List of heavyweight Boxing champions - wikipedia List of heavyweight Boxing champions This is a chronological list of world heavyweight boxing champions since the introduction of the Marquess of Queensberry rules in about 1884. It does not include fights fought under Jack Broughton 's rules or the London Prize Ring Rules. Contents 1 Championship recognition 1.1 1884 -- 1910 1.2 Sanctioning organizations : 1910 -- present 2 List of champions 2.1 Footnotes 3 Current status of prominent championship titles 4 List of combined reigns 5 By nationality 6 See also 7 Further reading 8 References Championship recognition All champions ( updated Dec. 2016 ) 1884 -- 1910 Champions were recognized by public acclamation. A champion in that era was a fighter who had a notable win over another fighter and kept winning afterward. Retirements or disputed results could lead to a championship being split among several men for periods of time. With only minor exceptions, the heavyweight division remained free from dual title - holders until the 1960s. For an early example, see the 1896 World Heavyweight Championship. Sanctioning organizations : 1910 -- present Gradually, the role of recognizing champions in the division evolved into a more formal affair, with public acclamation being supplemented ( or in some cases, contradicted ) by recognition by one or more athletic commissions, sanctioning organizations, or a combination of them. The most notable examples with respect to the heavyweight division have included : The International Boxing Union ( IBU ), which was formed in Paris in 1910. The organization would become the European Boxing Union in 1946, but would recognize `` world '' champions in various divisions until it subordinated itself in that area to the World Boxing Council. The New York State Athletic Commission ( NYSAC ). A governmental entity initially formed for the purpose of regulating boxing in the State of New York, thanks to New York 's place as the epicenter of boxing from the 1930s through 1950s, the NYSAC expanded its reach to sanctioning championship bouts. This practice continued until, like the IBU, the NYSAC became a member of the World Boxing Council ( WBC ). The National Boxing Association ( NBA ) was organized in 1921. In 1962, the organization was renamed the World Boxing Association ( WBA ). The World Boxing Council ( WBC ) was organized in 1963. The International Boxing Federation ( IBF ), which was founded in 1983 by the members of the United States Boxing Association after the USBA withdrew from membership in the WBA. The World Boxing Organization ( WBO ), which was founded in 1989 by disgruntled members of the World Boxing Council. Other bodies also recognize world champions, with varying degrees of legitimacy bestowed upon such recognition by the public at large. Current examples of such groups include the International Boxing Council, International Boxing Organization, World Boxing Federation and World Boxing Union. List of champions Champion Nationality Recognition Reign Began Reign Ended Notes John L. Sullivan United States Universal August 29, 1885 September 7, 1892, James J. Corbett United States Universal September 7, 1892 March 17, 1897 Bob Fitzsimmons United Kingdom Universal March 17, 1897 June 9, 1899 James J. Jeffries United States Universal June 9, 1899 May 13, 1905,, Marvin Hart United States Universal July 3, 1905 February 23, 1906,, Tommy Burns Canada Universal February 23, 1906 December 26, 1908 Jack Johnson United States Universal December 26, 1908 April 5, 1915 Jess Willard United States Universal April 5, 1915 July 4, 1919 Jack Dempsey United States Universal July 4, 1919 July 2, 1921 Jack Dempsey United States NBA July 2, 1921 July 24, 1922 Jack Dempsey United States NBA and NYSAC July 24, 1922 September 23, 1926 Gene Tunney United States NBA and NYSAC September 23, 1926 July 31, 1928 Max Schmeling Germany NBA and NYSAC June 12, 1930 January 7, 1931, Max Schmeling Germany IBU January 7, 1931 June 21, 1932 Jack Sharkey United States NBA and NYSAC June 21, 1932 June 29, 1933 Primo Carnera Italy NBA and NYSAC, IBU June 29, 1933 June 14, 1934 Max Baer United States NBA and NYSAC June 14, 1934 June 13, 1935 James J. Braddock United States NBA and NYSAC June 13, 