Light heavyweight
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- For the mixed martial arts division of the same name, see Light Heavyweight (MMA)
In boxing, the light heavyweight division is the weight division between cruiserweight over 175 pounds (79.4 kg) and super middleweight, 168 lb (76.4 kg). Throughout history this division's fighters have been overshadowed by the two more glamorous divisions it is sandwiched between. Nevertheless, the light heavyweight class has produced some of boxing's greatest champions; Archie Moore, Joey Maxim, Billy Conn, Roy Jones Jr., Michael Spinks and Bob Foster-to name a few.
Many light heavyweight champions unsuccessfully challenged for the heavyweight crown until Michael Spinks became the first reigning light heavyweight champion to win the heavyweight championship. Interestingly, Bob Fitzsimmons captured the light heavyweight championship after losing his heavyweight championship. Two all time great Heavyweight Champions Ezzard Charles and Floyd Patterson started out as light heavyweights, Charles defeating Archie Moore and Joey Maxim several times in non-title bouts before becoming heavyweight champion, and Patterson losing to Joey Maxim (though some thought Patterson should have won the fight) before becoming heavyweight champion himself.
The current Light heavyweight Champion is Bernard Hopkins. Hopkins won the belt from Antonio Tarver, in a completely one-sided fight on June 10, 2006 in what was supposed to be the last match of his career.
[edit] Olympic champions
- 1920 –
Eddie Eagan (USA) - 1924 –
Harry Mitchell (GBR) - 1928 –
Víctor Avendaño (ARG) - 1932 –
David Carstens (RSA) - 1936 –
Roger Michelot (FRA) - 1948 – George Hunter (RSA)
- 1952 – Norvel Lee (USA)
- 1956 – James Boyd (USA)
- 1960 –
Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) (USA) - 1964 –
Cosimo Pinto (ITA) - 1968 –
Danas Pozniakas (URS) - 1972 –
Mate Parlov (YUG) - 1976 – Leon Spinks (USA)
- 1980 – Slobodan Kacar (YUG)
- 1984 – Anton Josipovic (YUG)
- 1988 – Andrew Maynard (USA)
- 1992 –
Torsten May (GER) - 1996 –
Vassiliy Jirov (KAZ) - 2000 –
Aleksandr Lebziak (RUS) - 2004 – Andre Ward (USA)
[edit] Professional Champions
[edit] See also
| Weight divisions in boxing |
|---|
| Professional boxing |
| Strawweight | Light Flyweight | Flyweight | Super Flyweight | Bantamweight | Super Bantamweight | Featherweight | Super Featherweight | Lightweight | Light Welterweight | Welterweight | Light Middleweight | Middleweight | Super Middleweight | Light Heavyweight | Cruiserweight | Heavyweight |
| Olympic boxing |
| Light Flyweight | Flyweight | Bantamweight | Featherweight | Lightweight | Light Welterweight | Welterweight | Middleweight | Light Heavyweight | Heavyweight | Super Heavyweight |
