How many boxing belts are there? The different boxing belts explained

How many boxing belts are there? The different boxing belts explained

Kevin Omuya
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:27 PM

How many boxing belts are there? There are several boxing organisations, each with its world championship award. The four major organisations recognised in the sport of boxing are the World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Council (WBC), International Boxing Federation (IBF), and World Boxing Organization (WBO).

How many boxing belts are there?
Boxer Canelo Alvarez flexes during his weigh-in on November 5, 2021, at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Patrick T. Fallon.
Source: Getty Images

A single fighter currently governs no division due to the mixture of belts and champions. Only on rare occasions can a class be entirely unified to produce an undisputed champion. Boxers frequently compete in matches between weight divisions to increase their chances of winning, and Manny Pacquiao is the only boxer to have achieved this feat.

How many world heavyweight championship belts are there?

There are 17 weight classes in professional boxing and five major recognised awards for each of the divisions: The WBA (World Boxing Association), WBC (World Boxing Council), IBF (International Boxing Federation), WBO (World Boxing Organization) and The Ring. Several bodies award belts to each organisation which typically has multiple weight classes.

How many world heavyweight boxing belts are there?

Several awards could be awarded for each weight division. Some organisations also have "interim". Some can be "regular" champions, further complicating the cited number. Therefore, the exact number of awards can fluctuate, but each organisation can generally award several straps for each weight division.

Belts in kickboxing
Andre Ward celebrates victory in winning their WBA, IBF and WBO light heavyweight world championship fight on November 19, 2016, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: John Gurzinski.
Source: Getty Images

How many boxing belts are there in heavyweight?

The number awarded in the heavyweight division depends on which special commission or governing body recognises organisations. The four significant organisations (WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO) each award their heavyweight champions. So, up to four can be awarded in the heavyweight division.

It is worth noting that sometimes a boxer will hold multiple ones simultaneously if they have won them in different groups. In those cases, they may be considered the undisputed heavyweight champion.

How many boxing belts are there in total?

The number awarded depends on how many weight divisions are recognised by each significant group (IBF, WBO) and any other group that may award their champions. Generally, each will award a championship one for each weight division, ranging from minimum weight (105 lbs.) to heavyweight (200+ lbs.). So, if each group recognises the same weight divisions, up to 17 could be awarded across all weight divisions and organisations.

Belts in the heavyweight boxing division
Bernard Hopkins's Championship awards on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on June 1, 2011, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo: Gilbert Carrasquillo
Source: Getty Images

How many belts are there in the heavyweight boxing division?

In the heavyweight division, up to four can be awarded, one by each firm. However, it is worth noting that the number awarded can vary depending on which particular commission or governing body recognises organisations. Additionally, some may hold multiple ones simultaneously if they have won them in different firms.

How many world title belts are there in boxing?

Generally, each firm will award a world champion for each recognised weight division. This means that 68 world titles could be awarded across all firms and weight divisions if each organisation recognises the same weight divisions.

However, not all organisations recognise the same weight divisions. Some may have other leading world champions, such as interim or "regular" champions. Providing an exact count of the world title belts awarded can be challenging.

World heavyweight boxing belts
An official International Boxing Federation (IBF) Championship belt signed by boxing greats Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, and Hector Camacho in Beverly Hills on June 23, 2012. Photo: Robyn Beck
Source: Getty Images

How many world boxing belts are there?

The exact number can vary, but each organisation can award multiple ones in each weight division. As an estimate, up to 68 could be awarded across all weight divisions and organisations, assuming each organisation recognises—the same weight classes.

How many world title belts are there in boxing?
Sunny Edwards celebrates after the IBF International and WBO Intercontinental Flyweight Championship Title fight in London, England, on September 14, 2019. Photo: James Chance
Source: Getty Images

How many belts are there in kickboxing?

Kickboxing is a combat sport that features a mix of punching, kicking, and other striking techniques; like boxing, multiple organisations recognize and award championship belts in various weight classes. However, the number of belts awarded can vary between different organisations and styles of kickboxing.

The most prominent kickboxing organisations include:

  1. Glory Kickboxing: Glory Kickboxing is one of the largest kickboxing organisations in the world, and it recognises several weight classes for both men and women. They award a championship belt to the winner of each weight class.
  2. K-1: K-1 is a Japanese kickboxing organisation that recognises several weight classes for both men and women. They award a championship belt to the winner of each weight class.
  3. International Kickboxing Federation (IKF): The IKF is an international organisation that recognises several different kickboxing styles, including Full Contact, Muay Thai, and Low Kick. They award championship belts to winners of their events in various weight classes.
  4. World Kickboxing Association (WKA): The WKA is another international organisation recognising several different kickboxing styles. They award championship belts to winners of their events in various weight classes.

Therefore, the exact number of belts awarded in kickboxing can vary depending on the organisation and the weight classes recognised. However, each organisation will generally grant a championship belt to the winner of each weight class, similar to boxing.

Has anyone ever had all boxing belts?

Has anyone ever had all boxing belts?
Vergil Ortiz Jr. (C) poses with Oscar de la Hoya (R) and Bernard Hopkins after the victory against Michael McKinson at Dickies Arena on August 6, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo: Cris Esqueda
Source: Getty Images

A few boxers have held all .major world championships simultaneously, often called "undisputed champion" status. In the modern era of boxing, which dates back to the late 19th century, only a few boxers have accomplished this feat. Some of the most notable fighters who have held all four major world championship belts include:

  1. Bernard Hopkins - held all four major world championship belts at middleweight in 2004.
  2. Jermain Taylor - held all four major world championship belts at middleweight in 2005.
  3. Terence Crawford - held all four major world championship belts at super lightweight in 2017.
  4. Oleksandr Usyk - held all four major world championship belts at cruiserweight in 2018.

It is worth noting that not all boxers have the opportunity to become undisputed champions due to various factors, such as the number of organisations awarding champions and the willingness of other winners to fight each other. Nonetheless, becoming an undisputed champion is considered one of the most outstanding achievements in boxing.

How many boxing belts are there? The several sanctioning bodies that oversee the sport of boxing are one aspect that distinguishes it from other sports. The four central governing bodies for boxing are the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO. For the 17 boxing weight divisions, each organisation has its name for each category.

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Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.