Light heavyweight, also referred to as junior cruiserweight or light cruiserweight, is a weight class in combat sports.

Boxing

Professional

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., Sergey Kovalev and Zsolt Erdei.

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

Sanctioning Body Reign Began Champion Record Defenses
WBA September 18, 2017 Dmitry Bivol 22–0 (11 KO) 11
WBC October 18, 2019 Artur Beterbiev 20–0 (20 KO) 5
IBF November 11, 2017 Artur Beterbiev 20–0 (20 KO) 8
WBO June 18, 2022 Artur Beterbiev 20–0 (20 KO) 2

Current world rankings

The Ring

As of June 20, 2023.[1]

Keys:

 C  Current The Ring world champion
Rank Name Record (W–L–D) Title(s)
C vacant
1 Dmitry Bivol 21–0 (11 KO) WBA
2 Artur Beterbiev 20–0 (20 KO) IBF, WBC, WBO
3 Callum Smith 29–2 (21 KO)
4 Gilberto Ramírez 44–1 (30 KO)
5 Joe Smith Jr. 28–4 (22 KO)
6 Anthony Yarde 22–3 (21 KO)
7 Joshua Buatsi 17–0 (13 KO)
8 Dan Azeez 19–0 (13 KO)
9 Oleksandr Gvozdyk 19–1 (15 KO)
10 Michael Eifert 12–1 (4 KO)
BoxRec

As of 24 May 2022.[2]

Rank Name Record (W–L–D) Points Title(s)
1 Dmitry Bivol 20–0 (11 KO) 591.9 WBA
2 Artur Beterbiev 18–0 (18 KO) 194.0 WBC, IBF, WBO
3 Callum Smith 28–1 (20 KO) 188.5
4 Gilberto Ramirez 43–0 (29 KO) 144.2
5 Joe Smith Jr. 28–3 (22 KO) 127.2
6 Maxim Vlasov 46–4 (26 KO) 70.65
7 Jean Pascal 36–6–1 (20 KO) 63.58
8 Marcus Browne 24–2 (16 KO) 58.90
9 Joshua Buatsi 15–0 (13 KO) 38.34
10 Sullivan Barrera 22–4 (14 KO) 29.16

Longest reigning world light heavyweight champions

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.Gus Lesnevich7 years, 2 months, 2 daysNYSAC, NBA53[6]
4.Dmitry Bivol6 years, 3 months, 4 weeks and 1 dayWBA1111[7]
7.Artur Beterbiev6 years, 2 months and 5 daysIBF, WBC, WBO88[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

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

Kickboxing

  • In kickboxing, a light heavyweight fighter generally weighs between 77 kg (171 lb) and 82 kg (180 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

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

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

References

  1. ↑ "The Ring ratings: light heavyweight". Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  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. ↑ "Please login".
  7. ↑ "Professional boxing record: Dmitry Bivol". Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  8. ↑ "Professional boxing record: Artur Beterbiev". 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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