Barry Hugman's Lineal World Boxing Champions
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In this day and age it is almost impossible to find the man who beats the man anymore due to the fact that there are 17 weight divisions, not eight as in years gone by, and at least four champions in every class. With men moving up in weight on a regular basis few stay in the same division, leaving vacancies left, right and centre. Due to that I have devised a formula which at least picks up the leading men who are prepared to fight the best. Bracketed numbers against the boxers show their ratings at the time of the fight in question. The ratings I have used comprise those of The Ring (April 1928 to 2015) and Boxing News (2016 onwards). Other than men who lose their titles in the ring, those who retire or move up in weight should be replaced by the following in this order Prior to 1965 1/Universally recognised champions 2/Unification of at least two versions of the title 3/Top rated versus number 2 1966 to 1982 inclusive due to the WBA and WBC splitting the title 1/Universally recognised champions 2/Unification of at least two versions of the title 3/Top rated versus number 2 or 3 1983 to 1988 inclusive, taking into account the IBF being formed 1/Universally recognised champions 2/Unification of at least two versions of the title 3/Top rated versus number 2, 3 or 4 1989 to 2001 inclusive, taking into account the WBO being formed 1/Universally recognised champions 2/Unification of at least two versions of the title 3/Top rated versus number 2, 3, 4 or 5 2002 to 2012 inclusive, taking into account The Ring champions being re-established 1/Universally recognised champions 2/Unification of at least two versions of the title 3/The Ring champion 4/Top rated versus number 2, 3, 4 or 5 2012 onwards due to many of the top-rated men failing to take on opponents inside the top five 1/Universally recognised champions 2/Unification of at least two versions of the title 3/The Ring champion 4/Top rated versus number 2, 3, 4 or 5 5/Number 2 versus 3 when the top-rated man continues to meet opponents outside the top five Heavyweight (Initially in excess of 158lbs, now 200lbs +) James J. Corbett (7/9/1892 – 17/3/1897). When Corbett beat John L. Sullivan he was acclaimed universally as the champion, having already fought a draw against the great black fighter, Peter Jackson Bob Fitzsimmons (17/3/1897 – 9/6/1899) James J. Jeffries (9/6/1899 – 15/5/1905) Jeffries retired only to come back to meet Jack Johnson on 4 July 1910 Tommy Burns (2/12/1907 – 26/12/1908). Burns unified the title on beating the British champion, Gunner Moir Jack Johnson (26/12/1908 – 5/4/1915) Jess Willard (5/4/1915 – 4/7/1919) Jack Dempsey (4/7/1919 – 23/9/1926) Gene Tunney (23/9/1926 – 31/7/1928) Tunney retired Max Schmeling (12/6/1930 – 21/6/1932). Schmeling (2) became the universally recognised champion after beating Jack Sharkey (1) Jack Sharkey (21/6/1932 – 29/6/1933) Primo Carnera (29/6/1933 – 14/6/1934) Max Baer (14/6/1934 – 13/6/1935) James J. Braddock (13/6/1935 – 22/6/1937) Joe Louis (22/6/1937 – 28/2/1949) Louis announced his retirement before changing his mind and coming back to fight Ezzard Charles on 27 September 1950 Ezzard Charles (22/6/1949 – 18/7/1951). Charles (1) beat Walcott (2) Jersey Joe Walcott (18/7/1951 – 23/9/1952) Rocky Marciano (23/9/1952 – 27/4/1956) Marciano retired Floyd Patterson (30/11/1956 – 26/6/1959). Patterson (1) became the universally recognised champion on beating Archie Moore (2) Ingemar Johansson (26/6/1959 – 20/6/1960) Floyd Patterson (20/6/1960 – 25/9/1962) Sonny Liston (25/9/1962 – 25/2/1964) Cassius Clay [Muhammad Ali] (25/2/1964 – 16/1/1970) Ali retired before being eventually relicensed and beaten by Joe Frazier on 8 March 1971 Joe Frazier (16/2/1970 – 22/1/1973). Frazier beat Jimmy Ellis to become the universally recognised champion George Foreman (22/1/1973 – 30/10/1974) Muhammad Ali (30/10/1974 – 15/2/1978) Leon Spinks (15/2/1978 – 15/9/1978) Muhammad Ali (15/9/1978 – 6/6/1979) Ali retired Larry Holmes (28/9/1979 – 21/9/1985). Holmes (1) beat Earnie Shavers (3) Michael Spinks (21/9/1985 – 27/6/1988) Mike Tyson (27/6/1988 – 11/2/1990) James Buster Douglas (11/2/1990 – 25/10/1990) Evander Holyfield (25/10/1990 – 13/11/1992) Riddick Bowe (13/11/1992 – 6/11/1993) Evander Holyfield (6/11/1993 – 22/4/1994) Michael Moorer (22/4/1994 – 5/11/1994) George Foreman (5/11/1994 –22/11/1997) Shannon Briggs (22/11/1997 – 28/3/1998) Lennox Lewis (28/3/1998 – 22/4/2001) Hasim Rahman (22/4/2001 – 17/11/2001) Lennox Lewis (17/11/2001 – 6/2/2004) Lewis retired Vitali Klitschko (24/4/2004 – 9/11/2005). Klitschko (1) beat Corrie Sanders (3) Klitschko retired before coming back to win the WBC title on 11 October 2008 Vladimir Klitschko (23/2/2008 – 28/11/2015). Klitschko unified the IBF/WBO titles on beating Sultan Ibragimov Tyson Fury (28/11/2015 – 12/10/2016) Fury suspended indefinitely Anthony Joshua (29/4/2017 – ). Joshua unified the IBF/WBA titles when beating Wladimir Klitschko Cruiser (started life at 190lbs, now 200lbs) With the division not given universal recognition until the beginning of 1984, the top-rated De Leon was eventually named as champion by The Ring Carlos De Leon (17/7/1983 – 6/6/1985) Alfonso Ratliff (6/6/1985 – 21/9/1985) Bernard Benton (21/9/1985 – 22/3/1986) Carlos De Leon (22/3/1986 – 9/4/1988) Evander Holyfield (9/4/1988 – 11/1988) Holyfield moved up in weight Bobby Czyz (9/3/1991 – 4/8/1994). Czyz (1) beat Robert Daniels (4) David Izegwire (4/8/1994 – 5/11/1994) Adolpho Washington (5/11/1994 – 17/3/1995) Orlin Norris (17/3/1995 – 22/7/1995) Nate Miller (22/7/1995 – 18/11/1997) Fabrice Tiozzo (18/11/1997 – 9/12/2000) Virgil Hill (9/12/2000 – 23/2/2002) Jean-Marc Mormeck (23/2/2002 – 7/1/2006) O’Neil Bell (7/1/2006 – 17/3/2007) Jean-Marc Mormeck (17/3/2007 – 10/11/2007) David Haye (10/11/2007 – 22/7/2008) Haye moved up in weight Tomasz Adamek (11/12/2008 – 18/10/2009). Adamek (1) defeated Steve Cunningham (2) Adamek moved up in weight Steve Cunningham (5/6/2010 – 1/10/2011). Cunningham (1) beat Troy Ross (5) Yoan Pablo Hernandez (1/10/2011 – 21/9/2015) Hernandez retired Oleksandr Usyk (9/9/2017 – ). Usyk (1) beat Marco Huck (4) Light Heavy (175lbs) Georges Carpentier (12/10/1920 – 24/9/1922). Carpentier became the division’s first universally recognised champion on beating Battling Levinsky Battling Siki (24/9/1922 – 17/3/1923) Mike McTigue (17/3/1923 – 30/3/1925) Paul Berlenbach (30/5/1925 – 16/7/1926) Jack Delaney (16/7/1926 – 10/8/1927) Delaney moved up in weight Tommy Loughran (12/12/1927 – 3/9/1929). Loughran, the NYSAC champion, beat the NBA’s Jimmy Slattery to gain universal recognition Loughran moved up in weight Maxie Rosenbloom (25/6/1930 – 16/11/1934). Following a series of eliminators, Rosenbloom beat Jimmy Slattery to claim the universally recognised title Bob Olin (16/11/1934 – 31/10/1935) John Henry Lewis (31/10/1935 – 19/6/1939) Lewis retired Billy Conn (13/7/1939 – 3/6/1941). Conn (1) beat Melio Betina (2) to unify the NYSAC and NBA titles Conn moved up in weight Gus Lesnevich (26/8/1941 – 26/7/1948). As the NBA champion, Lesnevich defeated the NYSAC’s Tami Mauriello to unify the two titles Freddie Mills (26/7/1948 – 24/1/1950) Joey Maxim (24/1/1950 – 17/12/1952) Archie Moore (17/12/1952 – 9/2/1962) Moore moved up in weight Harold Johnson (12/5/1962 – 1/6/1963). Johnson (1) became universally recognised when beating Doug Jones (3) Willie Pastrano (1/6/1963 – 30/3/1965) Jose Torres (30/3/1965 – 16/12/1966) Dick Tiger (16/12/1966 – 24/5/1968) Bob Foster (24/5/1968 – 16/9/1974) Foster retired John Conteh (1/10/1974 – 17/6/1978). Conteh (2) beat Jorge Ahumada (1) Mate Parlov (17/6/1978 – 2/12/1978) Marvin Johnson (2/12/1978 – 22/4/1979) Matthew Saad Muhammad (22/4/1979 – 19/12/1981) Dwight Braxton [Dwight Muhammad Qawi] (19/12/1981 – 18/3/1983) Michael Spinks (18/3/1983 – 5/11/1986) Spinks moved up in weight Leslie Stewart (23/5/1987 – 29/5/1988). Stewart (4) beat Marvin Johnson (1) Donny Lalonde (29/5/1988 – 7/11/1988) Sugar Ray Leonard (7/11/1988 – 17/11/1988) Leonard moved down to super middle Virgil Hill (27/5/1989 – 3/6/1991). Hill (1) beat Joe Lasisi (5) Thomas Hearns (3/6/1991 – 20/3/1992) Iran Barkley (20/3/1992 – 10/4/1992) Barkley moved down to super middle Henry Maske (20/3/1993 – 23/11/1996). Maske (5) beat Charles Williams (1) Virgil Hill (23/11/1996 – 13/6/1997) Dariusz Michalczewski (13/6/1997 – 18/10/2003) Julius Cesar Gonzalez (18/10/2003 – 17/1/2004) Zsolt Erdei (17/1/2004 – 13/11/2009) Erdei moved to super middle Jean Pascal (14/8/2010 – 21/5/2011). Pascal (3) beat Chad Dawson (1) Bernard Hopkins (21/5/2011 – 28/4/2012) Chad Dawson (28/4/2012 – 8/6/2013) Adonis Stevenson (8/6/2013 – 30/11/2015) Stevenson failed to meet a top-five rated opponent for more than two years Sergey Kovalev (30/1/2016 – 19/11/2016). Kovalev (1) beat Jean Pascal (3) Andre Ward (19/11/2016 – 21/9/2017) Ward retired Super Middle (168lbs) The division was not fully recognised until the end of 1988 Michael Nunn 30/1/1993 – 26/2/1994). Nunn (1) beat Victor Cordoba (4) Steve Little (26/2/1994 – 12/8/1994) Frankie Liles (12/8/1994 – 12/6/1999) Byron Mitchell (12/6/1999 – 8/4/2000) Bruno Girard (8/4/2000 – 3/3/2001) Girard moved up in weight Sven Ottke (15/3/2003 – 27/3/2004). Otke (1) unified the WBA and IBF titles when beating Byron Mitchell (2) Otke retired Joe Calzaghe (4/3/2006 – 26/9/2008). Calzaghe (1) unified the IBF and WBO titles when defeating Jeff Lacey (3) Calzaghe moved up in weight Andre Ward (17/12/2011 – 10/11/2015). Ward (1) unified the WBA and WBC titles on beating Carl Froch (2) Ward moved up in weight Middle (160lbs) Johnny Wilson (17/3/1921 – 31/8/1923). Wilson became the first undisputed champion at 160lbs on defeating Mike O’Dowd Harry Greb (31/8/1923 – 26/2/1926) Tiger Flowers (26/2/1926 – 3/12/1926) Mickey Walker (3/12/1926 – 19/6/1931) Walker moved up in weight Marcel Thil (11/6/1932 – 23/9/1937). Thil beat Gorilla Jones to unify the IBU/NBA titles Fred Apostoli (23/9/1937 – 2/10/1939) Ceferino Garcia (2/10/1939 – 23/5/1940) Ken Overlin (23/5/1940 – 9/5/1941) Billy Soose (9/5/1941 – 31/10/1941) Soose moved up in weight Tony Zale (28/11/1941 – 16/7/1947). Zale (1) became the undisputed champion after defeating Georgie Abrams (2) Rocky Graziano (16/7/1947 – 10/6/1948) Tony Zale (10/6/1948 – 21/9/1948) Marcel Cerdan (21/9/1948 – 16/6/1949) Jake LaMotta (16/6/1949 – 14/2/1951) Sugar Ray Robinson (14/2/1951 – 10/7/1951) Randy Turpin (10/7/1951 – 12/9/1951) Sugar Ray Robinson (12/9/1951 – 19/12/1952) Robinson took time away from boxing with a view to retirement before coming back in 1955 and eventually regaining the title Carl Bobo Olson (21/10/1953 – 9/12/1955). On defeating Randy Turpin (1), Olson (2) became universally recognised Sugar Ray Robinson (9/12/1955 – 2/1/1957) Gene Fullmer (2/1/1957 – 1/5/1957) Sugar Ray Robinson (1/5/1957 – 23/9/1957) Carmen Basilio (23/9/1957 – 25/3/1958) Sugar Ray Robinson (25/3/1958 – 22/1/1960) Paul Pender (22/1/1960 – 11/7/1961) Terry Downes (11/7/1961 – 7/4/1962) Paul Pender (7/4/1962 – 7/5/1963) Pender retired Dick Tiger (10/8/1963 – 7/12/1963). Tiger (1) became universally recognised on beating the WBA champion, Gene Fullmer (2) Joey Giardello (7/12/1963 – 21/10/1965) Dick Tiger (21/10/1965 – 25/4/1966) Emile Griffith (25/4/1966 – 17/4/1967) Nino Benvenuti (17/4/1967 – 29/9/1967) Emile Griffith (29/9/1967 – 4/3/1968) Nino Benvenuti (4/3/1968 – 7/11/1970) Carlos Monzon (7/11/1970 – 29/8/1977) Monzon retired Rodrigo Valdez (5/11/1977 – 22/4/1978). Valdez, supported by the WBC, beat the WBA’s Bennie Briscoe to receive universal recognition Hugo Corro (22/4/1978 – 30/6/1979) Vito Antuofermo (30/6/1979 – 16/3/1980) Alan Minter (16/3/1980 – 27/9/1980) Marvin Hagler (27/9/1980 – 6/4/1987) Sugar Ray Leonard (6/4/1987 – 27/6/1987) Leonard moved up in weight Michael Nunn (25/3/1989 – 10/5/1991). Nunn (2) beat Sumbu Kalambay (1) James Toney (10/5/1991 – 13/2/1993) Toney moved up in weight Roy Jones (27/5/1994 – 18/11/1994). Jones (1) beat Thomas Tate (5) Jones moved up in weight Jorge Castro (10/12/1994 – 19/12/1995). Castro (1) beat John David Jackson (3) Shinji Takehara (19/12/1995 – 24/6/1996) William Joppy (24/6/1996 – 23/8/1997) Julio Cesar Green (23/8/1997 – 31/1/1998) William Joppy (31/1/1998 – 12/5/2001) Felix Trinidad (12/5/2001 – 29/9/2001) Bernard Hopkins (29/9/2001 – 16/7/2005) Jermain Taylor (16/7/2005 – 29/9/2007) Kelly Pavlik (29/9/2007 – 17/4/2010) Sergio Martinez (17/4/2010 – 7/6/2014) Miguel Cotto (7/6/2014 – 21/11/2015) Saul Alvarez (21/11/2015 – ) Junior Middle (154lbs) The weight division was not universally accepted until October 1974 when Albarado was seen as a champion by The Ring Oscar Albarado (3/6/1974 – 21/1/1975) Koichi Wajima (21/1/1975 – 11/11/1975) Jae-Doo Yuh (11/11/1975 – 17/2/1976) Koichi Wajima (17/2/1976 – 18/5/1976) Jose Manuel Duran (18/5/1976 – 8/10/1976) Miguel Castellini (8/10/1976 – 5/3/1977) Eddie Gazo (5/3/1977 – 9/8/1978) Masashi Kudo (9/8/1978 – 24/10/1979) Ayub Kalule (24/10/1979 – 25/6/1981) Sugar Ray Leonard (25/6/1981 – 22/9/1981) Leonard moved down to welter Thomas Hearns (3/12/1982 – 28/9/1986). Hearns (1) beat Wilfred Benitez (2) Hearns moved up in weight Duane Thomas (5/12/1986 – 12/4/1987). Thomas (1) beat John Mugabi (4) Lupe Aquino (12/4/1987 – 2/10/1987) Gianfranco Rosi (2/10/1987 – 8/7/1988) Don Curry (8/7/1988 – 11/2/1989) Rene Jacquot (11/2/1989 – 8/7/1989) John Mugabi (8/7/1989 – 31/3/1990) Terry Norris (31/3/1990 – 18/12/1993) Simon Brown (18/12/1993 – 7/5/1994) Terry Norris (7/5/1994 – 12/11/1994) Luis Santana (12/11/1994 – 19/8/1995) Terry Norris (19/8/1995 – 6/12/1997) Keith Mullings (6/12/1997 – 29/1/1999) Javier Castillejo (29/1/1999 – 23/6/2001) Oscar De La Hoya (23/6/2001 – 13/9/2003) Shane Mosley (13/9/2003 – 13/3/2004) Ronald Wright (13/3/2004 – 25/3/2005) Wright moved up in weight Saul Alvarez (20/4/2013 – 14/9/2013). Alvarez (2) beat Austin Trout (3) Floyd Mayweather Jnr (14/9/2013 – 19/9/2015) Mayweather retired Jermall Charlo (21/5/2016 – 17/2/2017). Charlo (3) beat Austin Trout (2) Charlo moved up in weight Welter (147lbs) Jack Britton (17/3/1919 – 1/11/1922). Britton was seen as the undisputed champion at 147lbs, having finally put paid to Ted Kid Lewis Mickey Walker (1/11/1922 – 20/5/1926) Pete Latzo (20/5/1926 – 3/6/1927) Joe