Open Boxing

The Ring light heavyweight world title

Covers world title bouts since 1923. Current champion: Dmitry Bivol, since 22nd Feb 2025.

World title bouts
122
Champions
31
Longest reign (Archie Moore, 1952–1962)
9 years, 4 months
Most successful defences in one reign (Bob Foster, 1968–1974)
13

Current champion

Dmitry BivolSince 22nd Feb 2025 · 1 year, 8 months · 1 successful defence

Upcoming world title bouts

  1. Dmitry Bivol v Callum Smith

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

Reigns and world title bouts

Feb 2022 – Feb 2027

The Ring
BeterbievDmitry Bivol
AprJulOct2023AprJulOct2024AprJulOct2025AprJulOct2026AprJulOct2027
1930194019501960197019801990200020102020

World title boutScheduled

Reigns by length

  1. 1Archie MooreThe Ring1952–19629 years, 4 months · 9 successful defences
  2. 2Gus LesnevichThe Ring1941–19486 years, 11 months · 4 successful defences
  3. 3Bob FosterThe Ring1968–19746 years, 3 months · 13 successful defences
  4. 4Maxie RosenbloomThe Ring1930–19344 years, 4 months · 6 successful defences
  5. 5John Henry LewisThe Ring1935–19393 years, 7 months · 5 successful defences
  6. 6Joey MaximThe Ring1950–19522 years, 10 months · 2 successful defences
  7. 7Michael SpinksThe Ring1983–19852 years, 6 months · 4 successful defences
  8. 8Adonis StevensonThe Ring2013–20152 years, 5 months · 6 successful defences
  9. 9Mike McTigueThe Ring1923–19252 years, 2 months · 0 successful defences
  10. 10Matthew Saad MuhammadThe Ring1979–19812 years · 7 successful defences
  11. 11Roy Jones JrThe Ring2002–20042 years · 2 successful defences
  12. 12Bernard HopkinsThe Ring2006–20081 year, 10 months · 1 successful defence
  13. 13Willie PastranoThe Ring1963–19651 year, 9 months · 2 successful defences
  14. 14Billy ConnThe Ring1939–19411 year, 9 months · 3 successful defences
  15. 15Tommy LoughranThe Ring1927–19291 year, 9 months · 6 successful defences
  16. 16Dmitry BivolThe Ring2025–present1 year, 8 months · 1 successful defence
  17. 17Jose TorresThe Ring1965–19661 year, 8 months · 3 successful defences
  18. 18Freddie MillsThe Ring1948–19501 year, 5 months · 0 successful defences
  19. 19Dick TigerThe Ring1966–19681 year, 5 months · 2 successful defences
  20. 20Dwight Muhammad QawiThe Ring1981–19831 year, 2 months · 3 successful defences
  21. 21Paul BerlenbachThe Ring1925–19261 year, 1 month · 4 successful defences
  22. 22Chad DawsonThe Ring2012–20131 year, 1 month · 0 successful defences
  23. 23Harold JohnsonThe Ring1962–19631 year · 1 successful defence
  24. 24Jack DelaneyThe Ring1926–19271 year · 1 successful defence
  25. 25Antonio TarverThe Ring2005–200611 months · 1 successful defence
  26. 26Bob OlinThe Ring1934–193511 months · 0 successful defences
  27. 27Bernard HopkinsThe Ring2011–201211 months · 0 successful defences
  28. 28Joe CalzagheThe Ring2008–20099 months · 1 successful defence
  29. 29Jean PascalThe Ring2010–20119 months · 0 successful defences
  30. 30Antonio TarverThe Ring2004–20047 months · 0 successful defences
  31. 31Glen JohnsonThe Ring2004–20056 months · 0 successful defences
  32. 32Artur BeterbievThe Ring2024–20254 months · 0 successful defences
  33. 33Andre WardThe Ring2017–20173 months · 0 successful defences

Timeline of world title events

  1. 1923

  2. Mike McTigue becomes The Ring light heavyweight world champion

    Light Heavyweight · The RingNew champion

  3. 1925

  4. Mickey Walker beats Mike McTigue via newspaper decision 12/12

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  5. Mike McTigue’s reign as The Ring light heavyweight world champion ends

