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Heavyweight Boxing Rankings — December 2002

Official Heavyweight rankings for December 2002.

Presented as a historical snapshot for that month. Use the weight-class arrows to move up or down divisions, the month controls to jump between updates, and click any fighter's name to see their ranking history across the four organisations.

Division
Period
Org
RankWBADecember 2002WBCIBFWBODecember 2002
🏆United States flagJohn Ruiz
World Champion
Not available for December 2002
Not available for December 2002
Ukraine flagWladimir Klitschko
Champion

1Ukraine flagVitali Klitschko▲+1New Zealand flagDavid Tua▲+3
2New Zealand flagDavid Tua▲+1United States flagLamon Brewster▲+1
3United States flagHasim Rahman▲+1United States flagClifford Ettienne▲+2
4United States flagMike Tyson▲+1South Africa flagFrans Botha▲+2
5United States flagEvander Holyfield▼-4United Kingdom flagDanny Williams▲+2
6Puerto Rico flagFres Oquendo▲+3Cuba flagJuan Carlos Gomez▲+2
7Canada flagKirk Johnson▲+1United States flagJameel Ben McCline▼-6
8United States flagFarug Saleem▲+2United States flagKirk Johnson▲+2
9United States flagLamon Brewster▲+2United States flagLou Savarese
10United States flagJoe Mesi▲+3Puerto Rico flagFres Oquendo▲+1
11Cuba flagJuan Carlos GomezNEWUnited States flagHasim RahmanNEW
12Russia flagNikolai ValuevUnited States flagLance Whitaker
13United States flagJameel McCline▼-6Sweden flagAttila Levin
14United States flagLarry DonaldUnited States flagTommy Martin
15United Kingdom flagDanny WilliamsUnited States flagGeorge Kandelaki

Source: WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO

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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 November 2002

WBADecember 2002 vs November 2002

Entered the top 10

  • US flag
    Lamon BrewsterUp from #11 - now #9
  • US flag
    Joe MesiUp from #13 to #10

Dropped out of the top 10

  • US flag
    Chris ByrdOut of the top 10 after being #6
  • US flag
    Jameel McClineCurrently at #13

Biggest risers

  • PR flag
    Fres OquendoNow #6 after #9 last month
    ▲+3
  • US flag
    Joe MesiUp 3 places to #10
    ▲+3
  • US flag
    Farug SaleemNow ranked #8 (was #10)
    ▲+2

Biggest fallers

  • US flag
    Jameel McClineDown 6 places to #13
    ▼-6
  • US flag
    Evander HolyfieldDropped from #1 to #5
    ▼-4

WBODecember 2002 vs November 2002

Entered the top 10

  • PR flag
    Fres OquendoClimbed from #11 up to #10

Dropped out of the top 10

  • UA flag
    Vitali KlitschkoPreviously held #2

Biggest risers

  • NZ flag
    David TuaUp 3 places to #1
    ▲+3
  • US flag
    Clifford EttienneUp to #3 from #5
    ▲+2
  • ZA flag
    Frans BothaUp to #4 from #6
    ▲+2

Biggest fallers

  • US flag
    Jameel Ben McClineDown 6 places to #7
    ▼-6