List of heavyweight boxing champions
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[[Image:BoxChamps.png|thumb|upright|350px|Heavyweight World Boxing Champions since 1920]]
This is a chronological '''list of world heavyweight boxing champions''' since the introduction of the [[Marquess of Queensberry rules]]:
==Championship recognition==
===1885-1910===
Champions were recognized by public acclamation. A champion in that era was a fighter who had a notable win over another fighter and kept winning afterward. Retirements or disputed results could lead to a championship being split among several men for periods of time. With only minor exceptions, the heavyweight division remained free from dual title-holders until the 1960s.
===1910-1961===
====Championship awarding organizations====
* The International Boxing Union (IBU), formed in [[Paris]] in 1910. Changed name to [[European Boxing Union]] in 1946. It organised world title fights from 1913 to 1963 after which it was incorporated into the [[World Boxing Council]] (WBC).
* The [[New York State Athletic Commission]] (NYSAC), formed in 1920. It organised world title bouts until the early 1970s when it became a member of [[World Boxing Council]] (WBC).
* The National Boxing Association (NBA) formed in the [[USA]] in 1921.
* Other bodies including the [[National Sporting Club]] in Great Britain and the [[California State Boxing Commission]] awarded world titles but this did not affect the heavyweight division.
===1961-present===
====Championship awarding organizations====
* The [[World Boxing Association]] (WBA), founded in 1921 as the National Boxing Association (NBA); it changed its name in 1961 and allowed membership from outside the [[USA]].
* The [[World Boxing Council]] (WBC), founded in 1963.
* The [[International Boxing Federation]] (IBF), founded in 1983.
* The [[World Boxing Organization]] (WBO), founded in 1988.
<br>
{| border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"
|- style="background:#efefef;"
!Reign Began
!Reign Ended
!Champion
!Recognition
!Nationality
|-
|[[August 29]], [[1885]]
|[[September 7]], [[1892]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[John L. Sullivan]]
|Universal
|American
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''Sullivan defeated [[Paddy Ryan]] in 1882 for the American bare knuckle championship. In the absence of any challengers from outside America he gradually became acknowledged as world bare knuckle champion. On August 29, 1885, he outpointed [[Dominic McCaffrey]] in Chester Park, [[Cincinnati]], in a bout described as being "to decide the Marquess of Queensberry glove contest for the championship of the world" ''
|-
|[[September 7]], [[1892]]
|[[March 17]], [[1897]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[James J. Corbett]]
|Universal
|American
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''James J. Corbett announced his retirement from boxing in 1895 and nominated his protege [[Steve O'Donnell (boxer)|Steve O'Donnell]] as his successor. Tradition demanded that O'Donnell win the world title in the ring so he was matched against the erratic Irish boxer [[Peter Maher (boxer)|Peter Maher]]. The bout took place at the Empire Athletic club, [[Maspeth]], [[New York]] on [[11 November]], [[1895]], Maher surprisingly defeated O'Donnell via first round knockout. The general public had little acceptance of the new champion and even Maher himself expressed a wish to fight Corbett for the "real" title. Maher defended his "world title" against the British-born [[Bob Fitzsimmons]] in [[Coahuila de Zaragoza]], [[Mexico]] on [[February 21]], [[1896]], and was himself the victim of a first round knockout. Fitzsimmons then fought another Irish fighter, [[Tom Sharkey]] of [[Dundalk]] on [[December 2]], [[1896]], in [[San Francisco]], the bout being billed for the heavyweight title. Sharkey was awarded victory by disqualification in round 8 by the referee, [[Wyatt Earp]]. Corbett announced his return to the ring late in 1896 and the claims of Maher, Fitzsimmons (until 1897) and Sharkey to be champion are usually ignored.''
|-
|[[March 17]], [[1897]]
|[[June 9]], [[1899]]
|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Bob Fitzsimmons]]
|Universal
|British
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''Fitzsimmons became an American citizen in 1898''
|-
|[[June 9]], [[1899]]
|[[May 13]], [[1905]]<sup>[[#Footnotes|1]]</sup>
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[James J. Jeffries]]
|Universal
|American
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''Jeffries was the first modern champion to relinquish the title, announcing his retirement and declaring that the winner of a match between [[Marvin Hart]] and [[Jack Root]] would be the next legitimate champion. Jeffries would return to the ring to face [[Jack Johnson (boxer)|Jack Johnson]].''
