Open Boxing

The Ring heavyweight world title

Covers world title bouts since 1922. Current champion: Oleksandr Usyk, since 20th Aug 2022.

World title bouts
140
Champions
26
Longest reign (Joe Louis, 1937–1949)
11 years, 8 months
Most successful defences in one reign (Joe Louis, 1937–1949)
26

Current champion

Oleksandr UsykSince 20th Aug 2022 · 4 years, 2 months · 5 successful defences

Reigns and world title bouts

Jan 2022 – Jan 2027

The Ring
Tyson FuryOleksandr Usyk
AprJulOct2023AprJulOct2024AprJulOct2025AprJulOct2026AprJulOct2027
1930194019501960197019801990200020102020

World title bout

Reigns by length

  1. 1Joe LouisThe Ring1937–194911 years, 8 months · 26 successful defences
  2. 2Wladimir KlitschkoThe Ring2009–20156 years, 5 months · 11 successful defences
  3. 3Muhammad AliThe Ring1964–19705 years, 11 months · 9 successful defences
  4. 4Larry HolmesThe Ring1980–19854 years, 11 months · 12 successful defences
  5. 5Jack DempseyThe Ring1922–19264 years, 7 months · 2 successful defences
  6. 6Oleksandr UsykThe Ring2022–present4 years, 2 months · 5 successful defences
  7. 7Rocky MarcianoThe Ring1952–19563 years, 7 months · 6 successful defences
  8. 8Muhammad AliThe Ring1974–19783 years, 3 months · 10 successful defences
  9. 9Michael SpinksThe Ring1985–19882 years, 9 months · 3 successful defences
  10. 10Floyd PattersonThe Ring1956–19592 years, 6 months · 4 successful defences
  11. 11Tyson FuryThe Ring2020–20222 years, 5 months · 2 successful defences
  12. 12Floyd PattersonThe Ring1960–19622 years, 3 months · 2 successful defences
  13. 13Tyson FuryThe Ring2015–20182 years, 2 months · 0 successful defences
  14. 14Max SchmelingThe Ring1930–19322 years · 1 successful defence
  15. 15Jim BraddockThe Ring1935–19372 years · 0 successful defences
  16. 16Joe FrazierThe Ring1971–19731 year, 10 months · 2 successful defences
  17. 17Gene TunneyThe Ring1926–19281 year, 10 months · 2 successful defences
  18. 18George ForemanThe Ring1973–19741 year, 9 months · 2 successful defences
  19. 19Lennox LewisThe Ring2002–20041 year, 9 months · 2 successful defences
  20. 20Mike TysonThe Ring1988–19901 year, 9 months · 2 successful defences
  21. 21Vitali KlitschkoThe Ring2004–20051 year, 6 months · 1 successful defence
  22. 22Sonny ListonThe Ring1962–19641 year, 5 months · 1 successful defence
  23. 23Jersey Joe WalcottThe Ring1951–19521 year, 2 months · 1 successful defence
  24. 24Jack SharkeyThe Ring1932–19331 year · 0 successful defences
  25. 25Max BaerThe Ring1934–193511 months · 0 successful defences
  26. 26Ingemar JohanssonThe Ring1959–196011 months · 0 successful defences
  27. 27Muhammad AliThe Ring1978–197911 months · 0 successful defences
  28. 28Primo CarneraThe Ring1933–193411 months · 2 successful defences
  29. 29Ezzard CharlesThe Ring1950–19519 months · 4 successful defences
  30. 30Leon SpinksThe Ring1978–19787 months · 0 successful defences

From the archive

Timeline of world title events

  1. 1922

  2. Jack Dempsey becomes The Ring heavyweight world champion

    Heavyweight · The RingNew champion

  3. 1923

  4. Jack Dempsey beats Tommy Gibbons via points decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA, IBU and The RingRead 13 articles

  5. Jack Dempsey beats Luis Angel Firpo via knockout 2/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA, IBU and The RingRead 11 articles

  6. 1926

  7. Gene Tunney beats Jack Dempsey via unanimous decision 10/10

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA, IBU and The RingNew Ring champion