1935 June 22, 1937 Joe Louis United States NBA and NYSAC June 22, 1937 March 1, 1949 Longest reign Ezzard Charles United States NBA June 22, 1949 September 27, 1950, Lee Savold United States IBU June 6, 1950 June 16, 1951, Ezzard Charles United States NBA and NYSAC September 27, 1950 June 16, 1951, Ezzard Charles United States NBA, NYSAC and IBU June 16, 1951 July 18, 1951 Jersey Joe Walcott United States NBA and NYSAC July 18, 1951 September 23, 1952 Rocky Marciano United States NBA and NYSAC September 23, 1952 April 27, 1956 Floyd Patterson United States NBA and NYSAC November 30, 1956 June 26, 1959, Ingemar Johansson Sweden NBA and NYSAC June 26, 1959 June 20, 1960 Floyd Patterson ( Second reign ) United States NBA and NYSAC June 20, 1960 September 25, 1962 Sonny Liston United States NYSAC, WBA and WBC September 25, 1962 February 25, 1964 Cassius Clay United States NYSAC, WBA and WBC February 25, 1964 June 19, 1964 Muhammad Ali United States NYSAC and WBC June 19, 1964 February 6, 1967 Ernie Terrell United States WBA March 5, 1965 February 6, 1967 Muhammad Ali United States NYSAC, WBA and WBC February 6, 1967 April 29, 1967 Unified NYSAC, WBA and WBC titles. Joe Frazier United States NYSAC March 4, 1968 February 16, 1970 Jimmy Ellis United States WBA April 27, 1968 February 16, 1970, Joe Frazier United States WBA and WBC February 16, 1970 January 22, 1973 Unified WBA and WBC titles. George Foreman United States WBA and WBC January 22, 1973 October 30, 1974 Muhammad Ali ( Second reign ) United States WBA and WBC October 30, 1974 February 15, 1978 Leon Spinks United States WBA and WBC February 15, 1978 March 18, 1978 Leon Spinks United States WBA March 18, 1978 September 15, 1978 Ken Norton United States WBC March 18, 1978 June 9, 1978 Larry Holmes United States WBC June 9, 1978 December 11, 1983 Muhammad Ali ( Third reign ) United States WBA September 15, 1978 April 27, 1979 John Tate United States WBA October 20, 1979 March 31, 1980 Mike Weaver United States WBA March 31, 1980 December 10, 1982 Michael Dokes United States WBA December 10, 1982 September 23, 1983 Gerrie Coetzee South Africa WBA September 23, 1983 December 1, 1984 Larry Holmes United States IBF December 11, 1983 September 21, 1985 Tim Witherspoon United States WBC March 9, 1984 August 31, 1984 Pinklon Thomas United States WBC August 31, 1984 March 22, 1985 Greg Page United States WBA December 1, 1984 April 29, 1985 Tony Tubbs United States WBA April 29, 1985 January 17, 1986 Michael Spinks United States IBF September 21, 1985 February 19, 1987 Tim Witherspoon ( Second reign ) United States WBA January 17, 1986 December 12, 1986 Trevor Berbick Canada WBC March 22, 1985 November 22, 1986 Mike Tyson United States WBC November 22, 1986 March 7, 1987 James `` Bonecrusher '' Smith United States WBA December 12, 1986 March 7, 1987 Mike Tyson United States WBA and WBC March 7, 1987 August 1, 1987 Unified WBA and WBC titles. Tony Tucker United States IBF May 30, 1987 August 1, 1987 Mike Tyson United States IBF, WBA and WBC August 1, 1987 February 11, 1990 Unified IBF, WBA and WBC titles. Francesco Damiani Italy WBO May 6, 1989 January 11, 1991 James `` Buster '' Douglas United States IBF, WBA and WBC February 11, 1990 October 25, 1990 Evander Holyfield United States IBF, WBA and WBC October 25, 1990 November 13, 1992 Ray Mercer United States WBO January 11, 1991 December 24, 1991 Michael Moorer United States WBO May 15, 1992 February 3, 1993, Riddick Bowe United States IBF, WBA and WBC November 13, 1992 December 14, 1992 Riddick Bowe United States IBF and WBA December 14, 1992 November 6, 1993 Lennox Lewis United Kingdom WBC December 14, 1992 September 24, 1994 Tommy Morrison United States WBO June 7, 1993 October 29, 1993 Michael Bentt United States WBO October 29, 1993 March 19, 1994 Evander Holyfield ( Second reign ) United States IBF and WBA November 6, 1993 April 22, 1994 Herbie Hide United Kingdom WBO March 19, 1994 March 11, 1995 Michael Moorer ( Second reign ) United States IBF and WBA April 22, 1994 November 5, 1994 Oliver McCall United States WBC September 24, 1994 September 2, 1995 George Foreman ( Second reign ) United States IBF and WBA November 5, 1994 March 4, 1995 George Foreman United States IBF March 4, 1995 June 