    Light Heavyweight · The Ring

    Paul Berlenbach becomes The Ring light heavyweight world champion

    Light Heavyweight · The RingNew champion

  6. Paul Berlenbach beats Mike McTigue via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  7. Paul Berlenbach v Tony Marullo ends in a no contest

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  8. Paul Berlenbach beats Jimmy Slattery via knockout 11/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  9. Paul Berlenbach beats Jack Delaney via points decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  10. 1926

  11. Paul Berlenbach beats Young Stribling via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  12. Jack Delaney beats Paul Berlenbach via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The RingNew Ring champion

  13. Jack Delaney beats Jamaica Kid via knockout 3/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  14. 1927

  15. Jack Delaney’s reign as The Ring light heavyweight world champion ends

    Light Heavyweight · The Ring

  16. Tommy Loughran becomes The Ring light heavyweight world champion

    Light Heavyweight · The RingNew champion

  17. Tommy Loughran beats Jimmy Slattery via majority decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  18. 1928

  19. Tommy Loughran beats Leo Lomski via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  20. Tommy Loughran beats Pete Latzo via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  21. Tommy Loughran beats Pete Latzo via unanimous decision 10/10

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  22. 1929

  23. Tommy Loughran beats Mickey Walker via split decision 10/10

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  24. Tommy Loughran beats Jim Braddock via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  1. 1930

  2. Maxie Rosenbloom beats Jimmy Slattery via split decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC and The RingNew Ring champion

  3. Maxie Rosenbloom beats Abie Bain via knockout 11/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC and The Ring

  4. 1931

  5. Maxie Rosenbloom beats Jimmy Slattery via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC and The Ring

  6. 1932

  7. Maxie Rosenbloom beats Lou Scozza via majority decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC and The Ring

  8. 1933

  9. Maxie Rosenbloom beats Adolf Heuser via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC and The Ring

  10. Maxie Rosenbloom beats Bob Godwin via knockout 4/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  11. Maxie Rosenbloom beats Mickey Walker via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  12. 1934

  13. Maxie Rosenbloom and Joe Knight draw via points decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  14. Bob Olin beats Maxie Rosenbloom via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The RingNew Ring champion

  15. 1935

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

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The RingNew Ring champion

  17. 1936

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

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

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

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  20. 1937

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

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  22. 1938

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

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

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

    Light Heavyweight · WBA and The Ring

  25. 1939

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

    Light Heavyweight · The Ring

  27. Billy Conn beats Melio Bettina via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The RingNew Ring champion

  28. Billy Conn beats Melio Bettina via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  29. Billy Conn beats Gus Lesnevich via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  1. 1940

  2. Billy Conn beats Gus Lesnevich via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  3. 1941

  4. Billy Conn’s reign as The Ring light heavyweight world champion ends

    Light Heavyweight · The Ring

  5. Gus Lesnevich beats Tami Mauriello via split decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The RingNew Ring champion

  6. Gus Lesnevich beats Tami Mauriello via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  7. 1946

  8. Gus Lesnevich beats Freddie Mills via knockout 10/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  9. 1947

  10. Gus Lesnevich beats Billy Fox via knockout 10/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  11. 1948

  12. Gus Lesnevich beats Billy Fox via knockout 1/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  13. Freddie Mills beats Gus Lesnevich via points decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The RingNew Ring champion

  1. 1950

  2. Joey Maxim beats Freddie Mills via knockout 10/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The RingNew Ring champion

  3. 1951

  4. Joey Maxim beats Bob Murphy via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  5. 1952

  6. Joey Maxim beats Sugar Ray Robinson via corner retirement 13/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  7. Archie Moore beats Joey Maxim via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The RingNew Ring champion

  8. 1953

  9. Archie Moore beats Joey Maxim via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  10. 1954

  11. Archie Moore beats Joey Maxim via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  12. Archie Moore beats Harold Johnson via knockout 14/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  13. 1955

