A list Of Every World Heavyweight Boxing Champion In History

Timeline of every boxing heavyweight champion under Marquess of Queensberry rules. From John L Sullivan to present day Champions Oleksandr Usyk & Tyson Fury

  • List of world heavyweight boxing champions

    List of every recognised world heavyweight champion in history

  • First recognized Heavyweight Champion 08/29/1885

    John L. Sullivan

    John Lawrence Sullivan (October 15, 1858 – February 2, 1918), known simply as John L. among his admirers, and dubbed the “Boston Strong Boy” by the press, was an Irish-American boxer recognized as the first lineal heavyweight champion of gloved boxing, de facto reigning from February 7, 1882, to 1892. He is also generally recognized as the last heavyweight champion of bare-knuckle boxing under the London Prize Ring...

  • Heavyweight Champion 09/07/1892

    James J. Corbett

    James John “Jim” Corbett (September 1, 1866 – February 18, 1933) was an American professional boxer and a World Heavyweight Champion, best known as the only man who ever defeated the great John L. Sullivan (hence the “man who beat the man” concept of the championship boxing lineage.) Despite a career spanning only 20 bouts, Corbett faced the best competition his era had to...

  • Heavyweight Champion 03/17/1897

    Bob Fitzsimmons

    Robert James “Bob” Fitzsimmons (26 May 1863 – 22 October 1917) was a British professional boxer who was the sport’s first three-division world champion.He also achieved fame for beating Gentleman Jim Corbett (the man who beat John L. Sullivan), and he is in The Guinness Book of World Records as the lightest heavyweight champion. Nicknamed “Ruby Robert” and “The Freckled Wonder”, he took pride in...

  • Heavyweight Champion 06/09/1899

    James J. Jeffries

    James Jackson “Jim” Jefferies (April 15, 1875 – March 3, 1953) was was known for his enormous strength and stamina. Using a technique taught to him by his trainer, former Welterweight and Middleweight Champion Tommy Ryan, Jeffries fought out of a crouch with his left arm extended forward. He was able to absorb tremendous punishment while wearing his opponents down. A natural...

  • Heavyweight Champion 07/03/1905

    Marvin Hart

    Hart, nicknamed “The Louisville Plumber” because of his former trade, gained considerable prominence after a 1905 . That year, the heavyweight title was left vacant as a result of the retirement of champion James J. Jeffries and Hart’s record earned him a chance to fight for the championship against top-ranked Jack Root (1876–1963), a much...

  • Heavyweight Champion 02/23/1906
    Tommy Burns

    Tommy Burns

    Tommy Burns (June 17, 1881 – May 10, 1955), born Noah Brusso, was a Canadian professional boxer. He is the only Canadian-born World Heavyweight Boxing Champion. The first to travel the globe in defending his title, Tommy made 13 title defences despite often being the underdog due to his size. Burns famously challenged all comers as Heavyweight Champion, leading...

  • Heavyweight Champion 12/26/1908

    Jack Johnson

    John Arthur “Jack” Johnson (March 31, 1878 – June 10, 1946), nicknamed the Galveston Giant, was an American boxer who, at the height of the Jim Crow era, became the first African American world heavyweight boxing champion (1908–1915). Among the period’s most dominant champions, Johnson remains a boxing legend, with his 1910 fight against James...

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