Following the name of the champion(s): Indicates the number of times the competitor has held that title at that point.
[...]
Indicates a gap in the listing where title changes are not known.
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Title was held or changed hands no later than this. In these cases, it is known that a competitor held the title at a certain time but not when he/she won it.
@
Order uncertain. Different titleholders may be known for the same year, for example, but it is not known who held the title before whom.
#
Unofficial or disputable claims. These are usually matches that certainly took place, but where there is doubt that the competitor shown should be recognized as a true title holder. These listings are also italicized.
International Boxing Federation
World Light Heavyweight Title
(as of 2025-09-14)
* Bolded letters in the competitor's name, if any, indicate the surname/family name.
Michael Spinks
1984-02-25
Atlantic City, NJ, USA
Defeats Eddie Davis; vacates on 85-11-05 to to move up to the heavyweight class.
Slobodan Kačar
1985-12-21
Pesaro, ITA
Defeats Eddie Mustafa Muhammad.
Bobby Czyz
1986-09-06
Las Vegas, NV, USA
Charles Williams
1987-10-29
Las Vegas, NV, USA
Henry Maske
1993-03-20
Düsseldorf, NW, GER
Virgil Hill
1996-11-23
Munich, BY, GER
Dariusz Michalczewski
1997-06-13
Oberhausen, NW, GER
Vacates on 97-06-16 after refusing to fight mandatory challenger William Guthrie.
William Guthrie
1997-07-19
Indio, CA, USA
Defeats Darrin Allen.
Reggie Johnson
1998-02-06
Uncasville, CT, USA
Roy Jones Jr.
1999-06-05
Biloxi, MS, USA
Also holds WBA World Title; also recognizd as WBC world champion in 2000-05; also wins IBO World Title on 00-09-09; vacates in 02-12 to challenge WBA heayvweight champion John Ruiz.
Antonio Tarver
2003-04-26
Mashantucket, CT, USA
Defeats Montell Griffin; vacates in 03-10 or 03-11.
Glen Johnson
2004-02-06
Sheffield, ENG, GBR
Defeats Clinton Woods; vacates on 04-11-05 after agreeing to fight Antonio Tarver instead of participating in a mandatory defense.
Clinton Woods
2005-03-04
Rotherham, GBR
Defeats Rico Hoye.
Antonio Tarver
2008-04-12
Tampa, FL, USA
Chad Dawson
2008-10-11
Las Vegas, NV, USA
Vacates on 09-05-27 after refusing to negotiate terms with mandatory challenger Tavoris Cloud.
