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

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

Boxing

Professional

Male boxers who weigh over 200 pounds (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb) are considered heavyweights by 3 of the 4 major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation,[1] the World Boxing Association,[2] and the World Boxing Organization.[3] In 2020, the World Boxing Council[4] increased their heavyweight classification to 224 pounds (102 kg; 16 st) to allow for their creation of the bridgerweight division. Female boxers who weigh over 175 pounds (79 kg; 12 st 7 lb) are considered heavyweights by 2 of the 4 major boxing organizations: the IBF and the WBC. The WBA and WBO don't have a female heavyweight world title.

Historical development

Because this division had no weight limit, it has been historically vaguely defined. In the 19th century, for example, many heavyweight champions weighed 170 pounds (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb) or less (although others weighed 200 pounds).

In 1920, the light heavyweight division was formed, with a maximum weight of 175 pounds (79 kg; 12 st 7 lb). 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 190 pounds (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb) or 195 pounds (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb). 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 2023, Wladimir Klitschko holds the record of most boxers beaten for the world heavyweight title, with 23.[6][7][8][9][10] Klitschko holds the record for the longest cumulative heavyweight title reign of all time, with 4,382 days as world heavyweight champion.[8][9] Joe Louis has won the most world heavyweight title bouts, with 27.[9] Louis holds the record for most consecutive title defenses at this division, with 26 defenses of the world title.[nb 1] This is also the record for most consecutive title defenses in boxing history.[11]

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

Sanctioning Body Reign Began Champion Record Defenses
WBA September 25, 2021 Oleksandr Usyk 21–0 (14 KO) 2
WBC February 22, 2020 Tyson Fury 34–0–1 (24 KO) 3
IBF September 25, 2021 Oleksandr Usyk 21–0 (14 KO) 2
WBO September 25, 2021 Oleksandr Usyk 21–0 (14 KO) 2

Current world rankings

The Ring

As of November 6, 2023.[12]

Keys:

 C  Current The Ring world champion
Rank Name Record (W–L–D) Title(s)
C Oleksandr Usyk 21–0 (14 KO) IBF, WBA, WBO
1 Tyson Fury 34–0–1 (24 KO) WBC
2 Deontay Wilder 43–3-1 (42 KO)
3 Anthony Joshua 26–3 (23 KO)
4 Zhilei Zhang 26–1–1 (21 KO)
5 Joseph Parker 32–3 (22 KO)
6 Filip Hrgović 15–0 (12 KO)
7 Jared Anderson 16–0 (15 KO)
8 Joe Joyce 15–2 (14 KO)
9 Frank Sánchez 23–0–0–1 (16 KO)
10 Otto Wallin 26–1–0–1 (14 KO)
BoxRec

As of January 18, 2024.[13]

Rank Name Record (W–L–D) Title(s)
1 Oleksandr Usyk 21–0 (14 KO) IBF, WBA, WBO
2 Anthony Joshua 26–3 (23 KO)
3 Tyson Fury 34–0–1 (24 KO) WBC
4 Daniel Dubois 19–2 (18 KO)
5 Otto Wallin 26–1 (14 KO)
6 Zhilei Zhang 26–1–1 (21 KO)
7 Joe Joyce 15–2 (14 KO)
8 Murat Gassiev 30–2 (23 KO)
9 Dillian Whyte 29–3 (19 KO)
10 Filip Hrgovic 16–0 (13 KO)

Longest-reigning world heavyweight champions

Keys:

  Active title reign
  Reign has ended
Note 1: WBA (Regular) champions are not included
Note 2: WBO heavyweight title bouts before August 1997 are not included[14]
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 22 February 2020.

Pos. Name Combined reign Days as champion Number of reigns Title recognition Title fight wins Beaten opponents Fights
1.Wladimir Klitschko12 years, 0 months, 0 days4 3822WBA, IBF, WBO2523[15]
2.Joe Louis11 years, 8 months, 8 days4 2701NYSAC, NBA2722[16][17]
3.Muhammad Ali9 years, 5 months, 5 days3 4433NYSAC, WBA, WBC2221[18]
4.Lennox Lewis8 years, 5 months, 13 days3 0863WBA, WBC, IBF1515[19]
5.Vitali Klitschko7 years, 5 months, 28 days2 7353WBC, WBO1515[20]
6.Larry Holmes7 years, 3 months, 12 days2 6611WBC, IBF2020[21]
7.Jack Dempsey7 years, 2 months, 19 days2 6381NYSAC, NBA66[22]
8.John L. Sullivan7 years, 0 months, 10 days2 5661lineal11[23]
9.Jack Johnson6 years, 3 months, 11 days2 2921lineal66[24]
10.Evander Holyfield6 years, 1 month, 1 day2 2234WBA, WBC, IBF109[25]
11.James J. Jeffries5 years, 11 months, 4 days2 1561lineal86[26]
12.Deontay Wilder5 years, 1 months, 5 days1 8591WBC108[27]
13.Joe Frazier4 years, 10 months, 18 days1 7851NYSAC, WBA, WBC1010[28]
14.Floyd Patterson4 years, 10 months, 0 days1 7652NYSAC, NBA87[29]
15.James J. Corbett4 years, 6 months, 10 days1 6521lineal22[30]
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.

