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- For the mixed martial arts division of the same name, see Heavyweight (MMA).
Heavyweight is a division, or weight class, in boxing.
Because this division has no maximum weight limit, it has been historically vaguely defined. In the 19th century, for example, many heavyweight champions weighed 170 pounds (77 kg) or less (although others weighed 200 pounds (91 kg) and more). In 1920, the minimum weight for a heavyweight was set at 175 pounds (79 kg), which today is the light heavyweight division maximum. Today, for most boxing organizations, the minimum weight for a heavyweight is 201 pounds (91 kg). Thus, a fighter who weighs over 200 pounds (91 kg) may not fight as anything but a heavyweight.
It is impossible to say who the "first" heavyweight champion was, since the sport of boxing goes back as far as recorded history and there have always been large fighters. Even in the bare-knuckle era, "champions" were plentiful. Some of the most notable of these included the slave Tom Molineaux, Jack Slack, Jem Belcher, Ben Caunt and Jem Mace.
The first heavyweight champion under the Marquess of Queensberry rules was the immensely popular John L. Sullivan, known as "The Boston Strong Boy." He weighed around 200 pounds (91 kg) when in shape and was a bare-knuckle champion. He was defeated by Jim Corbett on September 7, 1892 in 21 rounds. (Today title bouts are limited to 12 rounds, but not so in the early days.)
It should also be noted that in recent years, the heavyweight title has become fractured amongst various sanctioning organizations, and so what was once known as the single "Heavyweight Champion", is now referred to as the "Undisputed Champion" as the one fighter that has defeated all the other titlists.
[edit] Notable heavyweight boxers
- John L. Sullivan, first heavyweight champion under modern rules
- Jim Corbett
- Bob Fitzsimmons, first heavyweight champion from the UK.
- James J. Jeffries, won undisputed title in his 12th fight
- Jack Johnson, the first African-American heavyweight champion
- Jack Dempsey
- Gene Tunney
- Max Schmeling only undisputed heavyweight champion to win the title by disqualification
- Max Baer
- Joe Louis, who defended the title a record number 25 times
- Rocky Marciano, the only heavyweight champ to retire undefeated
- Floyd Patterson, the first heavyweight champ to regain the title, youngest undisputed champion and second youngest title claimant
- Sonny Liston
- Muhammad Ali, held the heavyweight title three times
- Joe Frazier
- George Foreman, who reclaimed the championship after a 10-year retirement to become the oldest heavyweight champion at 45
- Larry Holmes defended title 20 times
- Michael Spinks first light heavyweight champion to ever capture a heavyweight title
- Mike Tyson youngest champion, unified title, defended 9 times
- Evander Holyfield
- Riddick Bowe
- Michael Moorer first southpaw heavyweight champion
- Lennox Lewis, the first British champion in 100 years
- Vitali Klitschko
[edit] Olympic champions
The weight limit for the heavyweight class has varied over the years. In 1984, the super-heavyweight class was introduced as the unlimited category. The current super-heavyweight Olympic class is 91+ kg (200.5 lb), which is equivalent to the heavyweight division in professional boxing.
- See also: Super heavyweight
- 1904 –
Samuel Berger (USA)
- 1908 –
Albert Oldman (GBR)
- 1920 – Ronald Rawson (GBR)
- 1924 –
Otto von Porat (NOR)
- 1928 –
Arturo Rodríguez Jurado (ARG)
- 1932 – Santiago Lovell (ARG)
- 1936 –
Herbert Runge (GER)
- 1948 – Rafael Iglesias (ARG)
- 1952 –
Ed Sanders (USA)
- 1956 – Peter Rademacher (USA)
- 1960 –
Franco De Piccoli (ITA)
- 1964 –
Joe Frazier (USA)
- 1968 – George Foreman (USA)
- 1972 –
Teófilo Stevenson (CUB)
- 1976 – Teófilo Stevenson (CUB)
- 1980 – Teófilo Stevenson (CUB)
- 1984 – Henry Tillman (USA)
- 1988 – Ray Mercer (USA)
- 1992 – Félix Savón (CUB)
- 1996 – Félix Savón (CUB)
- 2000 – Félix Savón (CUB)
- 2004 – Odlanier Solis Fonte (CUB)
[edit] Professional Champions
- List of heavyweight boxing champions
[edit] See also
- Lineal heavyweight champions
- Boxing
- Boxing weight classes
- Reigning boxing champions