  14. Archie Moore beats Bobo Olson via knockout 3/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  15. 1956

  16. Archie Moore beats Yolande Pompey via knockout 10/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  17. 1957

  18. Archie Moore beats Tony Anthony via knockout 7/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  19. 1958

  20. Archie Moore beats Yvon Durelle via knockout 11/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  21. 1959

  22. Archie Moore beats Yvon Durelle via knockout 3/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  1. 1961

  2. Archie Moore beats Giulio Rinaldi via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC and The Ring

  3. 1962

  4. Harold Johnson beats Doug Jones via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The RingNew Ring champion

  5. Harold Johnson beats Gustav Scholz via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · NYSAC, WBA and The Ring

  6. 1963

  7. Willie Pastrano beats Harold Johnson via split decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The RingNew Ring champion

  8. 1964

  9. Willie Pastrano beats Gregorio Peralta via corner retirement 5/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  10. Willie Pastrano beats Terry Downes via knockout 11/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  11. 1965

  12. Jose Torres beats Willie Pastrano via knockout 9/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The RingNew Ring champion

  13. 1966

  14. Jose Torres beats Wayne Thornton via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  15. Jose Torres beats Eddie Cotton via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  16. Jose Torres beats Chic Calderwood via knockout 2/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  17. Dick Tiger beats Jose Torres via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The RingNew Ring champion

  18. 1967

  19. Dick Tiger beats Jose Torres via split decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  20. Dick Tiger beats Roger Rouse via knockout 12/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  21. 1968

  22. Bob Foster beats Dick Tiger via knockout 4/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The RingNew Ring champion

  23. 1969

  24. Bob Foster beats Frank DePaula via knockout 1/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  25. Bob Foster beats Andy Kendall via knockout 4/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  1. 1970

  2. Bob Foster beats Roger Rouse via corner retirement 3/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  3. Bob Foster beats Mark Tessman via knockout 10/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  4. 1971

  5. Bob Foster beats Hal Carroll via knockout 4/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  6. Bob Foster beats Ray Anderson via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  7. Bob Foster beats Tommy Hicks via knockout 8/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  8. Bob Foster beats Brian Kelly via knockout 3/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  9. 1972

  10. Bob Foster beats Vicente Rondon via knockout 2/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  11. Bob Foster beats Mike Quarry via knockout 4/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  12. Bob Foster beats Chris Finnegan via knockout 14/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  13. 1973

  14. Bob Foster beats Pierre Fourie via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  15. Bob Foster beats Pierre Fourie via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  16. 1974

  17. Bob Foster and Jorge Ahumada draw via split decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  18. Bob Foster’s reign as The Ring light heavyweight world champion ends

    Light Heavyweight · The Ring

  19. 1979

  20. Matthew Saad Muhammad becomes The Ring light heavyweight world champion

    Light Heavyweight · The RingNew champion

  1. 1980

  2. Matthew Saad Muhammad beats John Conteh via knockout 4/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  3. Matthew Saad Muhammad beats Louis Pergaud via knockout 5/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  4. Matthew Saad Muhammad beats Yaqui Lopez via knockout 14/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  5. Matthew Saad Muhammad beats Lottie Mwale via knockout 4/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  6. 1981

  7. Matthew Saad Muhammad beats Vonzell Johnson via knockout 11/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  8. Matthew Saad Muhammad beats Murray Sutherland via knockout 9/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  9. Matthew Saad Muhammad beats Jerry Martin via knockout 11/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  10. Dwight Muhammad Qawi beats Matthew Saad Muhammad via knockout 10/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The RingNew Ring champion

  11. 1982

  12. Dwight Muhammad Qawi beats Jerry Martin via knockout 6/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  13. Dwight Muhammad Qawi beats Matthew Saad Muhammad via knockout 6/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  14. Dwight Muhammad Qawi beats Eddie Davis via knockout 11/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  15. 1983

  16. Michael Spinks beats Dwight Muhammad Qawi via unanimous decision 15/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The RingNew Ring champion

  17. Michael Spinks beats Oscar Rivadeneyra via knockout 10/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC and The Ring

  18. 1984

  19. Michael Spinks beats Eddie Davis via unanimous decision 12/12

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC, IBF and The Ring

  20. 1985

  21. Michael Spinks beats David Sears via knockout 3/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC, IBF and The Ring