|-
|[[July 3]], [[1905]]
|[[February 23]], [[1906]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Marvin Hart]]
|Universal
|American
|-
|[[February 23]], [[1906]]
|[[December 26]], [[1908]]
|{{flagicon|CAN|1868}} [[Tommy Burns (boxer)|Tommy Burns]]
|Universal
|Canadian
|-
|[[December 26]], [[1908]]
|[[April 5]], [[1915]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jack Johnson (boxer)|Jack Johnson]]
|Universal
|American
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''Jack Johnson's refusal to honor an agreement made by his manager to defend against the British champion led the [[National Sporting Club]] in [[London]], the most powerful body in boxing outside the [[USA]], to withdraw recognition of Johnson as champion. They matched Canadian [[Sam Langford]] and the British champion [[William Hague (boxer)|William "Iron" Hague]] for their version of the title. Langford beat Hague on a fourth round knockout in London on [[May 24]], [[1909]]. Langford returned home to America and never pressed his claim to the title.''
|-
|[[April 5]], [[1915]]
|[[July 4]], [[1919]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jess Willard]]
|Universal
|American
|-
|[[July 4]], [[1919]]
|[[September 23]], [[1926]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jack Dempsey]]
|Universal
|American
|-
|[[September 23]], [[1926]]
|[[July 31]], [[1928]]<sup>[[#Footnotes|2]]</sup>
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Gene Tunney]]
|Universal
|American
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''Tunney announced his retirement from professional boxing on [[July 31]], [[1928]], relinquishing the championship.''
|-
|[[June 12]], [[1930]]
|[[June 21]], [[1932]]
|{{flagicon|Weimar Republic}} [[Max Schmeling]]
|Universal
|German
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''Schmeling defeated Jack Sharkey to earn universal recognition as champion.''
|-
|[[June 21]], [[1932]]
|[[June 29]], [[1933]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jack Sharkey]]
|Universal
|American
|-
|[[June 29]], [[1933]]
|[[June 14]], [[1934]]
|{{flagicon|ITA|1861}} [[Primo Carnera]]
|Universal
|Italian
|-
|[[June 14]], [[1934]]
|[[June 13]], [[1935]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Max Baer (boxer)|Max Baer]]
|Universal
|American
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''In late 1934 the [[European Boxing Union|International Boxing Union]] ordered world champion Max Baer to defend his title against the reigning European champion, [[Pierre Charles]] of Belgium. When Baer instead opted to fight [[James J. Braddock]] they withdrew recognition of him as champion. The IBU matched Charles with the American heavyweight [[George Godfrey]] for their version of the title with the fight taking place in [[Brussels]], [[Belgium]] on [[2 October]], [[1935]]. Godfrey won a fifteen round points decision but did not press any claim to the championship and was inactive for the next two years. The IBU then recognized Baer's successor, [[James J. Braddock]], as champion.''
|-
|[[June 13]], [[1935]]
|[[June 22]], [[1937]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[James J. Braddock]]
|Universal
|American
|-
|[[June 22]], [[1937]]
|[[March 1]], [[1949]]<sup>[[#Footnotes|2]]</sup>
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Joe Louis]]
|Universal
|American
|-
|[[June 22]], [[1949]]
|[[September 27]], [[1950]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Ezzard Charles]]
|NBA
|American
|-
|[[June 6]], [[1950]]
|[[June 16]], [[1951]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Lee Savold]]
|EBU
|American
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''On the retirement of Joe Louis the [[European Boxing Union]] announced that a fight in May 1949 between [[Lee Savold]] of the [[USA]] and British champion [[Bruce Woodcock]] would determine their version of the world heavyweight title. However the fight was postponed for over a year due to injuries Woodcock had suffered in a car crash. When it eventually took place Savold defeated Woodcock in four rounds. Savold lost the recognition he had as "world" champion in Europe and the British Commonwealth when he lost to [[Joe Louis]] in a non-title fight in June 1951. The EBU immediately transferred their recognition to [[Ezzard Charles]]''
|-
|[[September 27]], [[1950]]
|[[July 18]], [[1951]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Ezzard Charles]]
|NBA/NYSAC then Universal
|American
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''Charles won the vacant [[World Boxing Association|National Boxing Association]] championship, but was not universally recognized as champion until defeating [[Joe Louis]], the former champion who had come out of retirement.''