  8. 1927

  9. Gene Tunney beats Jack Dempsey via unanimous decision 10/10

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA, IBU and The Ring

  10. 1928

  11. Gene Tunney beats Tom Heeney via knockout 11/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA, IBU and The Ring

  12. Gene Tunney’s reign as The Ring heavyweight world champion ends

    Heavyweight · The Ring

  1. 1930

  2. Max Schmeling beats Jack Sharkey via disqualification 4/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA, IBU and The RingNew Ring champion

  3. 1931

  4. Max Schmeling beats Young Stribling via knockout 15/15

    Heavyweight · IBU, NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  5. 1932

  6. Jack Sharkey beats Max Schmeling via split decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA, IBU and The RingNew Ring champion

  7. 1933

  8. Primo Carnera beats Jack Sharkey via knockout 6/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA, IBU and The RingNew Ring champion

  9. Primo Carnera beats Paulino Uzcudun via unanimous decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · IBU and The Ring

  10. 1934

  11. Primo Carnera beats Tommy Loughran via unanimous decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA, IBU and The Ring

  12. Max Baer beats Primo Carnera via knockout 11/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA, IBU and The RingNew Ring champion

  13. 1935

  14. Jim Braddock beats Max Baer via unanimous decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The RingNew Ring champion

  15. 1937

  16. Joe Louis beats Jim Braddock via knockout 8/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The RingNew Ring champion

  17. Joe Louis beats Tommy Farr via unanimous decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC and The Ring

  18. 1938

  19. Joe Louis beats Nathan Mann via knockout 3/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  20. Joe Louis beats Harry Thomas via knockout 5/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  21. Joe Louis beats Max Schmeling via knockout 1/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  22. 1939

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

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  24. Joe Louis beats Jack Roper via knockout 1/10

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  25. Joe Louis beats Tony Galento via knockout 4/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  26. Joe Louis beats Bob Pastor via knockout 11/20

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  1. 1940

  2. Joe Louis beats Arturo Godoy via split decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  3. Joe Louis beats Johnny Paychek via knockout 2/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  4. Joe Louis beats Arturo Godoy via knockout 8/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  5. Joe Louis beats Al McCoy via corner retirement 5/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  6. 1941

  7. Joe Louis beats Red Burman via knockout 5/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  8. Joe Louis beats Gus Dorazio via knockout 2/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  9. Joe Louis beats Abe Simon via knockout 13/20

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  10. Joe Louis beats Tony Musto via knockout 9/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  11. Joe Louis beats Buddy Baer via disqualification 7/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  12. Joe Louis beats Billy Conn via knockout 13/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  13. Joe Louis beats Lou Nova via knockout 6/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  14. 1942

  15. Joe Louis beats Buddy Baer via knockout 1/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  16. Joe Louis beats Abe Simon via knockout 6/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  17. 1944

  18. Joe Louis beats Johnny Davis via knockout 1/4

    Heavyweight · NYSAC and The Ring

  19. 1946

  20. Joe Louis beats Billy Conn via knockout 8/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  21. Joe Louis beats Tami Mauriello via knockout 1/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  22. 1947

  23. Joe Louis beats Jersey Joe Walcott via split decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  24. 1948

  25. Joe Louis beats Jersey Joe Walcott via knockout 11/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  26. 1949

  27. Joe Louis’s reign as The Ring heavyweight world champion ends

    Heavyweight · The Ring

  1. 1950

  2. Ezzard Charles beats Joe Louis via unanimous decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The RingNew Ring champion

  3. Ezzard Charles beats Nick Barone via knockout 11/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  4. 1951

  5. Ezzard Charles beats Lee Oma via knockout 10/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  6. Ezzard Charles beats Jersey Joe Walcott via unanimous decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  7. Ezzard Charles beats Joey Maxim via unanimous decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  8. Jersey Joe Walcott beats Ezzard Charles via knockout 7/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The RingNew Ring champion