28, 1995 Riddick Bowe ( Second reign ) United States WBO March 11, 1995 May 1, 1996 Bruce Seldon United States WBA April 8, 1995 September 7, 1996 Frank Bruno United Kingdom WBC September 2, 1995 March 16, 1996 Mike Tyson ( Second reign ) United States WBC March 16, 1996 September 7, 1996 Michael Moorer ( Third reign ) United States IBF June 22, 1996 November 8, 1997, Henry Akinwande United Kingdom WBO June 29, 1996 February 17, 1997, Mike Tyson United States WBA and WBC September 7, 1996 September 24, 1996 Mike Tyson United States WBA September 24, 1996 November 9, 1996 Evander Holyfield ( Third reign ) United States WBA November 9, 1996 November 8, 1997 Lennox Lewis ( Second reign ) United Kingdom WBC February 7, 1997 November 13, 1999 Herbie Hide ( Second reign ) United Kingdom WBO June 28, 1997 June 26, 1999 Evander Holyfield United States IBF and WBA November 8, 1997 November 13, 1999 Unified IBF and WBA titles. Vitali Klitschko Ukraine WBO June 26, 1999 April 1, 2000 Lennox Lewis United Kingdom IBF, WBA and WBC November 13, 1999 April 29, 2000 Unified IBF, WBA and WBC titles. Chris Byrd United States WBO April 1, 2000 October 14, 2000 Lennox Lewis United Kingdom IBF and WBC April 29, 2000 April 22, 2001 Evander Holyfield ( Fourth reign ) United States WBA August 12, 2000 March 3, 2001 Wladimir Klitschko Ukraine WBO October 14, 2000 March 8, 2003 John Ruiz United States WBA March 3, 2001 March 1, 2003 Hasim Rahman United States IBF and WBC April 22, 2001 November 17, 2001 Lennox Lewis ( Third reign ) United Kingdom IBF and WBC November 17, 2001 September 5, 2002 Lennox Lewis United Kingdom WBC September 5, 2002 February 6, 2004 Chris Byrd ( Second reign ) United States IBF December 14, 2002 April 22, 2006 Roy Jones, Jr. United States WBA March 1, 2003 February 20, 2004 Corrie Sanders South Africa WBO March 8, 2003 October 9, 2003 John Ruiz ( Second reign ) United States WBA February 20, 2004 December 17, 2005 Lamon Brewster United States WBO April 10, 2004 April 1, 2006 Vitali Klitschko ( Second reign ) Ukraine WBC April 24, 2004 November 9, 2005 Hasim Rahman ( Second reign ) United States WBC November 9, 2005 August 12, 2006 Nikolai Valuev Russia WBA December 17, 2005 April 14, 2007 Siarhei Liakhovich Belarus WBO April 1, 2006 November 4, 2006 Wladimir Klitschko ( Second reign ) Ukraine IBF April 22, 2006 February 23, 2008 Oleg Maskaev Russia WBC August 12, 2006 March 8, 2008 Shannon Briggs United States WBO November 4, 2006 June 2, 2007 Ruslan Chagaev Uzbekistan WBA April 14, 2007 June 20, 2009 Sultan Ibragimov Russia WBO June 2, 2007 February 23, 2008 Wladimir Klitschko Ukraine IBF and WBO February 23, 2008 July 2, 2011 Unified IBF and WBO titles. Samuel Peter Nigeria WBC March 8, 2008 October 11, 2008 Nikolai Valuev ( Second reign ) Russia WBA August 30, 2008 November 7, 2009, Vitali Klitschko ( Third reign ) Ukraine WBC October 11, 2008 December 16, 2013 David Haye United Kingdom WBA November 7, 2009 July 2, 2011 Wladimir Klitschko Ukraine IBF, WBA `` Super '' and WBO July 2, 2011 November 28, 2015 Unified IBF, WBA and WBO titles. Alexander Povetkin Russia WBA `` Regular '' August 27, 2011 October 5, 2013, Bermane Stiverne Canada WBC May 10, 2014 January 17, 2015 Ruslan Chagaev ( Second reign ) Uzbekistan WBA `` Regular '' July 6, 2014 March 5, 2016 Deontay Wilder United States WBC January 17, 2015 Present Tyson Fury United Kingdom IBF, WBA `` Super '' and WBO November 28, 2015 December 8, 2015 Shortest reign Tyson Fury United Kingdom WBA `` Super '' and WBO December 8, 2015 October 12, 2016 Charles Martin United States IBF January 16, 2016 April 9, 2016 Lucas Browne Australia WBA `` Regular '' March 5, 2016 May 12, 2016 Anthony Joshua United Kingdom IBF April 9, 2016 April 29, 2017 Ruslan Chagaev ( Third reign ) Uzbekistan WBA `` Regular '' May 12, 2016 July 25, 2016 Joseph Parker New Zealand WBO December 10, 2016 Present Anthony Joshua United Kingdom IBF and WBA `` Super '' April 29, 2017 Present Manuel Charr Syria WBA `` Regular '' November 25, 2017 Present Footnotes Won vacant championship title. Voluntarily relinquished championship title. Championship recognition withdrawn by sanctioning organization upon his refusal to fight an opponent of the organization 's designation. In 