|-
|[[July 18]], [[1951]]
|[[September 23]], [[1952]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jersey Joe Walcott]]
|Universal
|American
|-
|[[September 23]], [[1952]]
|[[April 27]], [[1956]]<sup>[[#Footnotes|2]]</sup>
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Rocky Marciano]]
|Universal
|American
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''Marciano announced his retirement from professional boxing, relinquishing the championship.''
|-
|[[November 30]], [[1956]]
|[[June 26]], [[1959]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Floyd Patterson]]
|Universal
|American
|-
|[[June 26]], [[1959]]
|[[June 20]], [[1960]]
|{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Ingemar Johansson]]
|Universal
|Swedish
|-
|[[June 20]], [[1960]]
|[[September 25]], [[1962]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Floyd Patterson]]
|Universal
|American
|-
|[[September 25]], [[1962]]
|[[February 25]], [[1964]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Sonny Liston]]
|Universal
|American
|-
|[[February 25]], [[1964]]
|[[June 19]], [[1964]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Muhammad Ali|Cassius Clay]] (Muhammad Ali)
|Universal
|American
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''The [[World Boxing Association|WBA]] withdrew its recognition of Clay (now known as Muhammad Ali) as champion for agreeing to an immediate rematch against Liston, a violation of the organization's rules at the time. The [[World Boxing Council|WBC]] and other organizations continued to recognize him. (See [[Ali versus Liston]].)''
|-
|[[June 19]], [[1964]]
|[[February 6]], [[1967]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Muhammad Ali|Cassius Clay]] (Muhammad Ali)
|WBC
|American
|-
|[[March 5]], [[1965]]
|[[February 6]], [[1967]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Ernie Terrell]]
|WBA
|American
|-
|[[February 6]], [[1967]]
|[[April 29]], [[1967]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Muhammad Ali]]
|Universal
|American
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''The WBA, the NYSAC and several other US state boxing commissions withdrew recognition of Ali as champion for his refusal to be inducted into the [[United States Army]] subsequent to being [[conscription|drafted]] in early 1967.''
|-
|-
|[[April 29]], [[1967]]
|March, 1969
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Muhammad Ali]]
|WBC
|American
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''The WBC eventually followed the lead of the WBA and the NYSAC and stripped Ali of their title in March 1969''
|-
|[[March 4]], [[1968]]
|[[February 16]], [[1970]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Joe Frazier]]
|NYSAC
|American
|-
|[[April 28]], [[1968]]
|[[February 16]], [[1970]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jimmy Ellis]]
|WBA
|American
|-
|[[February 16]], [[1970]]
|[[January 22]], [[1973]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Joe Frazier]]
|Universal
|American
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:'' Frazier and Ellis fought on [[February 16]], [[1970]], at [[Madison Square Garden]], [[New York City|New York]]. Frazier entered the ring as the holder of NYSAC version of the world title and Ellis held the WBA heavyweight title. The fight was also for the WBC title vacated by [[Muhammad Ali]]. Frazier defeated Ellis and was universally recognized as champion. He cemented his reputation upon defeating Muhammad Ali on [[March 8]], [[1971]]. (See [[Fight of the Century]].)''
|-
|[[January 22]], [[1973]]
|[[October 30]], [[1974]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[George Foreman]]
|Universal
|American
|-
|[[October 30]], [[1974]]
|[[February 15]], [[1978]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Muhammad Ali]]
|Universal
|American
|-
|[[February 15]], [[1978]]
|[[March 18]], [[1978]]<sup>[[#Footnotes|3]]</sup>
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Leon Spinks]]
|Universal
|American
|-
|[[March 18]], [[1978]]
|[[September 15]], [[1978]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Leon Spinks]]
|WBA
|American
|-
|[[March 18]], [[1978]]
|[[June 9]], [[1978]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Ken Norton]]
|WBC
|American
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''The WBC stripped Leon Spinks and awarded Ken Norton the title. Norton lost to Larry Holmes in his next defense. Since he never won a world title fight he is sometimes omitted from a list of heavyweight champions''
|-
|[[June 9]], [[1978]]
|[[December 11]], [[1983]]<sup>[[#Footnotes|1]]</sup>
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Larry Holmes]]
|WBC
|American
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''Holmes relinquished his WBC title to assume the championship of the newly formed [[International Boxing Federation]].''