Dundee (3/6/1927 – 25/7/1929) Jackie Fields (25/7/1929 – 9/5/1930) Young Jack Thompson (9/5/1930 – 5/9/1930) Tommy Freeman (5/9/1930 – 14/4/1931) Young Jack Thompson (14/4/1931 – 23/10/1931) Lou Brouillard (23/10/1931 – 28/1/1932) Jackie Fields (28/1/1932 – 22/2/1933) Young Corbett 111 (22/2/1933 – 29/5/1933) Jimmy McLarnin (29/5/1933 – 28/5/1934) Barney Ross (28/5/1934 – 17/9/1934) Jimmy McLarnin (17/9/1934 – 28/5/1935) Barney Ross (28/5/1935 – 31/5/1938) Henry Armstrong (31/5/1938 – 4/10/1940) Fritzie Zivic (4/10/1940 – 29/7/1941) Freddie Cochrane (29/7/1941 – 1/2/1946) Marty Servo (1/2/1946 – 25/9/1946) Servo retired Sugar Ray Robinson (20/12/1946 – 14/2/1951). Robinson (1) became the undisputed champion on beating Tommy Bell (3) after Tippy Larkin (2) had declined the match Robinson moved up to middleweight Kid Gavilan (7/7/1952 – 20/10/1954). Defending his NBA/NYSAC belts, Gavilan (1) became the undisputed champion when defeating Gil Turner (2) Johnny Saxton (20/10/1954 – 1/4/1955) Tony DeMarco (1/4/1955 – 10/6/1955) Carmen Basilio (10/6/1955 – 14/3/1956) Johnny Saxton (14/3/1956 – 12/9/1956) Carmen Basilio (12/9/1956 – 23/9/1957) Basilio moved up in weight Virgil Akins (5/6/1958 – 5/12/1958). Akins (1) beat Vince Martinez (2) to become the undisputed champion Don Jordan (5/12/1958 – 27/5/1960) Benny Kid Paret (27/5/1960 – 1/4/1961) Emile Griffith (1/4/1961 – 30/9/1961) Benny Kid Paret (30/9/1961 – 24/3/1962) Emile Griffith (24/3/1962 – 21/3/1963) Luis Rodriguez (21/3/1963 – 8/6/1963) Emile Griffith (8/6/1963 – 2/8/1966) Griffith moved up in weight Curtis Cokes (28/11/1966 – 18/4/1969). Cokes (1) beat Jean Josselin (2) to unify the WBA and EBU versions of the title Jose Napoles (18/4/1969 – 3/12/1970) Billy Backus (3/12/1970 – 4/6/1971) Jose Napoles (4/6/1971 – 6/12/1975) John H. Stracey (6/12/1975 – 22/6/1976) Carlos Palomino (22/6/1976 – 14/1/1979) Wilfred Benitez (14/1/1979 – 30/11/1979) Sugar Ray Leonard (30/11/1979 – 20/6/1980) Roberto Duran (20/6/1980 – 25/11/1980) Sugar Ray Leonard (25/11/1980 – 9/11/1982) Leonard moved up in weight Don Curry (6/12/1985 – 27/9/1986). Curry (1) became the undisputed champion when beating Milton McCrory (2) Lloyd Honeghan (27/9/1986 – 28/10/1987) Jorge Vaca (28/10/1987 – 29/3/1988) Lloyd Honeyghan (29/3/1988 – 5/2/1989) Marlon Starling (5/2/1989 – 19/8/1990) Maurice Blocker (19/8/1990 – 18/3/1991) Simon Brown (18/3/1991 – 29/11/1991) Buddy McGirt (29/11/1991 – 6/3/1993) Pernell Whitaker (6/3/1993 – 12/4/1997) Oscar De La Hoya (12/4/1997 – 18/9/1999) Felix Trinidad (18/9/1999 – 3/3/2000) Trinidad moved up in weight Shane Mosley (17/6/2000 – 26/1/2002). Mosley (3) beat Oscar De La Hoya (1) Vernon Forrest (26/1/2002 – 25/1/2003) Ricardo Mayorga (25/1/2003 – 13/12/2003) Cory Spinks (13/12/2003 – 5/2/2005) Zab Judah (5/2/2005 – 7/1/2006) Carlos Baldomir (7/1/2006 – 4/11/2006) Floyd Mayweather Jnr (4/11/2006 – 6/6/2008) Mayweather temporarily retired only to come back on 19 September 2009 Antonio Margarito (26/7/2008 – 24/1/2009). Margarito (4) beat Miguel Cotto (1) Shane Mosley (24/1/2009 – 1/5/2010) Floyd Mayweather Jnr (1/5/2010 – 19/9/2015) Mayweather retired Manny Pacquiao (9/4/2016 – 2/7/2017 ). Pacquiao (1) beat Timothy Bradley (2) Jeff Horn (2/7/2017 – Junior Welter (140lbs) Although there had been action in the weight class since 1923 the first time a champion was listed in The Ring was in April 1928. Callahan went on to be classified as a champion by The Ring Mushy Callaghan (21/9/1926 – 18/2/1930) Jack Kid Berg (18/2/1930 – 24/4/1931) Tony Canzoneri (24/4/1931 – 18/1/1932) Johnny Jadick (18/1/1932 – 20/2/1933) Battling Shaw (20/2/1933 – 21/5/1933) Tony Canzoneri (21/5/1933 – 23/6/1933) Barney Ross (23/6/1933 – 28/5/1935) Ross moved up in weight Although several men tried to claim the title, the weight division had few backers until 1946 Tippy Larkin (29/4/1946 – 20/6/1947). Larkin beat Willie Joyce to unify the NBA and NYSAC titles Larkin forfeited the title after being beaten by Ike Williams inside the weight. Following this, the division once again went into decline until being re-established in 1959 Carlos Ortiz (12/6/1959 – 1/9/1960). Ortiz beat Kenny Lane to unify the NYSAC and NBA titles Duilio Loi (1/9/1960 – 14/9/1962) Eddie Perkins (14/9/1962 – 15/12/1962) Duilio Loi (15/12/1962 – 24/1/1963) Loi retired Carlos Hernandez (18/1/1965 – 30/4/1966). Hernandez Beat Eddie Perkins to unify the WBA and WBC titles Sandro Lopopolo (30/4/1966 – 30/4/1967) Paul Fujii (30/4/1967 – 12/12/1968) Nicolino Locche (12/12/1968 – 19/3/1972) Alfonso Frazer (19/3/1972 – 28/10/1972) Antonio Cervantes (28/10/1972 – 6/3/1976) Wilfred Benitez (6/3/1976 – 25/8/1978) Benitez moved up in weight Antonio Cervantes (18/1/1979 – 2/8/1980). Cervantes (1) beat Miguel Montilla (3) Aaron Pryor (2/8/1980 – 