Heavyweight

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

Boxing[]

Professional[]

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.

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 2021, Wladimir Klitschko holds record of most boxers beaten for the world heavyweight title, with 23.[6][7][8] Klitschko holds the record for the longest cumulative heavyweight title reign of all time, with 4,382 days as world heavyweight champion.[6][7] Joe Louis has won the most world heavyweight title bouts, with 27.[7] 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.[9] Michael Moorer, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Vitali Klitschko and Ruslan Chagaev have held various versions of the title belts on three occasions. 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. Mike Tyson holds the record for being the youngest heavyweight to ever achieve championship status, becoming champion at the age of 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 Ukraine Oleksandr Usyk 19–0 0
WBC February 22, 2020 United Kingdom Tyson Fury 31–0–1 1
IBF September 25, 2021 Ukraine Oleksandr Usyk 19–0 0
WBO September 25, 2021 Ukraine Oleksandr Usyk 19–0 0

Current world rankings[]

The Ring[]

As of March 11, 2022.[10]

Keys:

 C  Current The Ring world champion
Rank Name Record (W–L–D) Title(s)
C United Kingdom Tyson Fury 31–0–1 (22 KO) WBC
1 Ukraine Oleksandr Usyk 19–0 (13 KO) IBF, WBA, WBO
2 United Kingdom Anthony Joshua 24–2 (22 KO)
3 United States Deontay Wilder 42–2–1 (41 KO)
4 United Kingdom Dillian Whyte 28–2 (19 KO)
5 New Zealand Joseph Parker 30–2 (21 KO)
6 United StatesMexico Andy Ruiz Jr. 34–2 (22 KO)
7 Cuba Luis Ortiz 33–2–0–2 (28 KO)
8 United Kingdom Joe Joyce 13–0 (12 KO)
9 Croatia Filip Hrgovic 14–0 (12 KO)
10 Cuba Frank Sanchez 20–0–0–1 (13 KO)
BoxRec[]

As of March 11, 2022.[11]

Rank Name Record (W–L–D) Points Title(s)
1 United Kingdom Tyson Fury 31–0–1 (22 KO) 457.0 WBC
2 Ukraine Oleksandr Usyk 19–0 (13 KO) 441.4 IBF, WBA, WBO
3 United Kingdom Anthony Joshua 24–2 (22 KO) 312.4
4 United States Deontay Wilder 42–2–1 (41 KO) 183.8
5 United Kingdom Dillian Whyte 28–2 (19 KO) 179.6
6 New Zealand Joseph Parker 30–2 (21 KO) 98.08
7 United States Michael Hunter 20–1–2 (14 KO) 90.18
8 United StatesMexico Andy Ruiz Jr. 34–2 (22 KO) 76.57
9 United Kingdom Derek Chisora 32–12 (23 KO) 71.27
10 Bulgaria Kubrat Pulev 28–2 (14 KO) 65.50
11 Russia Murat Gassiev 28–1 (21 KO) 58.58