|-
|[[September 15]], [[1978]]
|[[April 27]], [[1979]]<sup>[[#Footnotes|1]]</sup>
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Muhammad Ali]]
|WBA
|American
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''Believing his career over, Ali relinquished his WBA title in exchange for a payment from promoter [[Don King (boxing promoter)|Don King]], who was trying to stage a bout between then-WBC champ [[Larry Holmes]] and [[John Tate (boxer)|John Tate]] for the undisputed title. The bout never materialized, and Ali would return to the ring in 1980.''
|-
|[[October 20]], [[1979]]
|[[March 31]], [[1980]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[John Tate (boxer)|John Tate]]
|WBA
|American
|-
|[[March 31]], [[1980]]
|[[December 10]], [[1982]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Mike Weaver]]
|WBA
|American
|-
|[[December 10]], [[1982]]
|[[September 23]], [[1983]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Michael Dokes]]
|WBA
|American
|-
|[[September 23]], [[1983]]
|[[December 1]], [[1984]]
|{{flagicon|RSA|1928}} [[Gerrie Coetzee]]
|WBA
|South African
|-
|[[December 11]], [[1983]]
|[[September 21]], [[1985]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Larry Holmes]]
|IBF
|American
|-
|[[March 9]], [[1984]]
|[[August 31]], [[1984]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Tim Witherspoon]]
|WBC
|American
|-
|[[August 31]], [[1984]]
|[[March 22]], [[1986]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Pinklon Thomas]]
|WBC
|American
|-
|[[December 1]], [[1984]]
|[[April 29]], [[1985]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Greg Page (boxer)|Greg Page]]
|WBA
|American
|-
|[[April 29]], [[1985]]
|[[January 17]], [[1986]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Tony Tubbs]]
|WBA
|American
|-
|[[September 21]], [[1985]]
|[[February 19]], [[1987]]<sup>[[#Footnotes|3]]</sup>
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Michael Spinks]]
|IBF
|American
|-
|[[January 17]], [[1986]]
|[[December 12]], [[1986]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Tim Witherspoon]]
|WBA
|American
|-
|[[March 22]], [[1986]]
|[[November 22]], [[1986]]
|{{flagicon|CAN}} [[Trevor Berbick]]
|WBC
|Canadian
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''Jamaican born Berbick was a naturalized Canadian citizen and former Canadian heavyweight champion''
|-
|[[November 22]], [[1986]]
|[[March 7]], [[1987]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Mike Tyson]]
|WBC
|American
|-
|[[December 12]], [[1986]]
|[[March 7]], [[1987]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[James 'Bonecrusher' Smith]]
|WBA
|American
|-
|[[March 7]], [[1987]]
|[[August 1]], [[1987]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Mike Tyson]]
|WBA, WBC
|American
|-
|[[May 30]], [[1987]]
|[[August 1]], [[1987]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Tony Tucker]]
|IBF
|American
|-
|[[August 1]], [[1987]]
|[[August 13]], [[1989]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Mike Tyson]]
|IBF, WBA & WBC
|American
|-
|[[May 6]], [[1989]]
|[[August 13]], [[1989]]
|{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Francesco Damiani]]
|WBO
|Italian
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''Though Damiani defeated Johnny DuPlooy to become the WBO's first Heavyweight champion, Tyson's reign in the division during this period is virtually undisputed. Additionally, during this period Tyson also knocked out [[Michael Spinks]] who some regarded as the 'lineal champion.'''