31/12/1985) Pryor moved up in weight Rene Arredondo (5/6/1986 – 24/7/1986). Arredondo (4) beat Lonnie Smith (1) Tsuyoshi Hamada (24/7/1986 – 22/7/1987) Rene Arredondo – 22/7/1987 – 12/11/1987) Roger Mayweather (12/11/1987 – 13/5/1989) Julio Cesar Chavez (13/5/1989 – 29/1/1994) Frankie Randall (29/1/1994 – 7/5/1994) Julio Cesar Chavez (7/5/1994 – 6/6/1996) Oscar De La Hoya (6/6/1996 – 12/4/1997) De La Hoya moved up in weight Kostya Tszyu (3/2/2001 – 4/6/2005). Tszyu (1) beat Sharmba Mitchell (3) Ricky Hatton (4/6/2005 – 2/5/2009) Manny Pacquiao (2/5/2009 – 26/7/2010) Pacquiao moved up in weight Devon Alexander (7/8/2010 – 29/1/2011). Alexander beat Andriy Kotelnyk to unify the IBF and WBC titles Timothy Bradley (29/1/2011 – 9/6/2012) Bradley moved up in weight Danny Garcia (14/7/2012 – 11/9/2015). Garcia beat Amir Khan to unify the WBA and WBC titles Garcia moved up in weight Terence Crawford (23/7/2016 – ). Crawford beat Viktor Postol to unify the WBC and WBO titles Light (135lbs) Freddie Welsh (7/7/1914 – 28/5/1917). Welsh beat Willie Ritchie to unify the division Benny Leonard (28/5/1917 – 15/1/1925) Leonard retired Rocky Kansas (7/12/1925 – 3/7/1926). Kansas beat Jimmy Goodrich to unify the NY/NBA/GB versions of the title Sammy Mandell (3/7/1926 – 17/7/1930) Al Singer (17/7/1930 – 14/11/1930) Tony Canzoneri (14/11/1930 – 23/6/1933) Barney Ross (23/6/1933 – 15/4/1935) Ross moved up in weight Tony Canzoneri (10/5/1935 – 3/9/1936). Canzoneri beat Lou Ambers to become universally recognised Lou Ambers (3/9/1936 – 17/8/1938) Henry Armstrong (17/8/1938 – 22/8/1939) Lou Ambers (22/8/1939 – 10/5/1940) Lew Jenkins (10/5/1940 – 19/12/1941) Sammy Angott (19/12/1941 – 14/11/1942) Angott announced his retirement due to hand problems in November 1942, only to come back in March 1943 and eventually regain the NBA title Bob Montgomery (21/5/1943 – 14/11/1943). Montgomery (2) beat Beau Jack (1) Beau Jack (14/11/1943 – 3/3/1944) Bob Montgomery (3/3/1944 – 4/8/1947) Ike Williams (4/8/1947 – 25/5/1951) Jimmy Carter (25/5/1951 – 14/5/1952) Lauro Salas (14/5/1952 – 15/10/1952) Jimmy Carter (15/10/1952 – 5/3/1954) Paddy DeMarco (5/3/1954 – 17/11/1954) Jimmy Carter (17/11/1954) – 29/6/1955) Wallace Bud Smith (29/6/1955 – 24/8/1956) Joe Brown (24/8/1956 – 21/4/1962) Carlos Ortiz (21/4/1962 – 10/4/1965) Ismael Laguna (10/4/1965 – 13/11/1965) Carlos Ortiz (13/11/1965 – 29/6/1968) Carlos Teo Cruz (29/6/1968 – 18/2/1969) Mando Ramos (18/2/1969 – 3/3/1970) Ismael Laguna (3/3/1970 – 26/9/1970) Ken Buchanan (26/9/1970 – 26/6/1972) Roberto Duran (26/6/1972 – 3/2/1979) Duran moved up in weight Alexis Arguello (22/5/1982 –15/2/1983). Arguello (1) beat Andy Ganigan (3) Arguello moved up in weight Livingstone Bramble (1/6/1984 – 26/9/1986). Bramble (4) beat Ray Mancini (1) Edwin Rosario (29/9/1986 – 21/11/1987) Julio Cesar Chavez (21/11/1987 – 13/5/1989) Chavez moved up in weight Pernell Whitaker (3/2/1990 – 22/5/1992). Whitaker (1) beat Freddie Pendleton (4) Whitaker moved up in weight Miguel Angel Gonzalez (6/8/1994 – 10/2/1996). Gonzalez (1) beat Leavander Johnson (4) Gonzalez moved up in weight Shane Mosley (2/8/1997 – 31/5/1999). Mosley (5) beat Philip Holiday (1) Mosley moved up in weight Stevie Johnston (14/8/1999 – 17/6/2000). Johnston (1) beat Angel Manfredy (2) Jose Luis Castillo (17/6/2000 – 20/4/2002) Floyd Mayweather Jnr (20/4/2002 – 22/5/2004) Mayweather moved up in weight Jose Luis Castillo (5/6/2004 – 7/5/2005). Castillo (2) defeated Juan Lazcano (1) Diego Corrales (7/5/2005 – 7/10/2006) Joel Casamayor (7/10/2006 – 13/9/2008) Juan Manuel Marquez (13/9/2008 – 14/4/2012) Marquez moved up in weight Terence Crawford (29/11/2014 – 24/3/2015). Crawford (1) beat Fernando Beltran (2) Crawford moved up in weight Jorge Linares (24/9/2016 – ). Linares (1) beat Anthony Crolla (2) Junior Light (130lbs) The division gained recognition throughout America almost as soon as it began in 1921 Johnny Dundee (6/7/1922 – 30/5/1923). Dundee unified the NYSAC and NBA versions of the title when beating Jackie Sharkey Jack Bernstein (30/5/1923 – 17/12/1923) Johnny Dundee (17/12/1923 – 20/6/1924) Steve Kid Sullivan (20/6/1924 – 1/4/1925) Mike Ballerino (1/4/1925 – 2/12/1925) Tod Morgan (2/12/1925 – 20/12/1929) Benny Bass (20/12/1929 – 15/7/1931) Kid Chocolate (15/7/1931 – 25/12/1933) Frankie Klick (25/12/1933 – 5/3/1934) Klick moved up in weight Despite the title being claimed by Sandy Saddler between 6/12/1949 to 28/2/1951 he was seen as a featherweight, and although the division resurfaced in 1959 with Harold Gomes it was not taken seriously by The Ring until 1963 Flash Elorde (16/2/1963 – 15/6/1967). Elorde unified the WBA and WBC titles when beating Johnny Bizzarro Yoshiaki Numata (15/6/1967 – 14/12/1967) Hiroshi Kobayashi (14/12/1967 – 29/7/1971) Alfredo Marcano (29/7/1971 – 25/4/1972) Ben Villaflor (25/4/1972 – 12/3/1973) Kuniaki Shibata (12/3/1973 – 17/10/1973) Ben Villaflor (17/10/1973 – 16/10/1976) Sam Serrano (16/10/1976 – 2/8/1980) Yasutsune Uehara (2/8/1980 – 9/4/1981) Sam Serrano (9/4/1981 – 19/1/1983) Roger Mayweather (19/1/1983 – 26/2/1984) Rocky Lockridge (26/2/1984 – 19/5/1985) Wilfredo Gomez (19/5/1985 – 24/5/1986) Alfredo Layne (24/5/1986 – 27/9/1986) Brian Mitchell (27/9/1986 – 25/1/1992) Mitchell retired Azumah Nelson (1/3/1992 – 7/5/1994). Nelson (2) beat Jeff Fenech (1) Jesse James Leija (7/5/1994 – 17/9/1994) Gabriel Ruelas (17/9/1974 – 1/12/1995) Azumah Nelson (1/12/1995 – 22/3/1997) Genaro Hernandez (22/3/1997 – 3/10/1998) Floyd Mayweather Jnr (3/10/1998 – 20/4/2002) Mayweather moved up in weight Acelino Freitas (20/4/2002 – 15/1/2004). Freitas had earlier unified the WBA and WBO titles Freitas moved up in weight Erik Morales (31/7/2004 – 27/11/2004). Morales unified the IBF and WBC titles when beating Carlos Hernandez Marco Antonio Barrera (27/11/2004 – 17/3/2007) Juan Manuel Marquez (17/3/2007 – 15/3/2008) Manny Pacquiao (15/3/2008 – 16/7/2008) Pacquiao moved up in weight Mzonke Fana (1/9/2010 – 20/5/2011). Fana (1) beat Cassius Baloyi (2) Fana moved up in weight Takashi Uchiyama (31/12/2011 – 27/4/2016). Uchiyama (1) defeated Jorge Solis (4) Jezreel Corrales (27/4/2016 – 21/10/2017) Alberto Machado (21/10/2017 - Feather (126lbs) Eugene Criqui (2/6/1923 – 26/7/1923). Criqui received universal recognition on beating Johnny Dundee Johnny Dundee (26/7/1923 – 20/8/1924) Dundee moved up in weight Louis Kid Kaplan (18/12/1925 – 7/7/1926) Kaplan moved up in weight Tony Canzoneri (10/2/1928 – 28/9/1928). Canzoneri unified the world title when beating Benny Bass Andre Routis (28/9/1928 – 23/9/1929) Battling Battalino (23/9/1929 – 27/1/1932) Battalino moved up in weight Kid Chocolate (19/5/33 – 17/2/1934). Chocolate unified the GB and NYSAC versions of the title on beating Seaman Tommy Watson Chocolate moved up in weight Freddie Miller (20/9/1934 – 11/5/1936). Miller unified the NBA and GB versions of the world title on beating Nel Tarleton Petey Sarron (11/5/1936 – 29/10/1937) Henry Armstrong (29/10/1937 – 13/9/1938) Armstrong moved up in weight Joey Archibald (18/4/1939 – 20/5/1940). Archibald unified the world title when defeating Leo Rodak Harry Jeffra (20/5/1940 – 12/5/1941) Joey Archibald (12/5/1941 – 11/9/1941) Chalky Wright (11/9/1941 – 20/11/1942) Willie Pep (20/11/1942 – 29/10/1948) Sandy Saddler (29/10/1948 – 11/2/1949) Willie Pep (11/2/49 – 8/9/1950) Sandy Saddler (8/9/1950 – 21/1/1957) Saddler retired Hogan Kid Bassey (24/6/57 – 18/3/1959). Bassey unified the world title when beating Cherif Hamia Davey Moore (18/3/59 – 21/3/1963) Sugar Ramos (21/3/1963 – 26/9/1964) Vicente Saldivar (26/9/1964 – 14/10/1967) Saldivar retired, only to come back and regain his old title Johnny Famechon (21/1/1969 – 9/5/1970). Famechon (2) beat Jose Legra (1) Vicente Saldivar (9/5/1970 – 11/12/1970) Kuniaki Shibata (11/12/1970 – 19/5/1972) Clemente Sanchez (19/5/1972 – 16/12/1972) Jose Legra (16/12/1972 – 5/5/1973) Eder Jofre (5/5/1973 – 17/6/1974) Jofre moved up in weight Ruben Olivares (20/6/1975 – 20/9/1975). Olivares (3) beat Chacon (1) David Kotey (20/9/1975 – 6/11/1976) Danny Lopez (6/11/1976 – 2/2/1980) Salvador Sanchez (2/2/1980 – 12/8/1982) Sanchez died Eusebio Pedroza (24/4/1983 – 8/6/1985). Pedroza (1) beat Rocky Lockridge (4) Barry McGuigan (8/6/1985 – 23/6/1986) Steve Cruz (23/6/1986 – 6/3/1987) Antonio Esparragoza (6/3/1987 – 30/3/1991) Young-Kyun Park (30/3/1991 – 4/12/1993) Eloy Rojas (4/12/1993 – 18/5/1996) Wilfredo Vazquez (18/5/1996 – 18/4/1998) Naseem Hamed (18/4/1998 – 7/4/2001) Marco Antonio Barrera (7/4/2001 – 15/11/2003) Manny Pacquiao (15/11/2003 – 19/3/2005) Pacquiao moved up in weight Juan Manuel Marquez (19/3/2005 – 4/3/2006). Marquez had earlier unified the IBF and WBA titles Chris John (4/3/2006 – 6/12/2013) Simpiwe Vetyeka (6/12/2013 – 31/5/2014) Nonito Donaire (31/5/2014 – 18/10/2014) Nicholas Walters (18/10/2014 – 12/6/2015) Walters moved up in weight Leo Santa Cruz (28/1/2017 – ). Santa Cruz (3) beat Carl Frampton (2) Junior Feather (122lbs) Set up by the WBC in 1976, it was eventually recognised universally at the beginning of 1979 Wilfredo Gomez (9/3/1979 – 6/5/1983). Gomez (1) beat Nestor Jimenez (4) Gomez moved up in weight Jaime Garza (26/5/1984 – 3/11/1984). Garza (1) beat Felipe Orozco (4) Juan Meza (3/11/1984 – 18/8/1985) Lupe Pintor (18/8/1985 – 18/1/1986) Samart Payakaroon (18/1/1986 – 8/5/1987) Jeff Fenech (8/5/1987 – 15/12/1987) Fenech moved up in weight Daniel Zaragoza (29/2/1988 – 23/4/1990). Zaragoza (1) beat Carlos Zarate (5) Paul Banke (23/4/1990 – 5/11/1990) Pedro Decima (5/11/1990 – 3/2/1991) Kiyoshi Hatanaka (3/2/1991 – 