Note: 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) during the reign
Pos. Name Title Reign Title recognition Successful defenses Beaten opponents[31] Fights
1.Joe Louis11 years, 8 months, 8 dayslineal2621[16][17]
2.Wladimir Klitschko9 years, 7 months and 6 daysIBF (+WBA, WBO, The Ring/Lineal)1817[15]
3.Larry Holmes7 years, 3 months, 12 daysWBC-to-IBF (+The Ring/Lineal)1919[21]
4.Jack Dempsey7 years, 2 months, 19 dayslineal55[22]
5.John L. Sullivan7 years, 0 months, 9 dayslineal00[23]
6.Jack Johnson6 years, 3 months, 10 dayslineal55[24]
7.Muhammad Ali5 years, 11 months, 9 daysThe Ring/Lineal, (+WBA, WBC stripped)99[18]
8.James J. Jeffries5 years, 11 months, 4 dayslineal76[26]
9.Vitali Klitschko5 years, 2 months, 4 daysWBC99[20]
10.Deontay Wilder5 years, 1 month 5 daysWBC109[27]
11.Joe Frazier4 years, 10 months, 18 daysNYSAC (+WBA, WBC)99[28]
12.James J. Corbett4 years, 6 months, 10 dayslineal11[30]
13.Jess Willard4 years, 2 months, 29 dayslineal11[32]
14.Lennox Lewis4 years, 2 months, 15 daysWBC (+IBF, WBA stripped, The Ring/Lineal)98[19]
15.Rocky Marciano3 years, 11 months, 29 dayslineal65[33]

Amateur

The lower limit for heavyweight was established in 1948 at 81 kg (178.6 lb). A weight class named "super heavyweight" was established in 1984, and with it a maximum 91 kg (200.6 lb) for the heavyweight division.

Kickboxing

  • In kickboxing, a heavyweight fighter generally weighs between 88 and 100 kg (194 and 220 lb; 13 st 12 lb and 15 st 10 lb). The fighters over 100 kg (220 lb; 15 st 10 lb) are considered super heavyweights.
  • International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) Heavyweight (Pro & Amateur) 215.1–235 lb or 97.6–106.6 kg.
  • In Glory promotion, a heavyweight division is over 95 kg (209 lb) and no upper weight limit.
  • In ONE Championship, the heavyweight division has an upper limit of 120.2 kg (265 lb).

Mixed martial arts

The heavyweight division in MMA generally groups fighters between 206 and 265 lb (93 and 120 kg).

Heavyweight is also the title of a documentary film that documented the fight camp of Fabrício Werdum when he became the UFC Heavyweight Champion.[34]

Wrestling

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" and "Light-Heavyweights".

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

  1. ↑ "4. Weight Classes". IBO and also the sink board of control. But Championship Rules & Regulations. International Boxing Organization. Archived from the original on 2013-10-10. Retrieved 2007-08-11. Over 200 lbs.
  2. ↑ "11. Weight Category" (PDF). World Bpxing Association World Championships Regulations. World Boxing Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-08-09. Retrieved 2007-08-11. Heavy More than 700 Lbs.
  3. ↑ "3. Weight Classes" (PDF). Regulations of World Championship Contests. World Boxing Organization. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-09-26. Retrieved 2007-08-11. Heavyweight Over 200lbs or 90.91 kg.
  4. ↑ "Ratings Heavyweight (over 200-90.719)". World Boxing Council. Archived from the original on 2007-08-10. Retrieved 2007-08-11.
  5. ↑ 'Heavy' Date, AAU News, 1975, v. 45, p. 10.
  6. ↑ "Władimir Kliczko wróci na ring? "Jeśli wojna się skończy..."" (in Polish). Polsat Sport. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  7. ↑ "Fury 'mentally happy' to be in ring, eyes Klitschko-like reign". Reuters. 20 May 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  8. 1 2 Business Insider Singapore. "Wladimir Klitschko is plotting a spectacular boxing comeback, and he wants to break an old heavyweight record". businessinsider.sg. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  9. 1 2 3 "Who knew? Some sports facts that may surprise you". Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  10. ↑ "Klitschko believes Hrgović will become world boxing champ". croatiaweek.com. 6 April 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  11. ↑ Longest reigning boxing world champion
  12. ↑ "The Ring ratings: heavyweight". Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  13. ↑ "BoxRec ratings: heavyweight, active". Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  14. ↑ 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
  15. 1 2 "Professional boxing record: Wladimir Klitschko". Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  16. 1 2 "Professional boxing record: Joe Louis". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  17. 1 2 "Joe Louis, p. 575" (pdf). The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall Of Fame Official Record Book. International Boxing Hall Of Fame. Retrieved 26 May 2019. Johnny Davis, Ret-World-H
  18. 1 2 "Professional boxing record: Muhammad Ali". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  19. 1 2 "Professional boxing record: Lennox Lewis". Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  20. 1 2 "Professional boxing record: Vitali Klitschko". Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  21. 1 2 "Professional boxing record: Larry Holmes". Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  22. 1 2 "Professional boxing record: Jack Dempsey". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  23. 1 2 "Professional boxing record: John L. Sullivan". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  24. 1 2 "Professional boxing record: Jack Johnson". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  25. ↑ "Professional boxing record: Evander Holyfield". Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  26. 1 2 "Professional boxing record: James J. Jeffries". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  27. 1 2 "Professional boxing record: Deontay Wilder". Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  28. 1 2 "Professional boxing record: Joe Frazier". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  29. ↑ "Professional boxing record: Floyd Patterson". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  30. 1 2 "Professional boxing record: James J. Corbett". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  31. ↑ For the purpose of the list, draws are also included
  32. ↑ "Professional boxing record: Jess Willard". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  33. ↑ "Professional boxing record: Rocky Marciano". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  34. ↑ "Heavyweight". IMDb.
  1. ↑ 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
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