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 Light Heavyweight Title [Pre-WBC]
* Bolded letters in the competitor's name, if any, indicate the surname/family name.
Bob Moha
1913-08
Has defeated Johnny Thompson on 13-02-17 in Wisconsin, WI to claim the title; recognized by NYSAC in 13-08.
Jack Dillon
1914-06-15
Butte, MT
Has claimed the title since defeating Battling Levinsky on 14-04-14 in Butte, MT; defeats Moha on 14-06-15.
Battling Levinsky #
1916-10-24
Boston, MA
Defeats Dillon but is generally recognized as American champion; boxing becomes illegal in New York State on 17-11-14 when the Frawley law dies (The Buffalo Enquirer, 17-11-15); legalized again in New York on 20-03-25 when the Walker Law is passed and NYSAC is reestablished (New York Tribune, 20-03-25).
Georges Carpentier
1920-10-12
Jersey City, NJ
European champion, defeats American champion Levinsky to be recognized as the world champion (Edmonton Journal, Edmonton, AB, CAN, 20-10-13).
Battling Siki
1922-09-24
Paris, FRA
Mike McTigue
1923-03-17
Dublin, IRE
Paul Berlenbach
1925-05-30
Bronx, NY
Jack Delaney
1926-07-16
Brooklyn, NY
Vacates on 27-07-26 to move up to the heavyweight class.
Mike McTigue
1927-07-26
Awarded after his title match against Delaney scheduled on 27-08-11 is cancelled when Delaney vacates the title.
Tommy Loughran
1927-10-07
New York, NY
Vacates on 29-09-03 when Loughran moves up to the heavyweight class (United Press, 29-09-04).
Jimmy Slattery
1930-02-10
Buffalo, NY
Defeats Lou Scozza.
Maxie Rosenbloom
1930-06-25
Buffalo, NY
Bob Olin
1934-11-16
New York, NY
John Henry Lewis
1935-10-31
St. Louis, MO
Stripped of the title on 38-07-28 for failing to accept the challenge filed by Jack Fox.
Melio Bettina
1939-02-03
New York, NY
Defeats Jack Fox.
Billy Conn
1939-07-13
New York, NY
Vacates on 41-06-03 when Conn moves up to the heavyweight class.
Gus Lesnevich
1941-08-26
New York, NY
Defeats Tami Mauriello.
Freddie Mills
1948-07-26
London, ENG, GBR
Joey Maxim
1950-01-24
London, ENG, GBR
Archie Moore
1952-12-17
St. Louis, MO
Stripped of the title on 62-02-09.
Harold Johnson
1962-05-12
Philadelphia, PA
Defeats Doug Johnson; named the first WBC champion on 63-02-14.