14/6/1991) Daniel Zaragoza (14/6/1991 – 20/3/1992) Thierry Jacob (20/3/1992 – 5/12/1992) Wilfredo Vazquez (5/12/1992 – 13/5/1995) Antonio Cermeno (13/5/1995 – 15/11/1997) Cermeno moved up in weight Erik Morales (22/10/1999 – 2/9/2000). Morales (1) beat Wayne McCullough (5) Morales moved up in weight Paulie Ayala (23/2/2002 – 16/11/2002). Ayala (2) defeated Clarence Adams (1) Ayala moved up in weight Israel Vazquez (3/12/2005 – 3/3/2007). Vazquez unified the IBF/WBC titles when beating Oscar Larios Rafael Marquez (3/3/2007 – 4/8/2007) Israel Vazquez (4/8/2007 – 3/1/2009) Vasquez moved up in weight Celestino Caballero (3/1/2009 – 10/12/2010). Caballero had earlier unified the IBF and WBA titles Caballero moved up in weight Nonito Donaire (13/10/2012 – 13/4/2013). Donaire (3) beat Toshiaki Nishioka (1) Guillermo Rigondeaux (13/4/2013 – 9/2/2016) Rigondeaux failed to meet a top five rated opponent for more than two years Carl Frampton (27/2/2016 – 28/4/2016). Frampton (2) unified the IBF/WBA titles when beating Scott Quigg (3) Frampton moved up in weight Bantam (118lbs) Pete Herman (9/1/1917 – 22/12/1920). Herman received universal recognition after beating all before him at the weight Joe Lynch (22/12/1920 – 25/7/1921) Pete Herman (25/7/1921 – 23/9/1921) Johnny Buff (23/9/1921 – 10/7/1922) Joe Lynch (10/7/1922 – 21/3/1924) Abe Goldstein (21/3/1924 – 19/12/1924) Eddie Martin (19/12/1924 – 20/3/1925) Charley Phil Rosenberg (20/3/1925 – 4/2/1927) Rosenberg moved up in weight Panama Al Brown (4/10/1930 – 1/6/1935). Brown became universally recognised on beating Eugene Huat Baltasar Sangchilli (1/6/1935 – 2/6/1936) Tony Marino (2/6/1936 – 31/8/1936) Sixto Escobar (31/8/1936 – 23/9/1937) Harry Jeffra (23/9/1937 – 20/2/1938) Sixto Escobar (20/2/1938 – 27/10/1939) Escobar moved up in weight Lou Salica (24/9/1940 – 7/8/1942). Salica (3) unified the world title when defeating Georgie Pace (1) Manuel Ortiz (7/8/1942 – 6/1/1947) Harold Dade (6/1/1947 – 11/3/1947) Manuel Ortiz (11/3/1947 – 31/5/1950) Vic Toweel (31/5/1950 – 15/11/1952) Jimmy Carruthers (15/11/1952 – 3/5/1954) Carruthers retired Robert Cohen (19/9/1954 – 29/6/1956). Cohen (1) gained universal recognition on beating Chamroen Songkitrat (2) Mario D’Agata (29/6/1956 – 1/4/1957) Alphonse Halimi (1/4/1957 – 8/7/1959) Joe Becerra (8/7/1959 – 30/8/1960) Becerra retired Eder Jofre (18/1/1962 – 17/5/1965). Jofre (1) was recognised universally after his victory over Johnny Caldwell (2) Fighting Harada (17/5/1965 – 26/2/1968) Lionel Rose (26/2/1968 – 22/8/1969) Ruben Olivares (22/8/1969 – 16/10/1970) Chuchu Castillo (16/10/1970 – 2/4/1971) Ruben Olivares (2/4/1971 – 19/3/1972) Rafael Herrera (19/3/1972 – 30/7/1972) Enrique Pinder (30/7/1972 – 20/1/1973) Romeo Anaya (20/1/1973 – 3/11/1973) Arnold Taylor (3/11/1973 – 3/7/1974) Soo-Hwan Hong (3/7/1974 – 14/3/1975) Alfonso Zamora (14/3/1975 – 19/11/1977) Jorge Lujan (19/11/1977 – 29/8/1980) Julian Solis (29/8/1980 – 14/11/1980) Jeff Chandler (14/11/1980 – 7/4/1984) Richie Sandoval (7/4/1984 – 10/3/1986) Gaby Canizales (10/3/1986 – 4/6/1986) Bernardo Pinango (4/6/1986 – 15/3/1987) Pinango retired Raul Perez (29/10/1988 – 25/2/1991). Perez (4) beat Miguel Lora (1) Greg Richardson (25/2/1991 – 19/9/1991) Joichiro Tatsuyoshi (19/9/1991 – 17/9/1992) Victor Rabanales (17/9/1992 – 28/3/1993) Jung-Il Byun (28/3/1993 – 23/12/1993) Yasuei Yakushiji (23/12/1993 – 30/7/1995) Wayne McCullough (30/7/1995 – 11/1/1997) McCullough moved up in weight Tim Austin (27/7/2002 – 15/2/2003). Austin (1) beat Adan Vargas (5) Rafael Marquez (15/2/2003 – 16/3/2007) Marquez moved up in weight Nonito Donaire (19/2/2011 – 24/11/2011). Donaire (5) beat Fernando Montiel (1) Donaire moved up in weight Anselmo Moreno (3/12/2011 – 26/9/2014). Moreno (1) beat Vic Darchinyan (4) Juan Carlos Payano (26/9/2014 – 18/6/2016) Rau’shee Warren (18/6/2016 – 10/2/2017) Zhanat Zhakiyanov (10/2/2017 – 21/10/2017) Ryan Burnett (21/10/2017 - Junior Bantam (115lbs) The division started life in 1980, but failed to receive proper recognition until September 1989 Gilberto Roman (12/9/1989 – 7/11/1989). Roman (1) beat Santos Laciar (4) Nana Yaw Konadu (7/11/1989 – 20/1/1990) Sung-Kil Moon (20/1/1990 – 13/11/1993) Jose Luis Bueno (13/11/1993 – 4/5/1994) Hiroshi Kawashima (4/5/1994 – 20/2/1997) Gerry Penalosa (20/2/1997 – 28/8/1998) In-Jin Cho (28/8/1998 – 27/8/2000) Masamori Tokuyama (27/8/2000 – 28/6/2004) Katsushige Kawashima (28/6/2004 – 18/7/2005) Masamori Tokuyama (18/7/2005 – 10/12/2006) Tokuyama moved up in weight Fernando Montiel (16/2/2008 – 2/2009). Montiel (5) beat Martin Castillo (1) Montiel moved up in weight Vic Darchinyan (2/2009 – 31/8/2010). Darchinyan had already unified the IBF/WBA/WBC titles Darchinyan moved up in weight Yota Sato (27/3/2012 – 3/5/2013). Sato (2) beat Suriyan