While World title’s are doled out far to easily these days and they don’t mean as much as they did in bygone years. A look at the top 10 guys provides a useful insight into some of the best fighters to ever lace gloves. While some fighters like Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya & Manny Pacquiao to name but three made names for themselves winning world title’s in multiple weights others like those on the list below achieved just as much but went about it in a different way.
Many fighters can win World titles and even make a few defence’s before being found out. Not many guys can take part in a better part of a Quarter of a century of World title fights without being seriously gifted.
Here’s a closer look at the Top 10 Fighters to engage in the most World title fights in History.
37 Julio Cesar Chavez 31-4-2(21) Mexican Icon engaged in 10 more World title fights than any other fight in history. Won the titles at 3 weighs from 130 to 140 stretching a mammoth 16 years from 1984 to 2000.
27 Joe Louis 26-1(22) “The Brown Bomber” holds the record for most title defence’s 25 and the longest uninterrupted reign 13 years 3 months in one weight class.
26 Ricardo Lopez 25-0-1(19) Half of the long reigning WBC Strawweight champion’s fights were World title fights. Even stepped up late in his career to become a two weight champion.
25 Roy Jones 22-3(15) Many believe the 4 weight former World Champion is one of the very best fighters ever beating Hopkins, Toney, McCullum, Tarver amongst others in Championship bouts.
25 Muhammad Ali 22-3(14) The self proclaimed “Greatest” enjoyed two lengthy reigns that help him post the numbers he needed to get on the list. Beat a who’s who from the Golden age of Heavyweights.
25 Bernard Hopkins 20-3-1(13) 1 No Con. Like Frank Sinatra he did it his way. Pretty much untouchable at Middleweight for 10 years when he cleaned out the 160 class.
25 Larry Holmes 20-5(14) Many unfairly believe he bridged the heavyweight division between Ali & Tyson. He was a highly competent Heavyweight in his own right who fought behind one of the best jabs ever.
25 Terry Norris 19-6(14) Supremely gifted Texan beat many top fighters during three championship reigns at 154 only let down by ill discipline and his chin.
25 Henry Armstrong 22-3(17) Did the almost unthinkable winning titles at 126, 135 & 147 in the days when there were on 8 weight classes.
24 Azumah Nelson 18-4-2(12) “The Professor” lost his first title fight but rebounded to become a 2 weight champion and one of the Greatest fighters ever from Africa.
24 Hilario Zapata 18-5-1(4) Smooth boxing southpaw had just 8 of 24 championship fights at home in Panama, fighting regularly on the road. Twice held the WBC 108 belt before moving up to claim the WBA 112.
Narrowly missing the cut were a host of other greats including Wilfredo Gomez who had 23 world title fights going 20-3(18) & Pernell Whitaker 19-3-1(4). On 22 were Sven Ottke 22-0(5), Eusebio Pedroza 19-2-1(11), Alexis Arguello 19-3(17), Ratanapol Sor Voraphin 19-3(16) &Roberto Duran 16-6(13). Still active Pongsaklek Wongjongkam will hope to add to his 21 championship bouts where he’s gone 19-1-1(8),with Felix Trinidad 20-1(16). On 20 Khaosai Galaxy 20-0(17), Wilfredo Vazquez 16-3-1(9) & Shane Mosley 15-5(11) who will hope he can still climb higher. Just a couple of fights away is a certain Floyd Mayweather on 18-0(9) who could also climb higher.