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[12]
Note 3: The names in italics are champions that did not win The Ring championship (1922–1989, 2002–present)/lineal championship (1885–1921)/undisputed championship (1922–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. Ukraine Wladimir Klitschko 12 years, 0 months, 0 days 4 382 2 WBA, IBF, WBO 25 23 [13]
2. United States Joe Louis 11 years, 8 months, 8 days 4 270 1 NYSAC, NBA 27 22 [14][15]
3. United States Muhammad Ali 9 years, 5 months, 5 days 3 443 3 NYSAC, WBA, WBC 22 21 [16]
4. United KingdomCanada Lennox Lewis 8 years, 5 months, 13 days 3 086 3 WBA, WBC, IBF 15 15 [17]
5. Ukraine Vitali Klitschko 7 years, 5 months, 28 days 2 735 3 WBC, WBO 15 15 [18]
6. United States Larry Holmes 7 years, 3 months, 12 days 2 661 1 WBC, IBF 20 20 [19]
7. United States Jack Dempsey 7 years, 2 months, 19 days 2 638 1 NYSAC, NBA 6 6 [20]
8. United States John L. Sullivan 7 years, 0 months, 10 days 2 566 1 lineal 1 1 [21]
9. United States Jack Johnson 6 years, 3 months, 11 days 2 292 1 lineal 6 6 [22]
10. United States Evander Holyfield 6 years, 1 month, 1 day 2 223 4 WBA, WBC, IBF 10 9 [23]
11. United States James J. Jeffries 5 years, 11 months, 4 days 2 156 1 lineal 8 6 [24]
12. United States Deontay Wilder 5 years, 1 months, 5 days 1 859 1 WBC 10 8 [25]
13. United States Joe Frazier 4 years, 10 months, 18 days 1 785 1 NYSAC, WBA, WBC 10 10 [26]
14. United States Floyd Patterson 4 years, 10 months, 0 days 1 765 2 NYSAC, NBA 8 7 [27]
15. United States James J. Corbett 4 years, 6 months, 10 days 1 652 1 lineal 2 2 [28]
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 (1922–1989, 2002–)/lineal championship (1885–1921)/undisputed championship (1922–) during the reign
Pos. Name Title Reign Title recognition Successful defenses Beaten opponents[29] Fights
1. United States Joe Louis 11 years, 8 months, 8 days lineal 26 21 [14][15]
2. Ukraine Wladimir Klitschko 9 years, 7 months and 6 days IBF (+WBA, WBO, The Ring/Lineal) 18 17 [13]
3. United States Larry Holmes 7 years, 3 months, 12 days WBC-to-IBF (+The Ring/Lineal) 19 19 [19]
4. United States Jack Dempsey 7 years, 2 months, 19 days lineal 5 5 [20]
5. United States John L. Sullivan 7 years, 0 months, 9 days lineal 0 0 [21]
6. United States Jack Johnson 6 years, 3 months, 10 days lineal 5 5 [22]
7. United States Muhammad Ali 5 years, 11 months, 9 days The Ring/Lineal, (+WBA, WBC stripped) 9 9 [16]
8. United States James J. Jeffries 5 years, 11 months, 4 days lineal 7 6 [24]
9. Ukraine Vitali Klitschko 5 years, 2 months, 4 days WBC 9 9 [18]
10. United States Deontay Wilder 5 years, 1 month 5 days WBC 10 9 [25]
11. United States Joe Frazier 4 years, 10 months, 18 days NYSAC (+WBA, WBC) 9 9 [26]
12. United States James J. Corbett 4 years, 6 months, 10 days lineal 1 1 [28]
13. United States Jess Willard 4 years, 2 months, 29 days lineal 1 1 [30]
14. United KingdomCanada Lennox Lewis 4 years, 2 months, 15 days WBC (+IBF, WBA stripped, The Ring/Lineal) 9 8 [17]
15. United States Rocky Marciano 3 years, 11 months, 29 days lineal 6 5 [31]

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.[32]

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. In this context, "big beast" has a similar meaning. 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 2013-07-14. Retrieved 2007-08-11. Heavyweight 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 200 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. ^ a b Business Insider Singapore. "Wladimir Klitschko is plotting a spectacular boxing comeback, and he wants to break an old heavyweight record". businessinsider.sg.
  7. ^ a b c "Who knew? Some sports facts that may surprise you". Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  8. ^ "Klitschko believes Hrgović will become world boxing champ". croatiaweek.com. 6 April 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  9. ^ Longest reigning boxing world champion
  10. ^ "The Ring ratings: heavyweight". Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  11. ^ "BoxRec ratings: heavyweight, active". Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  12. ^ James B. Roberts, Alexander G. Skutt: The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall of Fame Official Record Book, p. 331–32. The record of Ricardo Lopez indicates his opponent Alex Sánchez as WBO "World Champion" on August 23, 1997, meanwhile Michael Carbajal's opponent Josue Camacho (fought on July 15, 1994) didn't receive the same recognition, thus suggesting that WBO title hadn't been viewed by IBHOF as a major title prior to (at least) August 1997, when Herbie Hide (won the title on June 28, 1997) was WBO heavyweight champion
  13. ^ a b "Professional boxing record: Wladimir Klitschko". Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  14. ^ a b "Professional boxing record: Joe Louis". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  15. ^ a b "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
  16. ^ a b "Professional boxing record: Muhammad Ali". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  17. ^ a b "Professional boxing record: Lennox Lewis". Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  18. ^ a b "Professional boxing record: Vitali Klitschko". Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  19. ^ a b "Professional boxing record: Larry Holmes". Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  20. ^ a b "Professional boxing record: Jack Dempsey". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  21. ^ a b "Professional boxing record: John L. Sullivan". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  22. ^ a b "Professional boxing record: Jack Johnson". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  23. ^ "Professional boxing record: Evander Holyfield". Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  24. ^ a b "Professional boxing record: James J. Jeffries". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  25. ^ a b "Professional boxing record: Deontay Wilder". Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  26. ^ a b "Professional boxing record: Joe Frazier". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  27. ^ "Professional boxing record: Floyd Patterson". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  28. ^ a b "Professional boxing record: James J. Corbett". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  29. ^ For the purpose of the list, draws are also included
  30. ^ "Professional boxing record: Jess Willard". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  31. ^ "Professional boxing record: Rocky Marciano". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  32. ^ "Heavyweight".
  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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