Cruiserweight Rankings Archive | December 2003

Note: The WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO December 2003 rankings are not available.

Rank	RINGDecember 2003
	Vacant
1	James Toney
2	Vassiliy Jirov
3	Jean Marc Mormeck
4	Wayne Braithwaite
5	Johnny Nelson
6	Guillermo Jones
7	O'Neil Bell
8	Ezra Sellers
9	Sebastian Rothmann
10	Virgil Hill

Sources

December 2003 archive

Box-Rank presents each published list in a consistent format. Browse this division and its archive, read the methodology, or see how Box-Rank differs from BoxRec.

WBA Cruiserweight Title History

Champions who have held each belt, from oldest to most recent. Title history only goes back as far as our earliest WBA monthly rankings (January 2000).

WBA Cruiserweight - Super Champion

David Benavidez

2 May 2026Current

5 months

Became champion: 2 May 2026

Won the title by knocking out Gilberto Ramirez in the sixth round in Las Vegas, also taking his WBO title.

First shown in May 2026 rankingsView source

Gilberto Ramirez

4 November 20242 May 2026

1 year 7 months

Became champion: 4 November 2024

Listed as Super Champion in the WBA October 2024 ratings posted on 4 November.

First shown in November 2024 rankingsView source

Arsen Goulamirian

1 September 201930 March 2024

4 years 7 months

Became champion: 1 September 2019

Promoted to Super Champion on the WBA August 2019 ratings posted on 1 September.

First shown in September 2019 rankingsView source

Denis Lebedev

April 2019June 2019

3 months

Oleksandr Usyk

21 July 201827 March 2019

9 months

Became champion: 21 July 2018

Won the title by unanimous decision against Murat Gassiev in Moscow.

First shown in July 2018 rankingsView source

Murat Gassiev

3 February 201821 July 2018

6 months

Became champion: 3 February 2018

Won the unified title by defeating Yuniel Dorticos.

First shown in February 2018 rankingsView source

Denis Lebedev

21 May 20163 February 2018

1 year 10 months

Became champion: 21 May 2016

Won the super title by defeating Victor Ramirez while already holding the regular title.

First shown in May 2016 rankingsView source

David Haye

10 November 200719 June 2008

8 months

Became champion: 10 November 2007

Won the title by defeating Jean Marc Mormeck.

First shown in November 2007 rankingsView source

Jean Marc Mormeck

17 March 200710 November 2007

9 months

Became champion: 17 March 2007

Regained the title by defeating O'Neil Bell.

First shown in March 2007 rankingsView source

O'Neil Bell

7 January 200617 March 2007

1 year 3 months

Became champion: 7 January 2006

Won the title by defeating Jean Marc Mormeck.

First shown in January 2006 rankingsView source

Jean Marc Mormeck

2 April 20057 January 2006

10 months

Became champion: 2 April 2005

Won the unified title by defeating Wayne Braithwaite.

First shown in April 2005 rankingsView source

WBA Cruiserweight - World Champion

Jai Opetaia

12 September 2026Current

1 month

Became champion: 12 September 2026

Won the WBA world title by stopping Norair Mikaeljan in the ninth round in Las Vegas.

First shown in September 2026 rankingsView source

Gilberto Ramirez

30 March 20244 November 2024

9 months

Became champion: 30 March 2024

Won the title by unanimous decision against Arsen Goulamirian in Inglewood.

First shown in March 2024 rankingsView source

Ryad Merhy

29 January 202112 August 2022

1 year 8 months

Became champion: 29 January 2021

Promoted from interim champion after Beibut Shumenov was stripped.

First shown in January 2021 rankingsView source

Beibut Shumenov

1 September 201929 January 2021

1 year 5 months

Became champion: 1 September 2019

Reinstated as regular champion when Arsen Goulamirian was promoted to Super Champion.

First shown in September 2019 rankingsView source

Arsen Goulamirian

31 May 20191 September 2019

5 months

Became champion: 31 May 2019

Promoted from interim champion after Beibut Shumenov was stripped.