  9. 1952

  10. Jersey Joe Walcott beats Ezzard Charles via unanimous decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  11. Rocky Marciano beats Jersey Joe Walcott via knockout 13/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The RingNew Ring champion

  12. 1953

  13. Rocky Marciano beats Jersey Joe Walcott via knockout 1/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  14. Rocky Marciano beats Roland LaStarza via knockout 11/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  15. 1954

  16. Rocky Marciano beats Ezzard Charles via unanimous decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  17. Rocky Marciano beats Ezzard Charles via knockout 8/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  18. 1955

  19. Rocky Marciano beats Don Cockell via knockout 9/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  20. Rocky Marciano beats Archie Moore via knockout 9/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  21. 1956

  22. Rocky Marciano’s reign as The Ring heavyweight world champion ends

    Heavyweight · The Ring

  23. Floyd Patterson beats Archie Moore via knockout 5/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The RingNew Ring champion

  24. 1957

  25. Floyd Patterson beats Tommy Jackson via knockout 10/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  26. Floyd Patterson beats Pete Rademacher via knockout 6/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC and The Ring

  27. 1958

  28. Floyd Patterson beats Roy Harris via corner retirement 12/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  29. 1959

  30. Floyd Patterson beats Brian London via knockout 11/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  31. Ingemar Johansson beats Floyd Patterson via knockout 3/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The RingNew Ring champion

  1. 1960

  2. Floyd Patterson beats Ingemar Johansson via knockout 5/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The RingNew Ring champion

  3. 1961

  4. Floyd Patterson beats Ingemar Johansson via knockout 6/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  5. Floyd Patterson beats Tom McNeeley via knockout 4/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  6. 1962

  7. Sonny Liston beats Floyd Patterson via knockout 1/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The RingNew Ring champion

  8. 1963

  9. Sonny Liston beats Floyd Patterson via knockout 1/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  10. 1964

  11. Muhammad Ali beats Sonny Liston via corner retirement 6/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA, WBC and The RingNew Ring champion

  12. 1965

  13. Muhammad Ali beats Sonny Liston via knockout 1/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBC and The Ring

  14. Muhammad Ali beats Floyd Patterson via knockout 12/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBC and The Ring

  15. 1966

  16. Muhammad Ali beats George Chuvalo via unanimous decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBC and The Ring

  17. Muhammad Ali beats Henry Cooper via knockout 6/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBC and The Ring

  18. Muhammad Ali beats Brian London via knockout 3/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBC and The Ring

  19. Muhammad Ali beats Karl Mildenberger via knockout 12/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBC and The Ring

  20. Muhammad Ali beats Cleveland Williams via knockout 3/15

    Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBC and The Ring

  21. 1967

  22. Muhammad Ali beats Ernie Terrell via unanimous decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · WBA, WBC, NYSAC and The Ring

  23. Muhammad Ali beats Zora Folley via knockout 7/15

    Heavyweight · WBA, WBC, NYSAC and The Ring

  1. 1970

  2. Muhammad Ali’s reign as The Ring heavyweight world champion ends

    Heavyweight · The Ring

  3. 1971

  4. Joe Frazier beats Muhammad Ali via unanimous decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The RingNew Ring champion

  5. 1972

  6. Joe Frazier beats Terry Daniels via knockout 4/15

    Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  7. Joe Frazier beats Ron Stander via corner retirement 4/15

    Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  8. 1973

  9. George Foreman beats Joe Frazier via knockout 2/15

    Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The RingNew Ring champion

  10. George Foreman beats Jose Roman via knockout 1/15

    Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  11. 1974

  12. George Foreman beats Ken Norton via knockout 2/15

    Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  13. Muhammad Ali beats George Foreman via knockout 8/15

    Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The RingNew Ring champion

  14. 1975

  15. Muhammad Ali beats Chuck Wepner via knockout 15/15

    Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  16. Muhammad Ali beats Ron Lyle via knockout 11/15

    Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  17. Muhammad Ali beats Joe Bugner via unanimous decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  18. Muhammad Ali beats Joe Frazier via corner retirement 14/15

    Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  19. 1976

  20. Muhammad Ali beats Jean Pierre Coopman via knockout 5/15

    Heavyweight · WBA and The Ring

  21. Muhammad Ali beats Jimmy Young via unanimous decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  22. Muhammad Ali beats Richard Dunn via knockout 5/15

    Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  23. Muhammad Ali beats Ken Norton via unanimous decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  24. 1977

  25. Muhammad Ali beats Alfredo Evangelista via unanimous decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  26. Muhammad Ali beats Earnie Shavers via unanimous decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  27. 1978

  28. Leon Spinks beats Muhammad Ali via split decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The RingNew Ring champion

  29. Muhammad Ali beats Leon Spinks via unanimous decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · WBA and The RingNew Ring champion

  30. 1979

  31. Muhammad Ali’s reign as The Ring heavyweight world champion ends

    Heavyweight · The Ring

  1. 1980

  2. Larry Holmes beats Muhammad Ali via corner retirement 10/15

    Heavyweight · WBC and The RingNew Ring champion

  3. 1981

  4. Larry Holmes beats Trevor Berbick via unanimous decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  5. Larry Holmes beats Leon Spinks via knockout 3/15

    Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  6. Larry Holmes beats Renaldo Snipes via knockout 11/15

    Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  7. 1982

  8. Larry Holmes beats Gerry Cooney via knockout 13/15

    Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  9. Larry Holmes beats Randall Cobb via unanimous decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  10. 1983

  11. Larry Holmes beats Lucien Rodriguez via unanimous decision 12/12

    Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  12. Larry Holmes beats Tim Witherspoon via split decision 12/12

    Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  13. Larry Holmes beats Scott Frank via knockout 5/12

    Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  14. Larry Holmes beats Marvis Frazier via knockout 1/12

    Heavyweight · The Ring

  15. 1984

  16. Larry Holmes beats James Smith via knockout 12/15

    Heavyweight · IBF and The Ring

  17. 1985

  18. Larry Holmes beats David Bey via knockout 10/15

    Heavyweight · IBF and The Ring

  19. Larry Holmes beats Carl Williams via unanimous decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · IBF and The Ring

  20. Michael Spinks beats Larry Holmes via unanimous decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · IBF and The RingNew Ring champion