1882, Sullivan defeated Paddy Ryan to win the bare - knuckle championship of America. A lack of legitimate challengers elsewhere gradually resulted in Sullivan earning worldwide recognition. On August 29, 1885, he defeated Dominick McCaffrey in a bout described as `` the Marquess of Queensberry glove contest for the championship of the world. '' Corbett announced his retirement from boxing in 1895, nominating Steve O'Donnell as his successor. As tradition demanded the title be won in the ring, O'Donnell was matched against Peter Maher on November 11, 1895 at Maspeth, New York. Maher won via first - round knockout, but the public generally did n't accept Maher and Maher himself expressed a desire to fight Corbett for the `` real '' title. In Maher 's next bout, Bob Fitzsimmons defeated him via first - round knockout on February 21, 1896. Fitzimmons in turn was defeated by Tom Sharkey of Dundalk on December 2, 1896, in a contest billed as for the heavyweight title. Corbett announced his return to the ring shortly thereafter, at which time the championship claims of Maher, Fitzsimmons, and Sharkey were for the most part dismissed. Sharkey 's title claims lapsed when he was defeated by Jeffries in May 1898. Jeffries announced his retirement, relinquishing the title and promoting a match between Marvin Hart and Jack Root for the championship. Jeffries returned to the ring to challenge Jack Johnson. The British National Sporting Club withdrew its recognition of Johnson as champion when he refused to defend his title against the British champion William `` Iron '' Hague. The NSC matched Hague with Canadian Sam Langford for its title on May 24, 1909. Langford won via fourth - round knockou but never pursued a championship claim. Schmeling earned championship recognition by defeating Jack Sharkey by controversial disqualification. The New York State Athletic Commission withdrew its recognition of Schmeling when he refused to grant Sharkey an immediate rematch. The NYSAC did not recognize a champion until Sharkey defeated Schmeling in 1932. In late 1934, the International Boxing Union ( IBU ) ordered Baer to defend his title against European champion Pierre Charles of Belgium. When Baer refused, the IBU sanctioned a bout between Charles and American George Godfrey for their title on October 2, 1935. Godfrey won via fifteen - round decision but never pursued a championship claim. The IBU ultimately recognized Baer 's successor James J. Braddock as champion. Two months after Louis ' retirement announcement, the International Boxing Union sanctioned a bout between British champion Bruce Woodcock and American Lee Savold for its version of the title. The bout was not staged until June 1950, however, due to delays caused by injuries suffered by Woodcock in an automobile accident. Meanwhile, Ezzard Charles defeated Jersey Joe Walcott to win the vacant National Boxing Association championship title. Savold defeated Woodcock in four rounds to win the IBU title, while Charles would gain New York State Athletic Commission recognition and wide public acclaim as champion upon defeating former champion Joe Louis in September 1950. On June 15, 1951, Joe Louis defeat Savold via sixth - round knockout, after which the IBU withdrew its recognition of Savold and proclaimed Ezzard Charles as champion. Following Marciano 's retirement, Patterson was matched against Tommy `` Hurricane '' Jackson in a championship eliminator on June 8, 1956. Winning via controversial split decision, Patterson then faced light heavyweight titleholder Archie Moore for the vacant title. Upon defeating Moore, Patterson would fight ( and defeat ) Jackson a second time on July 29, 1957. The World Boxing Association and New York State Athletic Commission withdrew their championship recognition of Clay ( by then known as Muhammad Ali ) upon agreeing to an immediate rematch against former champion Sonny Liston, in violation of WBA rules. The newly founded World Boxing Council and other sanctioning groups continued to recognize Ali as champion. The World Boxing Association, World Boxing Council, New York State Athletic Commission and others withdrew their championship recognition of Ali following his refusal to be inducted into the United States