First shown in May 2019 rankingsView source

Beibut Shumenov

7 July 201831 May 2019

11 months

Became champion: 7 July 2018

Won the regular title by defeating Hizni Altunkaya.

First shown in July 2018 rankingsView source

Yuniel Dorticos

20 June 20173 February 2018

9 months

Became champion: 20 June 2017

Promoted from interim champion after Beibut Shumenov vacated the regular title.

First shown in June 2017 rankingsView source

Beibut Shumenov

21 May 201620 June 2017

1 year 2 months

Became champion: 21 May 2016

Won the regular title by defeating Junior Anthony Wright.

First shown in May 2016 rankingsView source

Denis Lebedev

18 October 201321 May 2016

2 years 8 months

Became champion: 18 October 2013

Reinstated as champion after Guillermo Jones was stripped for a positive drug test.

First shown in October 2013 rankingsView source

Guillermo Jones

17 May 201318 October 2013

6 months

Became champion: 17 May 2013

Won the title by knocking out Denis Lebedev in the eleventh round in Moscow.

First shown in May 2013 rankingsView source

Denis Lebedev

30 October 201217 May 2013

8 months

Became champion: 30 October 2012

Promoted from interim champion after Guillermo Jones was placed champion in recess.

First shown in October 2012 rankingsView source

Guillermo Jones

27 September 200830 October 2012

4 years 2 months

Became champion: 27 September 2008

Won the title by defeating Firat Arslan.

First shown in September 2008 rankingsView source

Firat Arslan

24 November 200727 September 2008

11 months

Became champion: 24 November 2007

Won the regular title by defeating Virgil Hill.

First shown in November 2007 rankingsView source

Virgil Hill

27 January 200624 November 2007

1 year 11 months

Became champion: 27 January 2006

Won the regular title by defeating Valery Brudov.

First shown in January 2006 rankingsView source

Jean Marc Mormeck

23 February 20022 April 2005

3 years 3 months

Became champion: 23 February 2002

Won the title by defeating Virgil Hill.

First shown in February 2002 rankingsView source

Virgil Hill

9 December 200023 February 2002

1 year 3 months

Became champion: 9 December 2000

Won the title by defeating Fabrice Tiozzo.

First shown in December 2000 rankingsView source

Fabrice Tiozzo

8 November 19979 December 2000

3 years 2 months

Became champion: 8 November 1997

Won the title by defeating Nate Miller.

First shown in January 2000 rankingsView source

WBA Cruiserweight - Interim Champion

Yoan Pablo Hernandez

12 February 2011September 2011

8 months

Became champion: 12 February 2011

Won the interim title by knocking out Steve Herelius in the seventh round.

First shown in February 2011 rankingsView source

Steve Herelius

3 July 201012 February 2011

8 months

Became champion: 3 July 2010

Won the vacant interim title when Firat Arslan retired at the end of the eleventh round.

First shown in July 2010 rankingsView source

Firat Arslan

16 June 200724 November 2007

6 months

Became champion: 16 June 2007

Won the interim title by split decision against Valery Brudov.

First shown in June 2007 rankingsView source

Valery Brudov

2 December 200616 June 2007

7 months

Became champion: 2 December 2006

Won the interim title by stopping Luis Andres Pineda in Paris.

First shown in December 2006 rankingsView source

WBA Cruiserweight Title History

WBC Cruiserweight Title History

Champions who have held each belt, from oldest to most recent. Title history only goes back as far as our earliest WBC monthly rankings (August 2008).

WBC Cruiserweight - Champion

Michal Cieslak

14 September 2026Current

2 months

Became champion: 14 September 2026

Became World Champion following a WBC ruling over sanctioning arrangements for Noel Mikaelyan versus Jai Opetaia, ordered to defend against David Benavidez, with the winner to face Opetaia.

First shown in October 2026 rankingsView source

Norair Mikaeljan

13 December 202514 September 2026

10 months

Became champion: 13 December 2025

Regained the title by unanimous decision against Badou Jack in their Los Angeles rematch.

First shown in February 2026 rankingsView source

Badou Jack

11 December 202413 December 2025

1 year 1 month

Became champion: 11 December 2024

Reinstated as champion after Norair Mikaeljan was placed champion in recess for inactivity.

