The last unified lightweight champion's incredible story is always a path filled with challenges and triumphs. From incredible commitment and setting the highest standards to boasting supreme skill and mental strength, becoming a champion is no easy feat. Discover what it takes to achieve boxing greatness.
This article will run through everything you need to know about lightweight boxing and profile those who have conquered this discipline to achieve glory at the top of the sport.
What is a Unified Champion in Boxing?
A unified champion in boxing is a boxer who currently holds at least two of the world championships of the major sanctioning bodies in their division which include
- IBF (International Boxing Federation)
- WBA (World Boxing Association)
- WBC (World Boxing Council)
- WBO (World Boxing Organization)
In comparison, if a boxer is the undisputed champion, this means the fighter holds all four of the major championships which is a much more unique feat.
When it comes to placing a bet on boxing it is imperative you assess odds and conduct thorough research around the different divisions so that you can make smart and informed decisions from a place of authority. Be sure to look at the credentials of each fighter and see how they have performed in recent bouts. Boxing fans enjoy making a wager on the fight as it adds an extra thrill to the action and also increases personal interest.
What is a Lightweight Boxing Champion?
The sport of boxing is split into different weight classes. This is to ensure fairness so that fighters who weigh less don't come up against opponents are much heavier. By pairing fighters who are more equally matched in terms of weight, height and general physique, it means that the skill and performance are the key indicators when a boxer claims a bout.
When it comes to the lightweight division, fighters must be over 130 pounds (59 kilograms) and up to 135 pounds (61.2 kilograms). Ahead of fights, boxers undergo a weigh-in to ensure they are at the right weight to compete in the division. Some of the most famous and successful lightweight fighters include Manny Pacquiao, Ike Williams, Benny Leonard, Pernell Whittaker, Joe Gans and Roberto Duran.
Lightweight boxers are known for their athleticism, agility and endurance with swift moves around the ring making for some epic battles.
Has there ever been a Unified Lightweight Champion?
Devin Haney was the last unified lightweight champion, claiming all four lightweight titles in June 2022. In doing so, the now 25-year-old in San Francisco, California, became the youngest undisputed champion in the four belt era.
Haney became the WBC lightweight champions in October 2019 when he was elevated after Vasily Lomachenko was promoted to Franchise Champion. The fighter won his first title defence on the undercard of KSI vs Logan Paul II a month later when he defeated Alfredo Santiago by a unanimous decision.
After recovering from a shoulder injury which required surgery, Haney returned to the ring a year later by beating Yuriokis Gamboa at Hard Rock Live in Florida with two judges awarding the American every single round of the fight. In May 2021, Haney then made the third defense of his WBC lightweight title against former three-weight champion Jorge Linares who was now a veteran at 36. In what was considered his toughest test at that stage, Haney reigned supreme to claim victory.
Joseph Diaz, who had been scheduled to fight Ryan Garcia until his opponent withdrew due to a hand injury, was Haney's next challenger but was no match. Successfully defending his title again, the WBC champion then set his sights higher and declared after the fight 'Let's do it for all the belts. The real undisputed' and targeted unified champion George Kambosos Jr for all four major world titles in the lightweight division.
Haney defeated Kambosos Jr in Melbourne, Australia in 2022, with the judges all scoring in favor of him which saw the Las Vegas native become the first undisputed lightweight champion in the four-belt era. This bout though included an automatic rematch clause and the duo met again in October with Haney claiming another unanimous decision triumph.
Since then, Haney vacated all four of his belts in December 2023 when he moved up a weight division to super lightweight to fight Regis Prograis. Despite the step up, Haney claimed victory in the bout to became a two-weight world champion just a month after turning 25.
Why Does the WBA have Two Champions?
The WBA has two championships with one 'regular' champion and one 'super' champion. So, if a boxer claims the WBA title but then wins either of the IBF, WBC or WBO belts, the fighter is named the WBA 'super champion' which then leaves a spot for two fighters to compete for the newly-vacated 'regular' title.
This came about at the turn of the century when undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis had to give up his WBA belt when he elected to defend his unified title against Michael Grant instead of mandatory challenger John Ruiz. This move meant the that when a WBA champion unified their belt with that of another organisation, the super title would be utilized to allow fighters more leeway when it came to meeting the various mandatory requirements.
Who are the Current Lightweight Champions?
Gervonta Davis won the WBA title in November 2023 while Shakur Stevenson clinched the WBC belt in the same month. Vasily Lomachenko, meanwhile, claimed the IBF title in May 2024, six days before Denys Berinchyk won the WBO belt.
Who is the Longest Reigning World Lightweight Champion?
Benny Leonard holds the crown for the longest reigning world lightweight champion with his reign lasting seven years, seven months and 17 days between 1917 and 1925. Artur Grigorian is next in the list and just a month short of Leonard's record having held the WBO title through the nineties and into the new millennium. Jack McAuliffe and Roberto Duran are next on the list with reigns that lasted six years and seven months.
Summing Up
Becoming a unified boxing champion takes a great deal of skill, strength and discipline. Fighters aiming to reach the top of the sport must constantly train in order to build up the requisite capabilities to compete. With divisions set up regarding weight to ensure fairness so that bouts are decided by fighting ability as opposed to height, the lightweight division has produced some stunning fighters.
In modern times, Devin Haney from the United States has dominated the lightweight division with a run of impressive victories and became the undisputed champion by clinching all four belts.