|-
|[[August 13]], [[1989]]
|[[February 10]], [[1990]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Mike Tyson]]
|Universal
|American
|-
|[[February 10]], [[1990]]
|[[October 25]], [[1990]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[James Buster Douglas|James "Buster" Douglas]]
|IBF, WBA & WBC
|American
|-
|[[October 25]], [[1990]]
|[[November 13]], [[1992]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Evander Holyfield]]
|IBF, WBA & WBC
|American
|-
|[[January 11]], [[1991]]
|[[December 24]], [[1991]]<sup>[[#Footnotes|3]]</sup>
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Ray Mercer]]
|WBO
|American
|-
|[[May 15]], [[1992]]
|[[February 3]], [[1993]]<sup>[[#Footnotes|3]]</sup>
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Michael Moorer]]
|WBO
|American
|-
|[[November 13]], [[1992]]
|[[December 14]], [[1992]]<sup>[[#Footnotes|3]]</sup>
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Riddick Bowe]]
|IBF, WBA & WBC
|American
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''Bowe was stripped of his WBC championship for refusing to fight [[Lennox Lewis]].''
|-
|[[December 14]], [[1992]]
|[[November 6]], [[1993]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Riddick Bowe]]
|IBF & WBA
|American
|-
|[[December 14]], [[1992]]
|[[September 24]], [[1994]]
|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Lennox Lewis]]
|WBC
|British
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''Lewis defeated [[Razor Ruddock]] on [[October 31]], [[1992]], in a WBC 'eliminator' fight. When [[Riddick Bowe]]'s championship recognition was withdrawn by the organization, the WBC immediately awarded Lewis the title.''
|-
|[[June 7]], [[1993]]
|[[October 29]], [[1993]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Tommy Morrison]]
|WBO
|American
|-
|[[October 29]], [[1993]]
|[[March 19]], [[1994]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Michael Bentt]]
|WBO
|American
|-
|[[November 6]], [[1993]]
|[[April 22]], [[1994]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Evander Holyfield]]
|IBF & WBA
|American
|-
|[[March 19]], [[1994]]
|[[March 11]], [[1995]]
|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Herbie Hide]]
|WBO
|British
|-
|[[April 22]], [[1994]]
|[[November 5]], [[1994]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Michael Moorer]]
|IBF & WBA
|American
|-
|[[September 24]], [[1994]]
|[[September 2]], [[1995]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Oliver McCall]]
|WBC
|American
|-
|[[November 5]], [[1994]]
|[[March 4]], [[1995]]<sup>[[#Footnotes|3]]</sup>
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[George Foreman]]
|IBF & WBA
|American
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''The [[World Boxing Association]] withdrew its recognition of Foreman, but Foreman retained IBF championship recognition until it too was withdrawn.''
|-
|[[March 4]], [[1995]]
|[[June 28]], [[1995]]<sup>[[#Footnotes|3]]</sup>
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[George Foreman]]
|IBF
|American
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''The IBF withdrew its recognition of Foreman when he declined a rematch with [[Axel Schulz]] of Germany. Schultz was matched with [[Francois Botha]] of South Africa for the vacant title. The bout took place on [[December 9]], [[1995]] in [[Stuttgart]] and resulted in a split decision points victory for Botha. Botha however tested positive for illegal [[anabolic steroids]] in a post-fight drugs test and the result was changed to a no-contest. Although some record books continue to list Botha as a world champion, the IBF state that they do not regard that he was ever champion.''
|-
|[[March 11]], [[1995]]
|[[May 1]], [[1996]]<sup>[[#Footnotes|1]]</sup>
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Riddick Bowe]]
|WBO
|American
|-
|[[April 8]], [[1995]]
|[[September 7]], [[1996]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Bruce Seldon]]
|WBA
|American
|-
|[[September 2]], [[1995]]
|[[March 16]], [[1996]]
|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Frank Bruno]]
|WBC
|British
|-
|[[March 16]], [[1996]]
|[[September 7]], [[1996]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Mike Tyson]]
|WBC
|American
|-
|[[June 22]], [[1996]]
|[[November 8]], [[1997]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Michael Moorer]]
|IBF
|American
|-
|[[June 29]], [[1996]]
|[[February 17]], [[1997]]<sup>[[#Footnotes|1]]</sup>
|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Henry Akinwande]]
|WBO
|British
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''Akinwande had been ranked the WBC's #2 contender when he won the WBO title. The WBC, which has feuded with the WBO since the latter's founding in 1988, dropped Akinwande from its rankings altogether. Akinwande subsequently relinquished his WBO title in exchange for the opportunity to meet [[Lennox Lewis]] in a bout for the WBC championship.''