First shown in February 2025 rankingsView source

Norair Mikaeljan

4 November 202311 December 2024

1 year 2 months

Became champion: 4 November 2023

Won the title by defeating Ilunga Junior Makabu.

First shown in November 2023 rankingsView source

Badou Jack

26 February 20234 November 2023

10 months

Became champion: 26 February 2023

Won the title by defeating Ilunga Junior Makabu.

First shown in April 2023 rankingsView source

Ilunga Junior Makabu

31 January 202026 February 2023

3 years 2 months

Became champion: 31 January 2020

Won the vacant title by defeating Michal Cieslak.

First shown in February 2022 rankingsView source

Tony Bellew

29 May 201628 March 2017

11 months

Became champion: 29 May 2016

Won the vacant title by defeating Ilunga Junior Makabu.

First shown in August 2016 rankingsView source

Grigory Drozd

27 September 201429 May 2016

1 year 9 months

Became champion: 27 September 2014

Won the title by defeating Krzysztof Wlodarczyk.

First shown in May 2015 rankingsView source

Krzysztof Wlodarczyk

15 May 201027 September 2014

4 years 5 months

Became champion: 15 May 2010

Won the title by defeating Giacobbe Fragomeni.

First shown in August 2010 rankingsView source

Giacobbe Fragomeni

24 October 200815 May 2010

1 year 8 months

Became champion: 24 October 2008

Won the vacant title by defeating Rudolf Kraj.

First shown in March 2009 rankingsView source

WBC Cruiserweight - Interim Champion

Michal Cieslak

July 202514 September 2026

1 year 3 months

WBC Cruiserweight Title History

IBF Cruiserweight Title History

Champions who have held each belt, from oldest to most recent. Title history only goes back as far as our earliest IBF monthly rankings (December 2005).

IBF Cruiserweight - Champion

Jai Opetaia

18 May 202419 March 2026

1 year 11 months

Became champion: 18 May 2024

Won the vacant title by defeating Mairis Briedis.

First shown in May 2024 rankingsView source

Jai Opetaia

2 July 202218 December 2023

1 year 6 months

Became champion: 2 July 2022

Won the title by unanimous decision over Mairis Briedis on the Gold Coast.

First shown in July 2022 rankingsView source

Mairis Briedis

26 September 20202 July 2022

1 year 11 months

Became champion: 26 September 2020

Won the title by defeating Yuniel Dorticos.

First shown in September 2020 rankingsView source

Yuniel Dorticos

15 June 201926 September 2020

1 year 4 months

Became champion: 15 June 2019

Won the vacant title by defeating Andrew Tabiti.

First shown in June 2019 rankingsView source

Oleksandr Usyk

21 July 201815 June 2019

1 year

Became champion: 21 July 2018

Won the title by unanimous decision against Murat Gassiev in Moscow.

First shown in July 2018 rankingsView source

Murat Gassiev

3 December 201621 July 2018

1 year 8 months

Became champion: 3 December 2016

Won the title by defeating Denis Lebedev.

First shown in December 2016 rankingsView source

Denis Lebedev

21 May 20163 December 2016

8 months

Became champion: 21 May 2016

Won the title by defeating Victor Ramirez.

First shown in May 2016 rankingsView source

Victor Ramirez

22 September 201521 May 2016

9 months

Became champion: 22 September 2015

Promoted from interim champion after Yoan Pablo Hernandez was stripped.

First shown in September 2015 rankingsView source

Yoan Pablo Hernandez

1 October 201122 September 2015

4 years

Became champion: 1 October 2011

Won the title by defeating Steve Cunningham.

First shown in October 2011 rankingsView source

Steve Cunningham

5 June 20101 October 2011

1 year 5 months

Became champion: 5 June 2010

Won the vacant title by defeating Troy Ross.

First shown in June 2010 rankingsView source

Tomasz Adamek

11 December 200818 October 2009

11 months

Became champion: 11 December 2008

Won the title by defeating Steve Cunningham.

