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.
<
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.
New York State Athletic Commission
World Heavyweight Title [Pre-WBC]
* Bolded letters in the competitor's name, if any, indicate the surname/family name.
Jack Johnson
1911-08
Has defeated Tommy Burns for the world title on 08-12-26 in Sydney, NSW, AUS; recognized by NYSAC in 11-08 upon its inception.
Jess Willard
1915-04-05
Havana, CUB
Boxing becomes illegal in New York State when the Frawley law dies on 17-11-14 (The Buffalo Enquirer, 17-11-15).
Jack Dempsey
1920-03-25
Has defeated Willard on 19-07-04 in Toledo, OH; boxing is again legalized in New York State on 20-03-25 when the Walker Law is passed and NYSAC is reestablished (New York Tribune, 20-03-25).
Gene Tunney
1926-09-23
Philadelphia, PA
Vacant on 28-07-31 upon retirement.
Max Schmeling
1930-06-12
Bronx, NY
Defeats Jack Sharkey for NBA title and is officially recognized by NYSAC on 30-06-19 (The Brooklyn Citizen, 30-06-20); stripped of the title on 31-01-06 for refusing to fight Jack Sharkey (Daily News, New York, NY, 31-01-07); restored as the champion on 32-01-22 for agreeing to meet Sharkey (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, 32-01-23).
Jack Sharkey
1932-06-21
Long Island City, NY
Primo Carnera
1933-06-29
Long Island City, NY
Max Baer
1934-06-14
Long Island City, NY
Jim Braddock
1935-06-13
Long Island City, NY
Joe Louis
1937-06-22
Chicago, IL
Vacant on 49-02-28 upon (temporary) retirement.
Ezzard Charles
1950-09-27
New York, NY
Defeats Joe Louis.
Jersey Joe Walcott
1951-07-18
Pittsburgh, PA
Rocky Marciano
1952-09-23
Philadelphia, PA
Vacant on 56-04-27 upon retirement.
Floyd Patterson
1956-11-30
Chicago, IL
Defeats Archie Moore.
Ingemar Johansson
1959-06-26
Bronx, NY
Floyd Patterson [2]
1960-06-20
New York, NY
Sonny Liston
1963-07-22
Winchester, NV
Cassius Clay / Muhammad Ali
1964-02-25
Miami Beach, FL
Changes his name to Muhammad Ali in 64-03; stripped of the title on 67-04-28 when Ali refuses induction into the United States Army.
Joe Frazier
1968-03-04
New York, NY
Defeats Buster Mathis; also defeats WBA champion Jimmy Ellis in a unification match on 70-02-16 in New York, NY and is recognized by WBC to become the undisputed champion.