Sor Rungvisai (3) Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (3/5/2013 – 31/5/2014) Carlos Cuadras (31/5/2014 – 10/9/2016) Roman Gonzalez (10/9/2016 – 18/3/2017) Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (18/3/2017 – Fly (112lbs) Jimmy Wilde (24/4/1916 – 18/6/1923). Wilde became the first universally recognised champion at the weight on beating Johnny Rosner Pancho Villa (18/6/1923 – 14/7/1925) Villa died Fidel LaBarba (21/1/1927 – 25/8/1927). LaBarba was universally recognised on beating Elky Clark LaBarba moved up in weight Emile Pladner (2/3/1929 – 18/4/1929). Pladner beat Frankie Genaro to unify the IBU/NBA versions of the title Frankie Genaro (18/4/1929 – 26/10/1931) Young Perez (26/10/1931 – 31/10/1932) Jackie Brown (31/10/1932 – 9/9/1935 Benny Lynch (9/9/1935 – 29/6/1938) Lynch moved up in weight Peter Kane (22/9/1938 – 8/5/1939) Kane moved up in weight Jackie Paterson (19/6/1943 – 23/3/1948). Paterson (1) beat the returning Peter Kane (2) Rinty Monaghan (23/3/1948 – 23/3/1950) Monaghan retired Terry Allen (25/4/1950 – 1/8/1950). Allen (2) defeated Honore Pratesi (1) to gain universal recognition Dado Marino (1/8/1950 – 19/5/1952) Yoshio Shirai (19/5/1952 – 26/11/1954) Pascual Perez (26/11/1954 – 16/4/1960) Pone Kingpetch (16/4/1960 – 10/10/1962) Fighting Harada (10/10/1962 – 12/1/1963) Pone Kingpetch (12/1/1963 – 18/9/1963) Hiroyuki Ebihara (18/9/1963 – 23/1/1964) Pone Kingpetch (23/1/1964 – 23/4/1965) Salvatore Burruni (23/4/1965 – 14/6/1966) Walter McGowan (14/6/1966 – 30/12/1966) Chartchai Chionoi (30/12/1966 – 23/2/1969) Efren Torres (23/2/1969 – 20/3/1970) Chartchai Chionoi (20/3/1970 – 7/12/1970) Erbito Salavarria (7/12/1970 – 9/2/1973) Venice Borkhorsor (9/2/1973 – 10/77/1973) Borkhorsor moved up in weight Miguel Canto (8/1/1975 – 18/3/1979). Canto (1) beat Oguma (2) Chan-He Park (18/3/1979 – 18/5/1980) Shoji Oguma (18/5/1980 – 12/5/1981) Jose Antonio Avelar (12/5/1981 – 20/3/1982) Prudencio Cardona (20/3/1982 – 24/7/1982) Freddy Castillo (24/7/1982 – 6/11/1982) Eleoncio Mercedes (6/11/1982 – 15/3/1983) Charlie Magri (15/3/1983 – 27/9/1983) Frank Cedeno (27/9/1983 – 18/1/1984) Koji Kobayashi (18/1/1984 – 9/4/1984) Gabriel Bernal (9/4/1984 – 8/10/1984) Sot Chitalada (8/10/1984 – 23/7/1988) Yong-Kang Kim (23/7/1988 – 3/6/1989) Sot Chitalada (3/6/1989 – 15/2/1991) Muangchai Kittikasem (15/2/1991 – 23/6/1992) Yuri Arbachakov (23/6/1992 – 12/11/1997) Chatchai Sasakul (12/11/1997 – 4/12/1998) Manny Pacquiao (4/12/1998 – 17/9/1999) Medgoen Singsurat (17/9/1999 – 19/5/2000) Malcolm Tunacao (19/5/2000 – 2/3/2001) Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (2/3/2001 – 18/7/2007) Daisuke Naito (18/7/2007 – 29/11/2009) Koki Kameda (29/11/2009 – 27/3/2010) Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (27/3/2010 – 2/3/2012) Sonny Boy Jaro (2/3/2012 – 16/7/2012) Toshiyuki Igarashi (16/7/2012 – 8/4/2013) Akira Yaegashi (8/4/2013 – 5/9/2014) Roman Gonzalez (5/9/2014 – 29/9/2016) Gonzalez moved up in weight Junior Fly (108lbs) Although starting life in 1975 it took until May 1991 for the division to receive universal recognition Myung-Woo Yuh (18/11/1992 – 20/9/1993). Yuh (1) beat Hiroki Ioka (4) Yuh retired Michael Carbajal (20/9/1993 – 19/2/1994). Carbajal had already unified the IBF/WBC titles Humberto Gonzalez (19/2/1994 – 15/7/1995) Saman Sorjaturong (15/7/1995 – 17/10/1999) Yo-Sam Choi (17/10/1999 – 6/7/2002) Jorge Arce (6/7/2002 – 18/12/2004) Arce moved up in weight Hugo Fidel Cazares (30/9/2006 – 25/8/2007). Cazares (1) beat Nelson Dieppa (2) Ivan Calderon (25/8/2007 – 28/8/2010) Giovani Segura (28/8/2010 – 5/4/2011) Segura moved up in weight Adrian Hernandez (30/4/2011 – 23/12/2011). Hernandez (1) beat Gilberto Keb Baas (2) Kompayak Porpramook (23/12/2011 – 6/10/2012) Adrian Hernandez (6/10/2012 – 6/4/2014) Naoya Inoue (6/4/2014 – 3/11/2014) Inoue moved up in weight Donnie Nietes (3/11/2014 – 3/8/2016). Nietes was the current Ring champion Nietes moved up in weight Ken Shiro (22/10/2017 - ). Shiro (1) beat Pedro Guevara (3) Mini Fly (105lbs) The weight class was not recognised by The Ring until October 1998 Ricardo Lopez (25/10/1990 – 1/9/1999). Lopez had already unified the WBC/WBO titles Lopez moved up in weight. Yutaka Niida (3/7/2004 – 15/9/2008). Niida (5) beat Noel Arambulet (1) Roman Gonzalez (15/9/2008 – 8/10/2010) Gonzalez moved up in weight Kazuto Ioka (20/6/2012 – 3/10/2012). Ioka unified the WBA/WBC titles when beating Akira Yaegashi Ioka moved up in weight Francisco Rodriguez Jnr (9/8/2014 – 9/10/2014). Rodriguez unified the IBF/WBO titles when beating Katsunari Takayama Rodriguez moved up in weight Katsunari Takayama (31/12/2014 – 31/12/2015). Takayama unified the IBF/WBO titles when defeating Go Odaira Jose Argumedo (31/12/2015 – 23/7/2017) Hiroto Kyoguchi (23/7/2017 –