Professional Male boxers who weigh over are considered heavyweights by 2 of the 4 major professional boxing organizations: the
International Boxing Federation and the
World Boxing Organization. In 2020, the
World Boxing Council increased their heavyweight classification to 224 pounds (102 kg; 16 st) to allow for their creation of the
bridgerweight division. The
World Boxing Association (WBA) did the same in 2023. Female boxers who weigh over are considered heavyweights by all four of the boxing federations.
Historical development Because this division has no upper weight limit, it has historically been vaguely defined. In the 19th century, for example, many
heavyweight champions weighed or less (although others weighed 200 pounds). In 1920, the light heavyweight division was formed, with a maximum weight of . Any fighter weighing more than 175 pounds was a heavyweight. The cruiserweight division (first for boxers in the 175–190 pound range) was established in 1979 and recognized by the various boxing organizations in the 1980s with a maximum weight of either or . Later these organizations increased the cruiserweight limit to 200 pounds. Since 1975, the
Amateur Athletic Union of the United States and the Soviet Sports Committee established a new concept in international boxing, called "Heavy Duals," an all-heavyweight team contest between the United States and the Soviet Union. As of 2025,
Wladimir Klitschko holds records of beating the most boxers for the world heavyweight title, with 23, and the
longest cumulative heavyweight title reign of all time, with 4,382 days as world heavyweight champion.
Joe Louis has won the most world heavyweight title bouts, with 27, Four boxers have regained the heavyweight title in an immediate rematch:
Floyd Patterson in 1960,
Muhammad Ali in 1978,
Lennox Lewis in 2001, and
Anthony Joshua in 2019.
George Foreman holds the record for being the oldest heavyweight to ever achieve championship status, becoming champion at the age of 45, while
Mike Tyson possesses the record for youngest heavyweight champion at 20. Tyson also became the first heavyweight to own all three major belts – WBA, WBC, and IBF as well as The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles at the same time.
Current world champions Current world rankings The Ring As of April 16, 2026. Keys: : Current
The Ring world champion
BoxRec As of 12 April 2026.
Longest-reigning world heavyweight champions Keys: : Active title reign : Reign has ended :
Note 1: WBA (Regular) champions are not included :
Note 2: WBO heavyweight title bouts before August 1997 are not included :
Note 3: The names in
italics are champions that did not win
The Ring championship/lineal championship (August 29, 1885–July 2, 1921)/undisputed championship (July 2, 1921–present)
Combined reign The list does not include
The Ring and lineal championship fights after 1921.
As of 09 September 2025.
Individual reign Below is a list of longest reigning heavyweight champions in boxing measured by the individual's longest reign. The list includes both
The Ring and lineal championships. Career total time as champion (for multiple time champions) does not apply.
As of 2 October 2025. Amateur The lower limit for heavyweight was established in 1948 at . A weight class named "super heavyweight" was established in 1984, and with it a maximum for the heavyweight division. ==Kickboxing==