First shown in January 2009 rankingsView source

Steve Cunningham

26 May 200711 December 2008

1 year 8 months

Became champion: 26 May 2007

Won the title by defeating Krzysztof Wlodarczyk.

First shown in June 2007 rankingsView source

Krzysztof Wlodarczyk

25 November 200626 May 2007

7 months

Became champion: 25 November 2006

Won the vacant title by defeating Steve Cunningham.

First shown in December 2006 rankingsView source

O'Neil Bell

20 May 20056 April 2006

1 year

Became champion: 20 May 2005

Won the title by defeating Dale Brown.

First shown in December 2005 rankingsView source

IBF Cruiserweight Title History

WBO Cruiserweight Title History

Champions who have held each belt, from oldest to most recent. Title history only goes back as far as our earliest WBO monthly rankings (January 2000).

WBO Cruiserweight - Super Champion

Oleksandr Usyk

24 July 20185 June 2019

1 year

Became champion: 24 July 2018

Designated Super Champion by the WBO Championship Committee resolution of 24 July 2018 after he unified the cruiserweight titles.

First shown in August 2018 rankingsView source

Marco Huck

November 2014September 2015

11 months

WBO Cruiserweight - Champion

David Benavidez

2 May 2026Current

5 months

Became champion: 2 May 2026

Won the title by knocking out Gilberto Ramirez in the sixth round.

First shown in May 2026 rankingsView source

Gilberto Ramirez

16 November 20242 May 2026

1 year 7 months

Became champion: 16 November 2024

Won the title by defeating Chris Billam-Smith.

First shown in November 2024 rankingsView source

Chris Billam-Smith

27 May 202316 November 2024

1 year 7 months

Became champion: 27 May 2023

Won the title by defeating Lawrence Okolie.

First shown in June 2023 rankingsView source

Lawrence Okolie

20 March 202127 May 2023

2 years 3 months

Became champion: 20 March 2021

Won the title by defeating Krzysztof Glowacki.

First shown in April 2021 rankingsView source

Mairis Briedis

15 June 201925 November 2019

6 months

Became champion: 15 June 2019

Won the title by defeating Krzysztof Glowacki.

First shown in June 2019 rankingsView source

Oleksandr Usyk

17 September 201624 July 2018

1 year 11 months

Became champion: 17 September 2016

Won the title by unanimous decision against Krzysztof Glowacki in Gdansk.

First shown in September 2016 rankingsView source

Krzysztof Glowacki

14 August 201517 September 2016

1 year 2 months

Became champion: 14 August 2015

Won the title by defeating Marco Huck.

First shown in September 2015 rankingsView source

Marco Huck

29 August 2009November 2014

5 years 4 months

Became champion: 29 August 2009

Won the title by unanimous decision against Victor Ramirez in Halle.

First shown in September 2009 rankingsView source

Victor E. Ramirez

17 January 200929 August 2009

8 months

Became champion: 17 January 2009

Won the interim title by stopping Alexander Alekseev and was recognized as champion.

First shown in February 2009 rankingsView source

David Haye

8 March 200814 July 2008

5 months

Became champion: 8 March 2008

Won the title by defeating Enzo Maccarinelli.

First shown in March 2008 rankingsView source

Enzo Maccarinelli

22 September 20068 March 2008

1 year 7 months

Became champion: 22 September 2006

Promoted from interim champion after Johnny Nelson retired.

First shown in October 2006 rankingsView source

Johnny Nelson

27 March 199922 September 2006

7 years 7 months

Became champion: 27 March 1999

Won the title by stopping Carl Thompson.

First shown in January 2000 rankingsView source

WBO Cruiserweight - Interim Champion

Krzysztof Glowacki

November 2018June 2019

8 months

Ola Afolabi

3 March 2012June 2013

1 year 4 months

Became champion: 3 March 2012

Won the vacant interim title by stopping Valery Brudov in the fifth round in Dusseldorf.

First shown in March 2012 rankingsView source

WBO Cruiserweight Title History

RING Cruiserweight Title History

Champions who have held each belt, from oldest to most recent. Title history only goes back as far as our earliest RING monthly rankings (January 1984).

