Boxing Title History of All Seventeen Divisions

We present the history of all seventeen divisions tracing how the titles have passed from boxer to boxer from the beginning of each division to present day, these lists can be accessed via the main page under championship history on the right hand column. These lists have taken many years to compile; searching through historic archives and endless amounts of material was an overwhelming, but very enjoyable task. I would like to thank all who assisted me accomplish my vision of clarified chronological list. I would like to say a special thank you to all who assisted at the Chicago Historical Society, London National Archives, The Chicago Herald, Los Angeles & New York Times. To all others who gave so much of their precious time and patience, Thank you; I will forever be in your debt.

Commissions have stripped many great champions, some for failing to defend against their association’s mandatory challenger, some for contractual dispute. In addition, there are the cases when champions have been stripped for some downright deplorable reasons, when in 1967 the New York commission stripped Muhammad Ali for his refusal to enrol in to the US army, robbing the world of one of the true greats while at his peak. Some champions relinquish/vacate the title paving their own road to glory in their quest to become multiple weight champions; this has been more evident since the creation of the junior divisions making the transition a little easier, where a fighter often campaigns in two or three different weight categories in pursuit of the big payday.

In other cases fighters refuse to accept the title in the ring like Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera done in 2002. After winning a decision against fellow Mexican, Erik Morales, he refused to accept the title still believing he won when the two met in their first encounter two years earlier. This is proof alone that the alphabet organisations have long been losing their credibility with many fighters, fans and media. Moreover, this is why more and more people are turning to independent clarified ranking policies, like that of theboxinghistorian.com. For ease of reference, we included a notes column to provide additional information when obligatory.

As boxing fans we are all too aware of the multiple titles, fragmented divisions and stripping of titles for failure to defend against mandatory challengers. It’s an almost impossible task trying to keep tuned into the entire goings on within these organisations with regard to their respective titles. There are often bouts contested at a contractual catch weight, this adds to the confusion to exactly what is happening to the titles. This is where you the fan comes in, theboxinghistorian.com takes on board any information and is open to amending these lists when necessary, we appreciate your input to keep a clear chronological list.

Please note these listings have been compiled with a great deal of research spanning years, there was some confusion in the early years as to who held the title and when it was put on the line. It was not un-common for several fighters to lay claim to be the champion of a particular title. I have cross referenced historic archives alongside old papers from the day to determine exactly who was regarded as the champion. Enjoy and Share.

Source @ http://www.theboxinghistorian.com/ChampionshipHistory/Heavyweight.html