name ...

Individual reigns

Below is a list of longest reigning heavyweight champions in boxing measured by the individual's longest reign. Both The Ring and lineal championships are included. Career total time as champion (for multiple time champions) does not apply.

All championship reigns

As of 8 April 2025.

More information Pos., Name ...

Championship reigns with undisputed/lineal/The Ring championships

The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after July 2, 1921, although it only includes title reigns during which the champion captured undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present), lineal championship (August 29, 1885 – July 2, 1921) or The Ring championship.

As of 8 April 2025.

More information Pos., Name ...
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Title fight finishes

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Fastest stoppages in title fights — 1st round stoppages

More information Date, Fight ...

Fastest stoppages in title fights — undisputed/The Ring/lineal/unified championship on the line

More information Date, Fight ...

Most opponents beaten in title fights by stoppage

Keys:

  Active title reign
  Reign has ended
Note: The names in italics are champions that did not win undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present), The Ring championship or lineal championship (August 29, 1885–July 2, 1921)

Most title fight wins by stoppage

Keys:

  Active title reign
  Reign has ended
Note: The names in italics are champions that did not win undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present), The Ring championship or lineal championship (August 29, 1885–July 2, 1921)

Highest knockout-to-beat-opponent percentage in title fights

Keys:

  Active title reign
  Reign has ended
Note 1: The names in italics are champions that did not win undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present), The Ring championship or lineal championship (August 29, 1885–July 2, 1921)
Note 2: Only fighters who have defeated 5 or more opponents for the world heavyweight title are included
More information Name, Opponents fought ...

Highest knockout-to-win percentage in title fights

Keys:

  Active title reign
  Reign has ended
Note 1: The names in italics are champions that did not win undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present), The Ring championship or lineal championship (August 29, 1885–July 2, 1921)
Note 2: Only fighters who have won 5 or more world heavyweight title fights are included
More information Name, Title fights ...
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Champions by age

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Keys:

  Active title reign
  Reign has ended
  • Note: Secondary championships are not included.

Oldest champions

As of August 12, 2025.

This is the list of the oldest heavyweight champions ordered by age at their last day as champion.

All championship reigns

More information Name, Recognition ...

Championship reigns with undisputed/lineal/The Ring championships

The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after July 2, 1921, although it only includes title reigns during which the champion captured undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present), lineal championship (August 29, 1885 – July 2, 1921) or The Ring championship.

More information Name, Recognition ...

Youngest champions

As of August 12, 2025.

All championship reigns

More information Name, Recognition ...

Championship reigns with undisputed/lineal/The Ring championships

The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after July 2, 1921, although it only includes title reigns during which the champion captured undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present), lineal championship (August 29, 1885 – July 2, 1921) or The Ring championship.

More information Name, Recognition ...
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Fastest world championship wins

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By time elapsed from professional debut

Ranked by the time elapsed between professional debut and world heavyweight title win.

All championship reigns

More information Name, Professional debut ...

Championship reigns with undisputed/lineal/The Ring championships

The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after July 2, 1921, although it only includes title reigns during which the champion captured undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present), lineal championship (August 29, 1885 – July 2, 1921) or The Ring championship.

More information Name, Professional debut ...

By number of bouts fought to win world championship

Ranked by the number of bouts boxer fought at the professional level before winning world heavyweight title.

All championship reigns

More information Name, Professional debut ...

Championship reigns with undisputed/lineal/The Ring championships

The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after July 2, 1921, although it only includes title reigns during which the champion captured undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present), lineal championship (August 29, 1885 – July 2, 1921) or The Ring championship.

More information Name, Professional debut ...
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Statistics by country

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Perspective

The list It includes only major titles, without The Ring and lineal championships (after July 2, 1921).

  • Note: Secondary championships are not included.

Title fight wins & beaten opponents

All championship reigns

More information Country, No. of champions ...

All championship reigns of undisputed champions/lineal champions/The Ring champions

The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after July 2, 1921, although it only includes heavyweight champions that captured undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present), lineal championship (August 29, 1885 – July 2, 1921) or The Ring championship.

Championship reigns of undisputed/lineal/The Ring champions with undisputed/lineal/The Ring/unified championships, victories over champions

The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after July 2, 1921, although it only includes heavyweight champions that captured undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present), lineal championship (August 29, 1885 – July 2, 1921) or The Ring championship.

The list only includes title reigns during which the champion:

  • has won undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present), The Ring championship, lineal championship (August 29, 1885 – July 2, 1921)
  • held at least two major world heavyweight titles[35][36][37] simultaneously
  • defeated a fighter that either had to drop his own world title prior to the fight due to organization's championship policy or would become world heavyweight champion while the winner's reign was still active

Title streaks

Only major titles, without The Ring and lineal championships (after July 2, 1921), are included.

All championship reigns

For the purpose of this list, successful title defenses that ended in a draw are also included.

More information Country, Champion ...

Championship reigns with undisputed/lineal/The Ring championships

The list does not include The Ring and lineal championship fights after July 2, 1921, although it only includes title reigns during which the champion captured undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present), lineal championship (August 29, 1885 – July 2, 1921) or The Ring championship. For the purpose of this list, successful title defenses that ended in a draw are also included.

More information Country, Champion ...
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See also

Notes

  1. 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

References

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