Pro-Boxing Heavyweight Rankings and Champion

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A weight class in boxing is a measurement of a boxer's weight range. In professional boxing, the top division is known as heavyweight, and in amateur boxing, super heavyweight. Each boxer's weight cannot exceed the upper limit of the weight class for which the fight is typically scheduled.

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Professional boxers are permitted to fight above their weight class, but amateur boxers are not permitted to weigh less than the lower limit. A catchweight is a weight restriction that differs from the norm.

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Boxing Heavyweight Overview

Three of the four major professional boxing organizations - the International Boxing Federation (IBF), the World Boxing Association (WBA), and the World Boxing Organization (WBO) - define male boxers who weigh more than 200 pounds (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb) as heavyweights.

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To make room for the introduction of the bridgerweight division, the World Boxing Council (WBC) raised the heavyweight classification in 2020 to 224 pounds (102 kg; 16 st).

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Two of the four major boxing federations - the IBF and the WBC - define heavyweight women's boxers as those who weigh more than 175 pounds (79 kg; 12 st 7 lb). There is no female heavyweight world championship held by the WBA or WBO.

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History of the Heavyweight Class in Pro Boxing

The heavyweight division was historically ill-defined because there was no weight restriction. For instance, many heavyweight champions in the 19th century weighed no more than 170 pounds (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb), although others weighed 200 pounds.

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Wladimir Klitschko has defeated 23 opponents to win the heavyweight world championship. With 4,382 days as the heavyweight champion, Klitschko holds the record for the longest cumulative heavyweight title reign ever.

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With 27 victories, Joe Louis has the most world heavyweight title victories. With 26 world title defenses, Louis holds the record for the most consecutive title defenses in this division.

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Mike Tyson holds the record for being the youngest heavyweight champion at the age of 20, while George Foreman holds the record for being the oldest heavyweight champion at 45.

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Additionally, Tyson made history by becoming the first heavyweight to simultaneously hold the WBA, WBC, IBF, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles.

List of current Pro Boxing Heavyweight Champions

Latest Results from Heavyweight Pro Boxing

• Oleksandr Usyk beat Tyson Fury in their rematch on December 21, 2024, via a unanimous decision.

Pro Boxing Heavyweight Rankings 2025

Pro Boxing Weight Divisions

The weight divisions work to ensure fair competition by pairing opponents who are similar in size and weight. The main connection between the heavyweight division and the other weight classes in boxing is a fighter's capacity to change weight and potentially compete in various divisions.

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In most cases, fighters begin their professional careers in lighter-weight divisions and gradually increase their weight as they gain expertise and mature physically. An athlete who begins boxing at featherweight (126 pounds), for instance, might advance to super featherweight (130 pounds), lightweight(135 pounds), and so on.

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