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.
Listed only to provide a historical information from the segregation era in the United States of America. This website has no intention of racial discrimination whatsoever.
John Banks
1885-11<
American champion at least since 84-11, also billed as the world champion by 85-11 (The Times, Philadelphia, PA, 85-11-22).
James Desverney
1887-01-26
New York, NY, USA
Never defends the title most likely.
Harris Martin
1887-05-02
Minneapolis, MN, USA
Claims the title after fighting Frank Taylor to a draw.
Ed Binney
1891-11-30
San Francisco, CA, USA
Charley Turner also claims the title after defeating Harris Martin on 92-02-29 in San Francisco, CA, USA but never defends it.
Joe Butler
1892-11-13
Philadelphia, PA, USA
Frank Craig
1894-02-20
Philadelphia, PA, USA
Never defends the title.
George Byers
1897-12-09
Waterbury, CT, USA
Defeats the Pacific Coast champion Harry Peppers and claims the world title; wins the heavyweight title on 98-09-24.
