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In boxing, there are so many different champions and organizations that it can be confusing for new fans to keep up. You have lineal champions, unified champions, and undisputed champions.
To clear the confusion, we'll explain just what it means to be considered one of these champions - also listing some of the most notable undisputed champions of all time.
Let's dive in.
What is a Lineal Champion In Boxing?
A lineal champion is a boxer who beats the reigning and defending champion—specifically beating the former undisputed to become the new champion of a weight division.
What is a Unified Boxing Champion?
A unified boxing champion is a boxer who holds more than one world title, but not all four. They are the champions of two to three sanctioning bodies within their weight class.
What Is An Undisputed Boxing Champion?
To be an undisputed boxing champion, you must hold every title of the four major boxing organizations. Every pro boxer's goal is to hold every major belt simultaneously.
Those four major boxing organizations include:
- World Boxing Organization (WBO).
- World Boxing Council (WBC).
- International Boxing Federation (IBF).
- World Boxing Association (WBA).
Famous Undisputed Boxing Champions
There is a long list of undisputed champions in the history of boxing. Below we discuss some of the most notable undisputed champions within each weight division.
Different Criteria To Be An Undisputed Champion
The criteria of an undisputed champion has changed throughout the history of boxing. This is due to the inclusion of different boxing organizations and sanctioning bodies since 1921.
Throughout the history of boxing, there have been four criteria for being an undisputed boxing champion.
These include:
- 1st criteria(1921-1963): Holding the New York State Athletic Commission Title (NYSAC) the NBA title (renamed WBA in 1962).
- 2nd Criteria (1963-1983): Simultaneously holding the WBA and WBC world titles.
- 3rd Criteria (1983-2007): Boxers who held the WBA, WBC, and IBF world titles.
- 4th Criteria (Current): The current definition of an undisputed champion is holding the belts of the four major organizations.