Army subsequent to his conscription. To fill its vacant championship title, the World Boxing Association organized a single - elimination tournament involving eight of their ranked contenders ( Joe Frazier, who was ranked No. 2, declined to participate ) : Oscar Bonavena, Jimmy Ellis, Leotis Martin, Karl Mildenberger, two - time former champion Floyd Patterson, Jerry Quarry, Thad Spencer, and former WBA champion Ernie Terrell. In first round matches, Ellis defeated Martin, Quarry defeated Patterson, Spencer defeated Terrell, and Bonavena defeated Mildenberger. In the semi-finals, Ellis defeated Bonavena while Quarry defeated Spencer ; and Ellis defeated Quarry for the championship title. Frazier, meanwhile, would be matched against Buster Mathis for a championship recognized by the New York State Athletic Commission together with the commissions of Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Similar `` world '' championship recognition would be bestowed upon him by the Texas Athletic Commission following a victory over Dave Zyglewicz on April 22, 1969. Frazier defeated Ellis to unify the heavyweight championship, but would not gain universal public acclaim as champion until defeating Muhammad Ali on March 8, 1971. In an unprecedented move, upon withdrawing its recognition of Leon Spinks as champion, the World Boxing Council immediately recognized Ken Norton as champion, based on an earlier victory over Jimmy Young. As a condition of being named champion, Norton was ordered to face the WBC 's new mandatory challenger, Larry Holmes within 120 days. Holmes relinquished his World Boxing Council championship and accepted championship recognition bestowed by the newly organized International Boxing Federation. Following its 1978 precedent, upon withdrawing championship recognition from Riddick Bowe, the World Boxing Council immediately awarded championship recognition to Lennox Lewis, on the basis of his victory in an October 31, 1992 `` championship eliminator '' over Donovan Ruddock. Following its withdrawal of recognition from George Foreman, the International Boxing Federation sanctioned a December 9, 1995 match between Francois Botha and Axel Schulz for its championship. Botha won the bout by split decision, but the bout result and Botha 's championship title would be vacated after Botha 's post-fight drug test revealed he had taken illegal anabolic steroids. A subsequent bout between Schulz and Michael Moorer was sanctioned for the IBF championship. Upon defeating John Ruiz, Roy Jones, Jr. simultaneously held the World Boxing Association 's heavyweight and light heavyweight titles. At his request, the WBA suspended its rule prohibiting simultaneous titleholding. It would later declare Jones its `` Champion in Recess, '' and sanctioned a December 13, 2003 bout between Ruiz and Hasim Rahman for its `` interim '' championship. Ruiz would win the bout. On February 20, 2004, Jones relinquished his heavyweight title to resume boxing as a light heavyweight, at which point Ruiz was elevated to full championship recognition. On April 30, 2005, Ruiz would be defeated by James Toney in a championship defense, but post-fight drug testing determined Toney had taken Nandrolone, an anabolic steroid. The bout 's result was subsequently changed to a `` no contest, '' whereupon the WBA reinstated Ruiz as champion. Following repeated injuries to champion Vitali Klitschko, the World Boxing Council sanctioned an August 13, 2005 bout between Hasim Rahman and Monte Barrett for its `` interim '' championship. Rahman won the bout, and when Klitschko relinquished his title three months later, the WBC elevated Rahman to full championship recognition. Following repeated injuries which prevented him from defending his title, the World Boxing Association designated Chagaev a `` Champion in Recess, '' sanctioning an August 30, 2008 bout between former champions John Ruiz and Nikolai Valuev for its `` interim '' title ; a bout won by Valuev. Upon his recovery however, Chagaev opted to face Wladimir Klitschko rather than Valuev, whereuopn the WBA withdrew championship recognition. The World Boxing Association modified its championship structure, creating a new `` Super Champion '' status to be awarded to champions