  22. Michael Spinks beats Jim MacDonald via knockout 8/15

    Light Heavyweight · WBA, WBC, IBF and The Ring

  23. Michael Spinks’s reign as The Ring light heavyweight world champion ends

    Light Heavyweight · The Ring

  1. 2002

  2. Roy Jones Jr beats Glen Kelly via knockout 7/12

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

  3. Roy Jones Jr becomes The Ring light heavyweight world champion

    Light Heavyweight · The RingNew champion

  4. Roy Jones Jr beats Clinton Woods via knockout 6/12

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

  5. 2003

  6. Roy Jones Jr beats Antonio Tarver via majority decision 12/12

    Light Heavyweight · WBA Super, WBC and The Ring

  7. 2004

  8. Antonio Tarver beats Roy Jones Jr via knockout 2/12

    Light Heavyweight · WBA Super, WBC and The RingNew Ring champion

  9. Glen Johnson beats Antonio Tarver via split decision 12/12

    Light Heavyweight · The RingNew champion

  10. 2005

  11. Antonio Tarver beats Glen Johnson via unanimous decision 12/12

    Light Heavyweight · The RingNew champion

  12. Antonio Tarver beats Roy Jones Jr via unanimous decision 12/12

    Light Heavyweight · The Ring

  13. 2006

  14. Bernard Hopkins beats Antonio Tarver via unanimous decision 12/12

    Light Heavyweight · The RingNew champion

  15. 2007

  16. Bernard Hopkins beats Winky Wright via unanimous decision 12/12

    Light Heavyweight · The Ring

  17. 2008

  18. Joe Calzaghe beats Bernard Hopkins via split decision 12/12

    Light Heavyweight · The RingNew champion

  19. Joe Calzaghe beats Roy Jones Jr via unanimous decision 12/12

    Light Heavyweight · The Ring

  20. 2009

  21. Joe Calzaghe’s reign as The Ring light heavyweight world champion ends

    Light Heavyweight · The Ring

  1. 2010

  2. Jean Pascal beats Chad Dawson via technical decision 11/12

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The RingNew Ring champion

  3. Jean Pascal and Bernard Hopkins draw via majority decision 12/12

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  4. 2011

  5. Bernard Hopkins beats Jean Pascal via unanimous decision 12/12

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The RingNew Ring champion

  6. Bernard Hopkins v Chad Dawson ends in a no contest

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  7. 2012

  8. Chad Dawson beats Bernard Hopkins via majority decision 12/12

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The RingNew Ring champion

  9. 2013

  10. Adonis Stevenson beats Chad Dawson via knockout 1/12

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The RingNew Ring champion

  11. Adonis Stevenson beats Tavoris Cloud via corner retirement 7/12

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  12. Adonis Stevenson beats Tony Bellew via knockout 6/12

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  13. 2014

  14. Adonis Stevenson beats Andrzej Fonfara via unanimous decision 12/12

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  15. Adonis Stevenson beats Dmitry Sukhotskiy via knockout 5/12

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  16. 2015

  17. Adonis Stevenson beats Sakio Bika via unanimous decision 12/12

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  18. Adonis Stevenson beats Tommy Karpency via knockout 3/12

    Light Heavyweight · WBC and The Ring

  19. Adonis Stevenson’s reign as The Ring light heavyweight world champion ends

    Light Heavyweight · The Ring

  20. 2017

  21. Andre Ward beats Sergey Kovalev via knockout 8/12

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

  22. Andre Ward’s reign as The Ring light heavyweight world champion ends

    Light Heavyweight · The Ring

  1. 2024

  2. Artur Beterbiev beats Dmitry Bivol via majority decision 12/12

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

  3. 2025

  4. Dmitry Bivol beats Artur Beterbiev via majority decision 12/12

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

  5. 2026

  6. Dmitry Bivol beats Michael Eifert via unanimous decision 12/12

    Light Heavyweight · WBA Super, IBF and The Ring

    Source: Bivol ends layoff, dominates Eifert in light heavyweight title defense(opens in a new tab), The Ring, Nate Pardo-Marrero,

  7. Dmitry Bivol v Callum Smith

    Light Heavyweight · WBA Super, IBF, WBO and The RingScheduled

    Source: Bivol to defend light-heavyweight titles against Britain's Smith in Russia(opens in a new tab), Dawn, Reuters,