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For the mixed martial arts division of the same name, see Heavyweight (MMA). For the 1995 comedy film see Heavyweights. For wrestling see Wrestling weight classes; for judo, see Judo weight divisions; for kickboxing, see Kickboxing weight classes.

Heavyweight is a division, or weight class, in boxing. Fighters who weigh over 200 pounds (14 st 4 lb/91 kg) are considered heavyweights by the major professional boxing organizations, including the International Boxing Federation,^[1] the International Boxing Organization,^[2] the World Boxing Association,^[3], the World Boxing Council,^[4] and the World Boxing Organization.^[5]

Because this division has no maximum weight limit, it has been historically vaguely defined. In the 19th century, for example, many heavyweight champions weighed 170 pounds (12 st 2 lb, 77 kg) or less (although others weighed 200 pounds and more). In 1920, the minimum weight for a heavyweight was set at 175 pounds (12 st 7 lb, 79 kg), which today is the light heavyweight division maximum. Today, for most boxing organizations, the maximum weight for a cruiserweight is 200 pounds. Thus, a fighter whose weight is over 200 lbs may not fight as anything but a heavyweight

It is impossible to say who the "first" heavyweight champion was, since the sport of boxing goes back as far as recorded history and there have always been large fighters. Even in the bare-knuckle era, "champions" were plentiful. Some of the most notable of these included the slave Tom Molineaux, Jack Slack, Jem Belcher, Ben Caunt and Jem Mace. The first heavyweight champion under the Marquess of Queensberry rules was John L. Sullivan, known as "The Boston Strong Boy." He weighed around 200 pounds when in shape and was a bare-knuckle champion. He was defeated by Jim Corbett on September 7, 1892, in 21 rounds.

It should also be noted that in recent years, the heavyweight title has become fractured amongst various sanctioning organizations, and so what was once known as the single "Heavyweight Champion," is now referred to as the "Undisputed Champion" as the one fighter that has defeated all the other titlists.

The weight limit for the heavyweight class has varied over the years. Currently the division weight paramaters encompass anyone above 81 kgs to 91 kgs (178.56 pounds to 200.62 pounds) [1]. Formerly, this division allowed anyone above 178 pounds to fight as a heavyweight. However, in 1984, the super heavyweight class was introduced as the unlimited category. That division is for fighters who weigh over 91 kgs.

See also: Super heavyweight

• 1904 –  Samuel Berger (USA)
• 1908 –  Albert Oldman (GBR)
• 1920 –  Ronald Rawson (GBR)
• 1924 –  Otto von Porat (NOR)
• 1928 –  Arturo Rodríguez Jurado (ARG)
• 1932 –  Santiago Lovell (ARG)
• 1936 –  Herbert Runge (GER)
• 1948 –  Rafael Iglesias (ARG)
• 1952 –  Ed Sanders (USA)
• 1956 –  Pete Rademacher (USA)
• 1960 –  Franco De Piccoli (ITA)
• 1964 –  Joe Frazier (USA)
• 1968 –  George Foreman (USA)
• 1972 –  Teófilo Stevenson (CUB)
• 1976 –  Teófilo Stevenson (CUB)
• 1980 –  Teófilo Stevenson (CUB)
• 1984 –  Henry Tillman (USA)
• 1988 –  Ray Mercer (USA)
• 1992 –  Félix Savón (CUB)
• 1996 –  Félix Savón (CUB)
• 2000 –  Félix Savón (CUB)
• 2004 –  Odlanier Solis Fonte (CUB)

• List of heavyweight boxing champions

• International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) Heavyweight (Pro & Amateur) 195.1 lbs. - 215 lbs. or 88.7 kg - 97.7 kg.

• Boxing
• Boxing weight classes
• List of current world boxing champions