RING Cruiserweight - Champion

Jai Opetaia

2 July 2022Current

4 years 4 months

Became champion: 2 July 2022

Won the Ring and IBF cruiserweight titles by unanimous decision over Mairis Briedis on the Gold Coast.

First shown in July 2022 rankingsView source

Mairis Briedis

26 September 20202 July 2022

1 year 11 months

Became champion: 26 September 2020

Won the vacant title by defeating Yuniel Dorticos.

First shown in October 2020 rankingsView source

Oleksandr Usyk

21 July 201816 October 2019

1 year 4 months

Became champion: 21 July 2018

Won the title by defeating Murat Gassiev.

First shown in July 2018 rankingsView source

Yoan Pablo Hernandez

4 February 201223 November 2015

3 years 10 months

Became champion: 4 February 2012

Won the vacant title by defeating Steve Cunningham.

First shown in February 2012 rankingsView source

Tomasz Adamek

11 December 200810 February 2010

1 year 3 months

Became champion: 11 December 2008

Won the vacant title by defeating Steve Cunningham.

First shown in December 2008 rankingsView source

David Haye

10 November 200730 June 2008

8 months

Became champion: 10 November 2007

Won the title by defeating Jean Marc Mormeck.

First shown in November 2007 rankingsView source

Jean Marc Mormeck

17 March 200710 November 2007

9 months

Became champion: 17 March 2007

Regained the title by defeating O'Neil Bell.

First shown in March 2007 rankingsView source

O'Neil Bell

7 January 200617 March 2007

1 year 3 months

Became champion: 7 January 2006

Won the title by defeating Jean Marc Mormeck.

First shown in January 2006 rankingsView source

Jean Marc Mormeck

2 April 20057 January 2006

10 months

Became champion: 2 April 2005

Won the vacant title by defeating Wayne Braithwaite.

First shown in May 2005 rankingsView source

Carlos De Leon

22 March 198630 March 1987

1 year 1 month

Became champion: 22 March 1986

Regained the title by defeating Bernard Benton.

First shown in March 1986 rankingsView source

Bernard Benton

21 September 198522 March 1986

7 months

Became champion: 21 September 1985

Won the title by defeating Alfonzo Ratliff.

First shown in September 1985 rankingsView source

Alfonzo Ratliff

6 June 198521 September 1985

4 months

Became champion: 6 June 1985

Won the title by defeating Carlos De Leon.

First shown in June 1985 rankingsView source

Carlos De Leon

3 February 19846 June 1985

1 year 5 months

Became champion: 3 February 1984

Awarded the inaugural Ring cruiserweight title.

First shown in February 1984 rankingsView source

RING Cruiserweight Title History

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Cruiserweight boxing rankings- December 2003

WBA Cruiserweight Title History

WBA Cruiserweight - Super Champion

WBA Cruiserweight - World Champion

WBA Cruiserweight - Interim Champion

WBA Cruiserweight Title History

WBC Cruiserweight Title History

WBC Cruiserweight - Champion

WBC Cruiserweight - Interim Champion

WBC Cruiserweight Title History

IBF Cruiserweight Title History

IBF Cruiserweight - Champion

IBF Cruiserweight Title History

WBO Cruiserweight Title History

WBO Cruiserweight - Super Champion

WBO Cruiserweight - Champion

WBO Cruiserweight - Interim Champion

WBO Cruiserweight Title History

RING Cruiserweight Title History

RING Cruiserweight - Champion

RING Cruiserweight Title History

WBA Cruiserweight Title History

WBA Cruiserweight - Super Champion

WBA Cruiserweight - World Champion

WBA Cruiserweight - Interim Champion

WBC Cruiserweight Title History

WBC Cruiserweight - Champion

WBC Cruiserweight - Interim Champion

IBF Cruiserweight Title History

IBF Cruiserweight - Champion

WBO Cruiserweight Title History

WBO Cruiserweight - Super Champion

WBO Cruiserweight - Champion

WBO Cruiserweight - Interim Champion

RING Cruiserweight Title History

RING Cruiserweight - Champion