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🏠Home📊Rankings🔍Search🏆Champions

Heavyweight Boxing Rankings - December 1986

Heavyweight rankings for December 1986. Change division or month to compare rankings.

Division
Period
Org
RankWBAWBCIBFWBORINGDecember 1986
🏆
Not available for December 1986
Not available for December 1986
Not available for December 1986
Not available for December 1986
United States flagMichael Spinks
Champion

1United States flagMike Tyson▲+5
2United States flagTim WitherspoonNEW
3
4United States flagTony Tubbs
5Country flagTrevor Berbick▼-4
6Country flagJames Smith▼-1
7United States flagJames (buster) Douglas
8United States flagFrank Bruno EngandNEW
9Country flagTyrell BiggsNEW

Source: WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, RING

About the Heavyweight Division

Weight Limit: No upper limit (typically 200+ lbs / 90.7+ kg)

The Heavyweight division is boxing's most prestigious weight class, featuring the largest fighters in the sport. Historically, heavyweight champions have been among the most famous athletes in the world, with legendary figures like Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, and Mike Tyson defining eras of boxing history.

Division Characteristics

Heavyweight boxers rely on power and size, with knockouts being more common than in lighter divisions. The division has no upper weight limit, allowing for a wide range of body types and fighting styles.

Notable Facts

The Heavyweight division has produced some of boxing's most iconic moments and biggest pay-per-view events. Modern heavyweights combine size, power, and athleticism in ways that previous generations couldn't match.

Historical Context

Heavyweight boxing has been a cornerstone of professional boxing since the sport's early days. The division has evolved significantly, with modern heavyweights being faster and more athletic than their predecessors while maintaining devastating power.

Learn more about how boxing rankings work or explore current world champions across all divisions.

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Month-over-month changes since December 1986

RINGDecember 1986 vs November 1986

Entered the top 10

  • US flag
    Tim WitherspoonNow in the top 10 at #2
  • US flag
    Frank Bruno EngandEnters at #8
  • US flag
    Tyrell BiggsNow in the top 10 at #9

Dropped out of the top 10

  • US flag
    Pinklon ThomasPreviously held #2
  • US flag
    Larry HolmesPreviously held #3
  • US flag
    Tony TuckerLast ranked #8
  • US flag
    Frank BrunoLast ranked #9

Biggest risers

  • US flag
    Mike TysonImproved from #6 to #1
    ▲+5

Biggest fallers

  • CA flag
    Trevor BerbickFell from #1 to #5
    ▼-4
  • US flag
    James SmithFrom #5 to #6
    ▼-1