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 2 of the 4 major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation[1] and the World Boxing Organization.[2] In 2020, the World Boxing Council[3] increased their heavyweight classification to 224 pounds (102 kg; 16 st) to allow for their creation of the bridgerweight division. The World Boxing Association (WBA) did the same in 2023.[4] Female boxers who weigh over 175 pounds (79 kg; 12 st 7 lb) are considered heavyweights by all four of the boxing federations.
Historical development
Because this division has no upper weight limit, it has historically been 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 2025, Wladimir Klitschko holds records of beating the most boxers for the world heavyweight title, with 23, and the longest cumulative heavyweight title reign of all time, with 4,382 days as world heavyweight champion.[nb 1] Joe Louis has won the most world heavyweight title bouts, with 27,[6] and had the most consecutive title defenses, with 26.[nb 2] This is also the record for most consecutive title defenses in boxing history.[7]
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 | 25–0 (16 KO) | 6 |
| WBC | May 18, 2024 | Oleksandr Usyk | 25–0 (16 KO) | 3 |
| IBF | July 19, 2025 | Oleksandr Usyk | 25–0 (16 KO) | 0 |
| WBO | May 9, 2026 | Daniel Dubois | 23–3 (22 KO) | 0 |
Current world rankings
The Ring
As of May 31, 2026.[8]
Keys:
- Current The Ring world champion
| Rank | Name | Record (W–L–D) | Title(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | Oleksandr Usyk | 25–0 (16 KO) | WBA, WBC, IBF |
| 1 | Daniel Dubois | 23–3 (22 KO) | WBO |
| 2 | Agit Kabayel | 27–0 (19 KO) | WBC (Interim) |
| 3 | Tyson Fury | 35–2–1 (24 KO) | |
| 4 | Fabio Wardley | 20–1–1 (19 KO) | |
| 5 | Filip Hrgović | 20–1 (15 KO) | |
| 6 | Moses Itauma | 14–0 (12 KO) | |
| 7 | Frank Sanchez | 26–1 (19 KO) | |
| 8 | Efe Ajagba | 21–1–1 (14 KO) | |
| 9 | Murat Gassiev | 33–2 (1) (26 KO) | WBA (Regular) |
| 10 | Justis Huni | 13–1 (7 KO) |
BoxRec
As of 31 May 2026.[9]
| Rank | Name | Record (W–L–D) | Title(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oleksandr Usyk | 25–0 (16 KO) | WBA, WBC, IBF |
| 2 | Daniel Dubois | 23–3 (22 KO) | WBO |
| 3 | Agit Kabayel | 27–0 (19 KO) | WBC (Interim) |
| 4 | Tyson Fury | 35–2–1 (24 KO) | |
| 5 | Murat Gassiev | 33–2 (1) (26 KO) | WBA (Regular) |
| 6 | Lawrence Okolie | 23–1 (17 KO) | |
| 7 | Anthony Joshua | 29–4 (26 KO) | |
| 8 | Fabio Wardley | 20–1–1 (19 KO) | |
| 9 | Filip Hrgović | 20–1 (15 KO) | |
| 10 | Richard Riakporhe | 20–1 (16 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[10]
- 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 09 September 2025.
| Pos. | Name | Combined reign | Days as champion | Number of reigns | Title recognition | Cumulative title wins | Opponents beaten |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Wladimir Klitschko | 12 years, 0 months, 0 days | 4 382 | 2 | WBA, IBF, WBO | 25 | 23 |
| 2. | Joe Louis | 11 years, 8 months, 8 days | 4 270 | 1 | NYSAC, NBA | 27 | 22 |
| 3. | Muhammad Ali | 9 years, 5 months, 5 days | 3 443 | 3 | NYSAC, WBA, WBC | 22 | 21 |
| 4. | Lennox Lewis | 8 years, 5 months, 13 days | 3 086 | 3 | WBA, WBC, IBF | 15 | 15 |
| 5. | Vitali Klitschko | 7 years, 5 months, 28 days | 2 735 | 3 | WBC, WBO | 15 | 15 |
| 6. | Larry Holmes | 7 years, 3 months, 12 days | 2 661 | 1 | WBC, IBF | 20 | 20 |
| 7. | Jack Dempsey | 7 years, 2 months, 19 days | 2 638 | 1 | NYSAC, NBA | 6 | 6 |
| 8. | John L. Sullivan | 7 years, 0 months, 10 days | 2 566 | 1 | Universal | 5 | 5 |
| 9. | Jack Johnson | 6 years, 3 months, 11 days | 2 292 | 1 | Universal | 6 | 6 |
| 10. | Evander Holyfield | 6 years, 1 month, 1 day | 2 223 | 4 | WBA, WBC, IBF | 11 | 10 |
| 11. | James J. Jeffries | 5 years, 11 months, 4 days | 2 156 | 1 | Universal | 8 | 6 |
| 12. | Tyson Fury | 5 years, 1 month, 12 days | 1 866 | 2 | WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO | 5 | 4 |
| 13. | Deontay Wilder | 5 years, 1 month, 5 days | 1 859 | 1 | WBC | 10 | 8 |
| 14. | Anthony Joshua | 4 years, 11 months, 17 days | 1 806 | 2 | WBA, IBF, WBO | 9 | 9 |
| 15. | Joe Frazier | 4 years, 10 months, 18 days | 1 785 | 1 | NYSAC, WBA, WBC | 10 | 10 |
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.
