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.
World Heavyweight Title [unlineal / disputed versions]
* Bolded letters in the competitor's name, if any, indicate the surname/family name.
Bob Fitzsimmons
1896-02-21
Coahuila de Zaragoza, MEX
Defeats Peter Maher to claim the title after world champion Jim Corbett temporarily retires in 95; defeats Corbett on 97-03-17 for the lineal title.
Tom Sharkey
1896-12-02
San Francisco, CA, USA
Referee Wyatt Earp disqualifies Fitzsimmons and awards the victory to Sharkey in a controversial manner.
James J. Jeffries
1899-11-03
Brooklyn, NY, USA
Has defeated Bob Fitzsimmons on 99-06-09 for the lineal title; defeats Sharkey on 99-11-03.
Sam Langford
1909-05-24
London, ENG, GBR
Billed as American champion, defeats English champion William Ian Hague, substituting for the world champion Jack Johnson; originally scheduled for the English Title, but Langford is recognized as the world champion by NSC after the match (Jersey Independent and Daily Telegraph, Saint Helier, Jersey, ENG, GBR, 09-07-03); also holds the world middleweight title.
Lee Savold
1950-06-06
London, ENG, GBR
Defeats Bruce Woodcock for the vacant BBBofC recognition.
Joe Louis
1951-06-16
New York, NY, USA
Officially recognized by BBBofC on 51-06-20 (Daily Mirror, London, 51-06-21) but listed as a former champion on 51-07-05 (his recognition may be withdrawn for refusing to fight Hein Ten Hoff in Berlin, GER).
