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Light heavyweight

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Light-Heavyweight)

Light heavyweight is a weight class in combat sports.

Boxing

[edit]

Professional

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In professional boxing, the division is above 168 pounds (76 kg) and up to 175 pounds (79 kg), falling between super middleweight and cruiserweight.

The light heavyweight class has produced some of boxing's greatest champions: Bernard Hopkins (who, upon becoming champion, broke the record for oldest man to win a world title), Tommy Loughran, Billy Conn, Joey Maxim, Archie Moore, Michael Moorer, Bob Foster, Ann Wolfe, Michael Spinks, Dariusz Michalczewski, Roy Jones Jr., Joe Calzaghe, Sergey Kovalev, Zsolt Erdei, Dmitry Bivol, & Artur Beterbiev.

Many light heavyweight champions unsuccessfully challenged for the heavyweight crown until Michael Spinks became the first reigning light heavyweight champion to win the heavyweight championship. Bob Fitzsimmons captured the light heavyweight championship after losing his heavyweight championship. Two all-time great heavyweight champions, Ezzard Charles and Floyd Patterson, started out as light heavyweights. Charles defeated Archie Moore and Joey Maxim several times in non-title bouts before becoming heavyweight champion and Patterson lost an eight-round decision to Joey Maxim before becoming heavyweight champion himself. Evander Holyfield successfully moved up from the light heavyweight division to the cruiserweight division and eventually the heavyweight division and became undisputed champion of the latter two.

Current world champions

[edit]
Sanctioning body Reign began Champion Record Defenses
WBA February 22, 2025 Dmitry Bivol 25–1 (12 KO) 1
WBC April 7, 2025 David Benavidez 31–0 (25 KO) 1
IBF February 22, 2025 Dmitry Bivol 25–1 (12 KO) 1
WBO February 22, 2025 Dmitry Bivol 25–1 (12 KO) 0

Current world rankings

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The Ring
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As of July 2, 2026.[1]

Keys:

 C  Current The Ring world champion
Rank Name Record (W–L–D) Title(s)
C Dmitry Bivol 25–1 (12 KO) WBA, IBF, WBO
1 David Benavidez 32–0 (26 KO) WBC, WBA (Regular)
2 Calum Smith 31–2 (22 KO) WBO (Interim)
3 Anthony Yarde 27–4 (24 KO)
4 Imam Khataev 12–1 (11 KO)
5 Joshua Buatsi 20–1 (13 KO)
6 Willy Hutchinson 20–2 (14 KO)
7 Najee Lopez 16–0 (13 KO)
8 Lerrone Richards 19–2 (4 KO)
9 Albert Ramirez 23–0 (19 KO) WBA (Interim)
10 Ben Whittaker 12–0–1 (9 KO)
BoxRec
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As of 2 July 2026[2]

Rank Name Record (W–L–D) Title(s)
1 Dmitry Bivol 25–1 (12 KO) WBA, IBF, WBO, The Ring
2 Joshua Buatsi 20–1 (13 KO)
3 Imam Khataev 12–1 (11 KO)
4 Ali Izmailov 15–0 (13 KO)
5 Willy Hutchinson 20–2 (14 KO)
6 Najee Lopez 16–0 (13 KO)
7 Albert Ramirez 23–0 (19 KO) WBA (Interim)
8 Umar Dzambekov 14–0 (10 KO)
9 Atif Oberlton 16–0 (14 KO)
10 Ben Whittaker 12–0–1 (9 KO)

Longest reigning world light heavyweight champions

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Below is a list of longest reigning light heavyweight champions in boxing measured by the individual's longest reign. Career total time as champion (for multiple time champions) does not apply.