who hold multiple titles simultaneously. Now subordinated to this was the status of `` World Champion, '' commonly referred to as the `` Regular '' champion. The organization then sanctioned a bout between Povetkin and former champion Ruslan Chagaev for this `` regular '' title. Povetkin 's reign as the WBA 's `` regular champion '' ended upon a loss to `` Super Champion '' Wladimir Klitschko, at which point the `` regular '' title was vacant. Browne defeated Ruslan Chagaev for the World Boxing Association 's `` regular '' championship title, but Browne subsequently tested positive for Clenbuterol, a banned substance. Following confirmation of the positive result, the WBA withdrew its recognition of Browne 's `` regular '' championship. On 29 October 1877 a fight between British fighters Tom Allen and Tompkin Gilbert at the Sadler 's Wells Theatre, London was billed as for the World heavyweight title under Marquess of Queensberry Rules. Allen won in seven rounds and defended his title claim in 1879 against Jem Stewart before retiring from the ring. Shortly after his title victory over Corbett, Fitzsimmons announced his retirement from boxing and in October 1897 he wrote a letter of resignation to leading American newspapers announcing his relinquishment of the title. Kid McCoy then issued a challenge to Fitzsimmons which, when ignored, led McCoy to claim the title. The alleged retirement of Fitzsimmons also caused Corbett to reclaim his old title as well. Sharkey then beat Corbett and McCoy within 50 days of each other at the end of 1898 and start of 1899 to end their claims of the championships. This messy situation was ended when Fitzsimmons ended his retirement, was defeated by Jeffries, who then went on to defeat Sharkey and then McCoy a few months later After defending his world title against Gus Ruhlin in 1901, Jeffries announced that he would not cross the Color line and defend against black heavyweight contenders. As a result of this, World Colored Heavyweight Championship title holder Denver Ed Martin claimed the world title by default. He then beat Sandy Ferguson in a defence of his title in Covent Garden, London but his claim lapsed after defeat to Jack Johnson in 1903. Despite being James J. Jeffries ' preferred successor, Hart 's claim was not universally popular. Philadelphia Jack O'Brien claimed the title after defeating Al Kaufman in October 1905, defended his claim by beating Fitzsimmons and by fighting a draw in a `` unification match '' with Burns. His claim ended when defeated by Burns in a rematch in May 1907 After being refused a shot at Tommy Burns, American Mike Shreck claimed the title by default and defended his claim against former champ Marvin Hart in Tonopah, Nevada on May 30. 1907. His claim ended three months later when defeated by Al Kaufmann who appears not to have inherited Shreck 's claim. Current status of prominent championship titles International Boxing Federation Anthony Joshua is the organization 's currently recognized champion, having most recently defended this title on October 28, 2017. He is scheduled to defend this title in a unification bout against current WBO titleholder Joseph Parker on March 31, 2018, in Cardiff, Wales. International Boxing Organization Anthony Joshua is the organization 's currently recognized champion, having most recently defended this title on October 28, 2017. He is scheduled to defend this title in a unification bout against current WBO titleholder Joseph Parker on March 31, 2018, in Cardiff, Wales. World Boxing Association Anthony Joshua is the organization 's currently recognized ' super ' champion, having last defended that title on October 28, 2017. He is scheduled to defend this title in a unification bout against current WBO titleholder Joseph Parker on March 31, 2018, in Cardiff, Wales. Manuel Charr is currently recognized as the organization 's ' regular ' champion, winning that distinction on November 25, 2017. The organization has ordered him to defend this title against Fres Oquendo. To date, no details of this bout have been announced. World Boxing Council Deontay Wilder is the organization 's currently recognized champion, having most recently defended this title on November 4, 2017. He is scheduled to