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Benny Leonard

Benny Leonard held the IBU, NYSAC, WBA and The Ring lightweight world titles between 1917 and 1925. Leonard was the undisputed lightweight world champion from 1917 to 1925. Leonard was The Ring's first lightweight world champion. Leonard first became a world champion aged 21 after winning the IBU and NYSAC lightweight world titles by beating Freddie Welsh.

World title bouts
11
Record in world title bouts (won–lost)
10–1
World titles held
4
Longest world title reign (IBU lightweight, 1917–1925)
7 years, 7 months

World title reigns and bouts

Jan 1916 – Jan 1926

WelterweightIBU
NYSAC
WBA
LightweightIBU
NYSAC
WBA
The Ring
1916age 191917age 201918age 211919age 221920age 231921age 241922age 251923age 261924age 271925age 281926age 29
191619181920192219241926

WonLostDrawn or no contest

From the archive

Timeline of world title events

  1. 1925

  2. Benny Leonard’s reign as the IBU lightweight world champion ends

    Lightweight · IBU

    Benny Leonard’s reign as the NYSAC lightweight world champion ends

    Lightweight · NYSAC

    Benny Leonard’s reign as the WBA lightweight world champion ends

    Lightweight · WBA

    Benny Leonard’s reign as The Ring lightweight world champion ends

    Lightweight · The Ring

  3. 1924

  4. The Ring magazine rates Benny Leonard the lightweight champion in its annual ratings

  5. Benny Leonard becomes The Ring lightweight champion

    Lightweight · The Ring

  6. 1923

  7. Benny Leonard beats Lew Tendler via unanimous decision 15/15

    Lightweight · NYSAC, WBA and IBU

  8. 1922

  9. Benny Leonard beats Lew Tendler via newspaper decision 12/12

    Lightweight · NYSAC, WBA and IBU Read 3 articles

  10. Jack Britton beats Benny Leonard via disqualification 13/15

    Welterweight · NYSAC, WBA and IBU

  11. Benny Leonard beats Rocky Kansas via unanimous decision 15/15

    Lightweight · NYSAC, WBA and IBU

  12. 1921

  13. Benny Leonard becomes WBA lightweight champion

    Lightweight · WBA

  14. Benny Leonard beats Rocky Kansas via newspaper decision 12/12

    Lightweight · IBU, NYSAC and WBA

  15. Benny Leonard beats Richie Mitchell via knockout 6/15

    Lightweight · IBU, NYSAC and WBA

  16. 1920

  17. Benny Leonard beats Joe Welling via knockout 14/15

    Lightweight · IBU and NYSAC

  18. 1919

  19. Benny Leonard beats Lockport Jimmy Duffy via knockout 2/15

    Lightweight · IBU

  20. 1917

  21. Benny Leonard beats Leo Johnson via knockout 1/10

    Lightweight · IBU and NYSAC

  22. Benny Leonard beats Freddie Welsh via knockout 9/10

    Lightweight · IBU and NYSAC

  23. 1916

  24. Benny Leonard beats Freddie Welsh via newspaper decision 10/10

    Lightweight · IBU