  21. 1986

  22. Michael Spinks beats Larry Holmes via split decision 15/15

    Heavyweight · IBF and The Ring

  23. Michael Spinks beats Steffen Tangstad via knockout 4/15

    Heavyweight · IBF and The Ring

  24. 1987

  25. Michael Spinks beats Gerry Cooney via knockout 5/15

    Heavyweight · The Ring

  26. 1988

  27. Mike Tyson beats Michael Spinks via knockout 1/15

    Heavyweight · WBA, WBC, IBF and The RingNew Ring champion

  28. 1989

  29. Mike Tyson beats Frank Bruno via knockout 5/12

    Heavyweight · WBA, WBC, IBF and The Ring

  30. Mike Tyson beats Carl Williams via knockout 1/12

    Heavyweight · WBA, WBC, IBF and The Ring

  1. 1990

  2. Mike Tyson’s reign as The Ring heavyweight world champion ends

    Heavyweight · The Ring

  1. 2002

  2. Lennox Lewis becomes The Ring heavyweight world champion

    Heavyweight · The RingNew champion

  3. Lennox Lewis beats Mike Tyson via knockout 8/12

    Heavyweight · WBC, IBF and The Ring

  4. 2003

  5. Lennox Lewis beats Vitali Klitschko via knockout 6/12

    Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  6. 2004

  7. Lennox Lewis’s reign as The Ring heavyweight world champion ends

    Heavyweight · The Ring

  8. Vitali Klitschko beats Corrie Sanders via knockout 8/12

    Heavyweight · WBC and The RingNew Ring champion

  9. Vitali Klitschko beats Danny Williams via knockout 8/12

    Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  10. 2005

  11. Vitali Klitschko’s reign as The Ring heavyweight world champion ends

    Heavyweight · The Ring

  12. 2009

  13. Wladimir Klitschko beats Ruslan Chagaev via corner retirement 9/12

    Heavyweight · IBF, WBO and The RingNew Ring champion

  1. 2010

  2. Wladimir Klitschko beats Eddie Chambers via knockout 12/12

    Heavyweight · IBF, WBO and The Ring

  3. Wladimir Klitschko beats Samuel Peter via knockout 10/12

    Heavyweight · IBF, WBO and The Ring

  4. 2011

  5. Wladimir Klitschko beats David Haye via unanimous decision 12/12

    Heavyweight · WBA Super, IBF, WBO and The Ring

  6. 2012

  7. Wladimir Klitschko beats Jean Marc Mormeck via knockout 4/12

    Heavyweight · WBA Super, IBF, WBO and The Ring

  8. Wladimir Klitschko beats Tony Thompson via knockout 6/12

    Heavyweight · WBA Super, IBF, WBO and The Ring

  9. Wladimir Klitschko beats Mariusz Wach via unanimous decision 12/12

    Heavyweight · WBA Super, IBF, WBO and The Ring

  10. 2013

  11. Wladimir Klitschko beats Francesco Pianeta via knockout 6/12

    Heavyweight · WBA Super, IBF, WBO and The Ring

  12. Wladimir Klitschko beats Alexander Povetkin via unanimous decision 12/12

    Heavyweight · WBA Super, IBF, WBO and The Ring

  13. 2014

  14. Wladimir Klitschko beats Alex Leapai via knockout 5/12

    Heavyweight · WBA Super, IBF, WBO and The Ring

  15. Wladimir Klitschko beats Kubrat Pulev via knockout 5/12

    Heavyweight · WBA Super, IBF, WBO and The Ring

  16. 2015

  17. Wladimir Klitschko beats Bryant Jennings via unanimous decision 12/12

    Heavyweight · WBA Super, IBF, WBO and The Ring

  18. Tyson Fury beats Wladimir Klitschko via unanimous decision 12/12

    Heavyweight · WBA Super, IBF, WBO and The RingNew Ring champion

    Source: Tyson Fury beats Wladimir Klitschko to become world champion(opens in a new tab), BBC Sport, Ben Dirs,

    1 more reference

  19. 2018

  20. Tyson Fury’s reign as The Ring heavyweight world champion ends

    Heavyweight · The Ring

  1. 2020

  2. Tyson Fury beats Deontay Wilder via knockout 7/12

    Heavyweight · WBC and The RingNew Ring champion

  3. 2021

  4. Tyson Fury beats Deontay Wilder via knockout 11/12

    Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  5. 2022

  6. Tyson Fury beats Dillian Whyte via technical knockout 6/12

    Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  7. Tyson Fury’s reign as The Ring heavyweight world champion ends

    Heavyweight · The Ring

  8. Oleksandr Usyk beats Anthony Joshua via split decision 12/12

    Heavyweight · WBA Super, IBF, WBO and The RingNew Ring champion

  9. 2023

  10. Oleksandr Usyk beats Daniel Dubois via knockout 9/12

    Heavyweight · WBA Super, IBF, WBO and The Ring

  11. 2024

  12. Oleksandr Usyk beats Tyson Fury via split decision 12/12

    Heavyweight · WBA Super, WBC, IBF, WBO and The Ring

  13. Oleksandr Usyk beats Tyson Fury via unanimous decision 12/12

    Heavyweight · WBA Super, WBC, WBO and The Ring

  14. 2025

  15. Oleksandr Usyk beats Daniel Dubois via knockout 5/12

    Heavyweight · WBA Super, WBC, IBF, WBO and The Ring

    Source: Usyk knocks out Dubois to become undisputed heavyweight champion(opens in a new tab), ESPN, Nick Parkinson,

  16. 2026

  17. Oleksandr Usyk beats Rico Verhoeven via technical knockout 11/12

    Heavyweight · WBA Super, WBC and The Ring

    Source: Usyk vs Rico LIVE: Result, scorecards, stats & reaction as Oleksandr Usyk stops Rico Verhoeven(opens in a new tab), BBC Sport, Charlotte Coates; Josh Lobley; Kal Sajad,