defend this title against Luis Ortiz on March 3, 2018, in Brooklyn, New York, USA. World Boxing Organization Joseph Parker is the organization 's currently recognized champion, having most recently defended this title on September 23, 2017. He is scheduled to defend this title in a unification bout against current IBF, IBO, and ' super ' WBA titleholder Anthony Joshua on March 31, 2018, in Cardiff, Wales. List of combined reigns See also : Longest reigning heavyweight boxing champions As of February 24, 2018. This list includes only major titles, and it does not include lineal championships after 1921. Keys : Active title reign Reign has ended Name Combined reign Days as champion Number of reigns Title recognition Cumulative title wins 1. Wladimir Klitschko 12 years, 0 months, 0 days 4 382 IBF, WBA, WBO 25 2. Joe Louis 11 years, 8 months, 8 days 4 270 NYSAC, NBA 27 3. Lennox Lewis 8 years, 5 months, 13 days 3 086 WBC, IBF, WBA 16 4. Vitali Klitschko 7 years, 5 months, 28 days 2 735 WBO, WBC 15 5. Muhammad Ali 7 years, 4 months, 1 day 2 678 NYSAC, WBC, WBA 22 6. Larry Holmes 7 years, 3 months, 12 days 2 661 WBC, IBF 21 7. Jack Dempsey 7 years, 2 months, 19 days 2 638 NYSAC, NBA 6 8. John L. Sullivan 7 years, 0 months, 10 days 2 566 Universal 5 9. Jack Johnson 6 years, 3 months, 11 days 2 292 Universal 9 10. Evander Holyfield 6 years, 1 month, 1 day 2 223 WBA, WBC, IBF 11 11. James J. Jeffries 5 years, 11 months, 4 days 2 156 Universal 8 12. Joe Frazier 4 years, 10 months, 18 days 1 785 NYSAC, WBA, WBC 10 13. Floyd Patterson 4 years, 10 months, 0 days 1 765 NYSAC, NBA 8 14. James J. Corbett 4 years, 6 months, 10 days 1 652 Universal 15. Jess Willard 4 years, 2 months, 29 days 1 551 Universal 16. Chris Byrd 3 years, 10 months, 22 days 1 421 IBF, WBO 6 17. Mike Tyson 3 years, 10 months, 16 days 1 415 WBA, WBC, IBF 12 18. John Ruiz 3 years, 9 months, 21 days 1 390 WBA 7 19. Rocky Marciano 3 years, 7 months, 5 days 1 312 NYSAC, NBA 7 20. Deontay Wilder 3 years, 1 month, 1 week and 4 days 1 134 WBC 6 By nationality Country Total Boxers by Name United States 54 John L. Sullivan, James J. Corbett, James J. Jeffries, Marvin Hart, Jack Johnson, Jess Willard, Jack Dempsey, Gene Tunney, Jack Sharkey, Max Baer, James J. Braddock, Joe Louis, Ezzard Charles, Lee Savold, Jersey Joe Walcott, Rocky Marciano, Floyd Patterson, Sonny Liston, Muhammad Ali, Ernie Terrell, Joe Frazier, Jimmy Ellis, George Foreman, Leon Spinks, Ken Norton, Larry Holmes, John Tate, Mike Weaver, Michael Dokes, Tim Witherspoon, Pinklon Thomas, Greg Page, Tony Tubbs, Michael Spinks, Mike Tyson, James Smith, Tony Tucker, Buster Douglas, Evander Holyfield, Ray Mercer, Michael Moorer, Riddick Bowe, Tommy Morrison, Michael Bentt, Oliver McCall, Bruce Seldon, Chris Byrd, John Ruiz, Hasim Rahman, Roy Jones Jr., Lamon Brewster, Shannon Briggs, Deontay Wilder, Charles Martin United Kingdom 8 Bob Fitzsimmons, Lennox Lewis, Herbie Hide, Frank Bruno, Henry Akinwande, David Haye, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua Russia Nikolai Valuev, Oleg Maskaev, Sultan Ibragimov, Alexander Povetkin Canada Tommy Burns, Trevor Berbick, Bermane Stiverne Italy Primo Carnera, Francesco Damiani South Africa Gerrie Coetzee, Corrie Sanders Ukraine Vitali Klitschko, Wladimir Klitschko Germany Max Schmeling Sweden Ingemar Johansson Belarus Siarhei Liakhovich Uzbekistan Ruslan Chagaev Nigeria Samuel Peter Australia Lucas Browne New Zealand Joseph Parker Syria Manuel Charr See also Longest reigning heavyweight champions List of Olympic medalists in boxing # Heavyweight List of WBA female world champions # Light heavyweight List of WBC female world champions # Heavyweight List of IBF female world champions # Heavyweight List of WBO female world champions # Heavyweight Further reading Florio, John ; Shapiro, Ouisie ( 2013 ). One Punch from the Promised Land : Leon Spinks, Michael Spinks, and the Myth of the Heavyweight Title. Lyons Press. p. 279. ISBN 978 - 0 - 7627 - 8300 - 7. References Jump up ^ http://boxrec.com/boxer/78578 Arnold, Peter ( 1989 ). Encyclopedia of Boxing. London : WH Smith Books. ISBN 1 - 85435 - 200 - 8. 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Question: who is the boxing world heavyweight champion 2017
Answer: Manuel Charr