Heavyweight Boxing Titles Explained: How Many Belts Are There?

Boxing can be a complicated sport to follow, especially when it comes to world champions. Unlike football, where there is only one reigning World Cup winner (currently Argentina), or the Olympics, where each event crowns a single gold medalist, boxing features multiple champions across different weight classes.

In heavyweight boxing, there are four major sanctioning bodies, each awarding its own world title:

• WBA (World Boxing Association) – Established in 1962
• WBC (World Boxing Council) – Established in 1963
• IBF (International Boxing Federation) – Established in 1983
• WBO (World Boxing Organization) – Established in 1988

So why are there four different world titles instead of one universally recognized champion? The simple answer: money. Every world title fight generates revenue through TV rights, sponsorships, and event promotions, making multiple championship belts a lucrative setup for promoters and organizations alike.

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How Many Heavyweight Belts Are There in Boxing?

The answer to this often-asked question is four—the heavyweight division has four recognized world championship belts, each sanctioned by a different governing body. But how did these organizations come to exist, and where do they stand in the sport’s hierarchy? Let’s break it down.

1 of 4 – WBA (World Boxing Association)

The WBA is the oldest of boxing’s four major sanctioning bodies, founded in 1962. It has been responsible for some of the most legendary fights in the sport’s history, including the iconic "Thrilla in Manila" between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, and the "Rumble in the Jungle", where Ali shocked the world by stopping George Foreman.

Ali, known for his skill, charisma, and razor-sharp wit, made history under the WBA banner and remains one of boxing’s most celebrated champions. As he famously put it:

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. The hands can’t hit what the eyes can’t see."

The WBA has played a role in shaping the careers of countless world champions, making it a cornerstone of the modern boxing landscape.

‍2 of 4 – WBC (World Boxing Council)

Established in 1963, the WBC is widely regarded as the most prestigious of the four sanctioning bodies. With a long history of legendary champions, it has held a special place in boxing culture.

Its list of past titleholders reads like a Hall of Fame induction class, featuring names like Joe Frazier, Floyd Mayweather, Saul "Canelo" Álvarez, and Sugar Ray Leonard. The WBC is known for its signature green belt, a coveted prize that many fighters dream of holding.

3 of 4 – IBF (International Boxing Federation)

The IBF emerged in 1983, taking over from the United States Boxing Association (USBA). Its first-ever world champion was Marvin Camel, a former WBC cruiserweight titleholder.

The IBF now governs 17 weight divisions, from minimumweight to heavyweight, where it has crowned multiple champions. Anthony Joshua is one of the IBF’s most notable recent heavyweight titleholders.

4 of 4 – WBO (World Boxing Organization)

The WBO was founded in 1988 after a dispute led Puerto Rican and Dominican members to break away from the WBA. Despite being the youngest of the four sanctioning bodies, it has gained credibility over time, thanks to the champions who have held its belt.

Boxers such as Chris Eubank, Naseem Hamed, Johnny Tapia, and Billy Joe Saunders helped boost the WBO’s profile, while Joseph Parker became one of its recognized heavyweight titleholders.

‍Undisputed Heavyweight Champions – Boxing’s Ultimate Achievement

Being the undisputed World Heavyweight champion is the ultimate aim for any boxer because it doesn't matter which belt is held in the highest esteem; the undisputed champ has them all. We're talking about past holders, the likes of Muhammad Ali, Buster Douglas, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Sonny Liston, Mike Tyson, who once said, “You never lose until you actually give up”, and the latest - Oleksandr Usyk. Some of these guys rate among the best heavyweights of all time.

But the boxer who managed to hold on to the undisputed title the longest was the great Joe Louis. He was the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world for 12 years.