|-
|[[September 7]], [[1996]]
|[[September 24]], [[1996]]<sup>[[#Footnotes|1]]</sup>
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Mike Tyson]]
|WBA & WBC
|American
|-
|[[September 24]], [[1996]]
|[[November 9]], [[1996]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Mike Tyson]]
|WBA
|American
|-
|[[November 9]], [[1996]]
|[[November 8]], [[1997]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Evander Holyfield]]
|WBA
|American
|-
|[[February 7]], [[1997]]
|[[November 13]], [[1999]]
|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Lennox Lewis]]
|WBC
|British
|-
|[[June 28]], [[1997]]
|[[June 26]], [[1999]]
|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Herbie Hide]]
|WBO
|British
|-
|[[November 8]], [[1997]]
|[[November 13]], [[1999]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Evander Holyfield]]
|IBF & WBA
|American
|-
|[[June 26]], [[1999]]
|[[April 1]], [[2000]]
|{{flagicon|UKR}} [[Vitali Klitschko]]
|WBO
|Ukrainian
|-
|[[November 13]], [[1999]]
|[[April 29]], [[2000]]<sup>[[#Footnotes|3]]</sup>
|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Lennox Lewis]]
|IBF, WBA & WBC
|British
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''In early 2000 the [[World Boxing Association]] and Lewis were sued by representatives of [[John Ruiz]] claiming that they had reneged on an agreement by which Ruiz would have fought Lewis for the WBA title. A New Jersey court ruled in favor of Ruiz, and ordered Lewis to either have his next bout against Ruiz or relinquish the title. Lewis elected instead to fight contender [[Michael Grant (boxer)|Michael Grant]], relinquishing his WBA title on the day of the match.''
|-
|[[April 1]], [[2000]]
|[[October 14]], [[2000]]
|{{flagicon|USA}}[[Chris Byrd]]
|WBO
|American
|-
|[[April 29]], [[2000]]
|[[April 22]], [[2001]]
|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Lennox Lewis]]
|IBF & WBC
|British
|-
|[[August 12]], [[2000]]
|[[March 3]], [[2001]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Evander Holyfield]]
|WBA
|American
|-
|[[October 14]], [[2000]]
|[[March 8]], [[2003]]
|{{flagicon|UKR}} [[Wladimir Klitschko]]
|WBO
|Ukrainian
|-
|[[March 3]], [[2001]]
|[[March 1]], [[2003]]
|{{flagicon|PUR}} [[John Ruiz]]
|WBA
|Puerto Rican
|-
|[[April 22]], [[2001]]
|[[November 17]], [[2001]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Hasim Rahman]]
|IBF & WBC
|American
|-
|[[November 17]], [[2001]]
|[[September 5]], [[2002]]<sup>[[#Footnotes|1]]</sup>
|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Lennox Lewis]]
|IBF & WBC
|British
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''Lewis relinquished the IBF title upon receiving payment of $1 million (US) by promoter [[Don King (boxing promoter)|Don King]], who wished to stage a bout between [[Chris Byrd]] and [[Evander Holyfield]] for the vacant title.''
|-
|[[September 5]], [[2002]]
|[[February 6]], [[2004]]<sup>[[#Footnotes|2]]</sup>
|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Lennox Lewis]]
|WBC
|British
|-
|[[December 14]], [[2002]]
|[[April 22]], [[2006]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Chris Byrd]]
|IBF
|American
|-
|[[March 1]], [[2003]]
|[[February 20]], [[2004]]<sup>[[#Footnotes|1]]</sup>
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Roy Jones Jr.]]
