Open Boxing

John Henry Lewis

John Henry Lewis held the NYSAC, WBA and The Ring light heavyweight world titles between 1935 and 1939. Lewis was the undisputed light heavyweight world champion from 1935 to 1938. Lewis first became a world champion aged 21 after winning the NYSAC, WBA and The Ring light heavyweight world titles by beating Bob Olin.

World title bouts
7
Record in world title bouts (won–lost)
6–1
World titles held
3
Longest world title reign (WBA light heavyweight, 1935–1939)
3 years, 7 months

World title reigns and bouts

Jan 1935 – Jan 1940

HeavyweightNYSAC
WBA
The Ring
Light HeavyweightNYSAC
WBA
The Ring
1935age 20AprJulage 21Oct1936AprJulage 22Oct1937AprJulage 23Oct1938AprJulage 24Oct1939AprJulage 25Oct1940
193519361937193819391940

WonLostDrawn or no contest

Timeline of world title events

  1. 1939

  2. John Henry Lewis’s reign as the WBA light heavyweight world champion ends

    Light Heavyweight · WBA

  3. John Henry Lewis’s reign as The Ring light heavyweight world champion ends

    Light Heavyweight · The Ring

  4. Joe Louis beats John Henry Lewis via knockout 1/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  5. 1938

  6. The Ring magazine rates John Henry Lewis the light heavyweight champion in its annual ratings

  7. John Henry Lewis beats Al Gainer via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA and The Ring

  8. John Henry Lewis’s reign as the NYSAC light heavyweight world champion ends

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC

  9. John Henry Lewis beats Emilio Martinez via knockout 4/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  10. 1937

  11. The Ring magazine rates John Henry Lewis the light heavyweight champion in its annual ratings

  12. John Henry Lewis beats Bob Olin via knockout 8/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  13. 1936

  14. The Ring magazine rates John Henry Lewis the light heavyweight champion in its annual ratings

  15. John Henry Lewis beats Len Harvey via points decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  16. John Henry Lewis beats Jock McAvoy via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  17. 1935

  18. The Ring magazine rates John Henry Lewis the light heavyweight champion in its annual ratings

  19. John Henry Lewis beats Bob Olin via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  20. 1934

  21. The Ring magazine rates John Henry Lewis No. 4 at light heavyweight in its annual ratings

  22. 1933

  23. The Ring magazine rates John Henry Lewis No. 1 at light heavyweight in its annual ratings

  24. 1932

  25. The Ring magazine rates John Henry Lewis No. 4 at light heavyweight in its annual ratings