As of 2 October 2025.
| Pos. | Name | Title Reign | Title recognition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Joe Louis | 11 years, 8 months, 8 days | Lineal |
| 2. | Wladimir Klitschko | 9 years, 7 months and 6 days | IBF (+WBA, WBO, The Ring/Lineal) |
| 3. | Larry Holmes | 7 years, 3 months, 12 days | WBC-to-IBF (+The Ring/Lineal) |
| 4. | Jack Dempsey | 7 years, 2 months, 19 days | Lineal |
| 5. | John L. Sullivan | 7 years, 0 months, 9 days | Lineal |
| 6. | Jack Johnson | 6 years, 3 months, 10 days | Lineal |
| 7. | Muhammad Ali | 5 years, 11 months, 9 days | The Ring/Lineal, (+WBA, WBC stripped) |
| 8. | James J. Jeffries | 5 years, 11 months, 4 days | Lineal |
| 9. | Vitali Klitschko | 5 years, 2 months, 4 days | WBC |
| 10. | Deontay Wilder | 5 years, 1 month 5 days | WBC |
| 11. | Joe Frazier | 4 years, 10 months, 18 days | NYSAC (+WBA, WBC) |
| 12. | Oleksandr Usyk | WBO, IBF (+WBA, WBC, The Ring /Lineal) [11] | |
| 13. | James J. Corbett | 4 years, 6 months, 10 days | Lineal |
| 14. | Jess Willard | 4 years, 2 months, 29 days | Lineal |
| 15. | Tyson Fury | 4 years, 2 months, 26 days | WBC (+The Ring/Lineal) |
| 16. | Lennox Lewis | 4 years, 2 months, 15 days | WBC (+IBF, WBA stripped, The Ring/Lineal) |
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 pounds or 97.6–106.6 kilograms.
- 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.[12]
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", "Cruiserweights" and "Light-Heavyweights". The lucha libre promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre notably still has weight division for its champions. While most other promotions do not.
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
- ^ "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.
- ^ "3. Weight Classes". Regulations of World Championship Contests. World Boxing Organization. Archived 2007-09-26 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2007-08-11.
Heavyweight Over 200lbs or 90.91 kg.
- ^ "Ratings Heavyweight (over 200-90.719)". World Boxing Council. Archived 2007-08-10 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2007-08-11.
- ^ "WBA joins WBC in adding 18th weight class with super cruiserweight". ESPN. 2023-12-01.
- ^ 'Heavy' Date, AAU News, 1975, v. 45, p. 10.
- ^ "Володимиру Кличку – 44: найкращі нокаути боксера" (in Ukrainian). 25 March 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
- ^ Longest reigning boxing world champion
- ^ "The Ring ratings: heavyweight". Retrieved 21 August 2025.
- ^ "BoxRec ratings: heavyweight, active". Retrieved 30 December 2025.
- ^ 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
- ^ "Professional boxing record: Oleksandr Usyk". Retrieved 29 September 2025.
- ^ "Heavyweight". IMDb
- ^ Attributed to multiple sources:[13][14][6][15][16][17]
- ^ 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
External links
References
- ^ "Most days as a heavyweight boxing champion". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ "Wladimir Klitschko: We fight, we're killed, we rebuild, we celebrate, we live". The Times. Archived 2 August 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
- ^ "Украина сделала свой выбор! Назван лучший боксер в истории страны" (in Russian). Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
- ^ "Władimir Kliczko wróci na ring? "Jeśli wojna się skończy..."" (in Polish). Polsat Sport. 25 April 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- ^ "Fury 'mentally happy' to be in ring, eyes Klitschko-like reign". Reuters. 20 May 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2021.