|WBA
|American
|-
|[[March 8]], [[2003]]
|[[October 9]], [[2003]]<sup>[[#Footnotes|1]]</sup>
|{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Corrie Sanders]]
|WBO
|South African
|-
|[[February 20]], [[2004]]
|[[December 17]], [[2005]]
|{{flagicon|PUR}} [[John Ruiz]]
|WBA
|Puerto Rican
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''Ruiz beat [[Hasim Rahman]] on [[December 13]], [[2003]], to become the WBA's "interim" champion. He was awarded the championship following Roy Jones, Jr.'s announcement that he was relinquishing it to concentrate on lower weight divisions. Ruiz's title reign ended on April 30, 2005, following a loss to [[James Toney]] but ten days later, a drug test on Toney detected he had used products containing [[nandrolone]], an [[anabolic steroid]]. Thus, Toney's victory was changed to a 'no contest' by [[New York]] state athletic commission, and as a result, the [[World Boxing Association|WBA]] declared Ruiz was keeping the title.''
|-
|[[April 10]], [[2004]]
|[[April 1]], [[2006]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Lamon Brewster]]
|WBO
|American
|-
|[[April 24]], [[2004]]
|[[November 9]], [[2005]]<sup>[[#Footnotes|2]]</sup>
|{{flagicon|UKR}} [[Vitali Klitschko]]
|WBC
|Ukrainian
|-
|[[November 9]], [[2005]]
|[[August 13]], [[2006]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Hasim Rahman]]
|WBC
|American
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''Rahman defeated [[Monte Barrett]] on [[August 13]], [[2005]], to become the WBC's "interim" champion. He was awarded the championship following [[Vitali Klitschko]]'s announcement that he was retiring due to injury.''
|-
|[[December 17]], [[2005]]
|[[April 15]], [[2007]]
|{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Nikolay Valuev]]
|WBA
|Russian
|-
|[[April 1]], [[2006]]
|[[November 4]], [[2006]]
|{{flagicon|BLR}} [[Sergei Liakhovich]]
|WBO
|Belarusian
|-
|[[April 22]], [[2006]]
|[[February 23]], [[2008]]
|{{flagicon|UKR}} [[Wladimir Klitschko]]
|IBF
|Ukrainian
|-
|[[August 13]], [[2006]]
|[[March 8]], [[2008]]
|{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Oleg Maskaev]]
|WBC
|Russian
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size: smaller;"|
:''Maskaev was born in [[Kazakhstan]] to Russian parents. He originally held Kazakh citizenship but was granted [[USA|US]] citizenship in 2004. In December 2006 he was also granted [[Russia]]n citizenship. On September 24, 2007, [[Samuel Peter]] was declared the WBC's "interim" champion. Peter ultimately defeated Maskaev on March 8, 2008.''
|-
|[[November 4]], [[2006]]
|[[June 2]], [[2007]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Shannon Briggs]]
|WBO
|American
|-
|[[April 15]], [[2007]]
|present
|{{flagicon|UZB}} [[Ruslan Chagaev]]
|WBA
|Uzbekistani
|-
|[[June 2]], [[2007]]
|[[February 23]], [[2008]]
|{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Sultan Ibragimov]]
|WBO
|Russian
|-
|[[February 23]], [[2008]]
|present
|{{flagicon|UKR}} [[Wladimir Klitschko]]
|IBF & WBO
|Ukrainian
|-
|[[March 8]], [[2008]]
|present
|{{flagicon|NGR}} [[Samuel Peter]]
|WBC
|Nigerian
|}
==Footnotes==
:<sup>1</sup> Relinquished championship title.
:<sup>2</sup> Retired as champion, relinquishing title.
:<sup>3</sup> Championship recognition withdrawn by sanctioning organization due to champion's failure or refusal to defend title against the organization's #1 ranked contender.
==Sources==
* [http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Arena/6925/boxing.html Steve Dimitry's Heavyweight Boxing History]
* {{cite book | author=Arnold, Peter | title= Encyclopedia of Boxing | publisher= WH Smith Books | location=London | year = 1989 | id=ISBN 1-85435-200-8}}
==See also==
* [[List of male boxers]]
* [[List of current world boxing champions]]
{{World boxing champions}}
[[Category:History of boxing]]
[[Category:Lists of boxers|Heavyweight champions]]
[[Category:World boxing champions|* List of heavyweight boxing champions]]
[[de:Liste der Boxweltmeister im Schwergewicht]]
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[[no:Liste over verdensmestre i tungvektsboksing]]
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