NameTitle reignTitle recognitionSuccessful defensesBeaten opponentsFights
1.Archie Moore9 years, 4 months, 24 daysNYSAC, NBA97[3][4]
2.Dariusz Michalczewski9 years, 1 months, 8 daysIBF, WBA, WBO2320[5]
3.Artur Beterbiev7 years, 3 months, 1 week and 5 daysIBF, WBC, WBO, WBA99[6]
4.Gus Lesnevich7 years, 2 months, 2 daysNYSAC, NBA53[7]
5.Dmitry Bivol7 years, 3 weeks and 3 daysIBF, WBC, WBO, WBA1212[8]
6.Bob Foster6 years, 0 months, 23 daysWBC, WBA1413[9]
7.Zsolt Erdei5 years, 9 months, 27 daysWBO1110[10]
8.Adonis Stevenson5 years, 5 months, 24 daysWBC99[11]
9.Charles Williams5 years, 4 months, 21 daysIBF88[12]
10.Roy Jones Jr.5 years, 2 months, 25 daysWBC, IBF, WBA (Super)1111[13]
11.Virgil Hill4 years, 9 months, 15 daysWBA1010[14]
12.Maxie Rosenbloom4 years, 4 months, 22 daysNYSAC, NBA76[15]
13.Michael Spinks4 years, 2 months, 3 daysIBF, WBA, WBC1010[16]
14.Battling Levinsky3 years, 11 months, 19 daysWorld11[17][18]
15.Victor Galindez3 years, 9 months, 8 daysWBA107[19][20]
  Active title reign
  Reign has ended

[21][22][23]

Amateur

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In amateur boxing, light heavyweight is a weight division above 165 pounds (75 kg) and up to 178 pounds (81 kg), falling between middleweight and heavyweight.

Olympic champions

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Kickboxing

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  • In kickboxing, a light heavyweight fighter generally weighs between 77 kg (171 lb) and 95 kg (210 lb).
  • In International Kickboxing Federation (IKF), a light heavyweight division is 172.1 – 179 lb (78.3 – 81.4 kg).
  • In Glory promotion, a light heavyweight division is up to 95 kg (209 lb).[24]
  • In Bellator Kickboxing promotion, a light heavyweight division is up to 95 kg (209 lb).
  • In ONE Championship, the light heavyweight division is up to 102.1 kg (225 lb).

Bare-knuckle boxing

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The limit of light heavyweight generally differs among promotions in bare-knuckle boxing:

  • In Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, the light heavyweight division has an upper limit of 185 lb (84 kg).
  • In BKB™, the light heavyweight division has an upper limit of 95 kg (209 lb).

Mixed martial arts

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In MMA, the light heavyweight division is from 186 lb (84 kg) to 205 lb (93 kg).

References

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  1. ↑ "The Ring ratings: light heavyweight". Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  2. ↑ "BoxRec ratings: light heavyweight, active". Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  3. ↑ "Professional boxing record: Archie Moore". Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  4. ↑ "Archie Moore, p. 612" (pdf). The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall Of Fame Official Record Book. International Boxing Hall Of Fame. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  5. ↑ "Professional boxing record: Dariusz Michalczewski". Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  6. ↑ "Professional boxing record: Artur Beterbiev". Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  7. ↑ "Please login".
  8. ↑ "Professional boxing record: Dmitry Bivol". Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  9. ↑ "Professional boxing record: Bob Foster". Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  10. ↑ "Professional boxing record: Zsolt Erdei". Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  11. ↑ "Professional boxing record: Adonis Stevenson". Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  12. ↑ "Professional boxing record: Charles Williams". Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  13. ↑ "Professional boxing record: Roy Jones Jr". Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  14. ↑ "Professional boxing record: Virgil Hill". Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  15. ↑ "Please login".
  16. ↑ "Professional boxing record: Michael Spinks". Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  17. ↑ "Professional boxing record: Battling Levinsky". Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  18. ↑ "Battling Levinsky, p. 184" (pdf). The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall Of Fame Official Record Book. International Boxing Hall Of Fame. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  19. ↑ "Professional boxing record: Victor Galindez". Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  20. ↑ "Victor Galindez, p. 468" (pdf). The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall Of Fame Official Record Book. International Boxing Hall Of Fame. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  21. ↑ BoxRec Light Heavyweight Ratings Retrieved on 27 December 2012.
  22. ↑ BoxRec WBC Light Heavyweight Champion Retrieved on 27 December 2012.
  23. ↑ BoxRec Light Heavyweight Division Retrieved on 27 December 2012.
  24. ↑ Official Glory Ranking Archived 2014-01-10 at the Wayback Machine
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