Light Heavyweight Rankings Archive | December 1939

Note: The WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO did not exist in December 1939.

Rank	RINGDecember 1939
	Billy ConnNEW World Champion
1	Gus Lesnevich+2
2	Melio Bettina
3	Len Harvey+1
4	Jock McAvoy+1
5	Dave Clark+1
6	Tiger Jack Fox+1
7	Teddy Yarosz+1
8	Al Gainer+1
9	Larry Lane+1
10	Lee OmaNEW

Sources

December 1939 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.

Month-over-month changes since December 1939

Month-over-month changes since November 1939

RINGDecember 1939 vs November 1939

There is a new Champion: Billy Conn(previously John Henry Lewis)

Became champion: 13 July 1939

Won the vacant title by defeating Melio Bettina.

First shown in December 1939 rankingsView source

Entered the top 10

Lee OmaInto the top 10 at #10

Biggest risers

Gus LesnevichClimbed from #3 to #1
+2
Len HarveyUp one spot to #3
+1
Jock McAvoyUp one spot to #4
+1

WBA Light Heavyweight Title History

Champions who have held each belt, most recent first. Exact dates are shown where verified; month-only dates reflect available records. Available history begins in January 1921, combining ranking archives and sourced title records.

Explore the light heavyweight title-change timeline across all organizations

WBA Light Heavyweight - Super Champion

Dmitry Bivol

22 February 2025Current

Became champion: 22 February 2025

Won the title by defeating Artur Beterbiev by majority decision in their rematch.

First shown in February 2025 rankingsView source

Artur Beterbiev

12 October 202422 February 2025

133 days

Became champion: 12 October 2024

Won the title by defeating Dmitry Bivol.

First shown in October 2024 rankingsView source

Dmitry Bivol

10 October 201912 October 2024

1,829 days

Became champion: 10 October 2019

Promoted from regular champion to Super Champion.

First shown in October 2019 rankingsView source

Andre Ward

19 November 201621 September 2017

306 days

Became champion: 19 November 2016

Won the title by defeating Sergey Kovalev.

First shown in November 2016 rankingsView source

Sergey Kovalev

8 November 2014September 2016

Became champion: 8 November 2014

Won the title by defeating Bernard Hopkins.

First shown in November 2014 rankingsView source

Bernard Hopkins

19 April 2014September 2014

Became champion: 19 April 2014

Won the title by defeating Beibut Shumenov.

First shown in April 2014 rankingsView source

Beibut Shumenov

8 October 201319 April 2014

193 days

Became champion: 8 October 2013

Promoted from regular champion to Super Champion.

First shown in October 2013 rankingsView source

Antonio Tarver

15 May 20043 July 2004

49 days

Became champion: 15 May 2004

Won the title by defeating Roy Jones Jr.

First shown in May 2004 rankingsView source

Roy Jones Jr

December 200015 May 2004

Was already listed as WBA Super Champion in the original December 2000 ratings, which print Jones under both Super and World Champion headings. December replaces the later January archive boundary; the exact designation day remains unverified.

First shown in January 2001 rankingsView source

WBA Light Heavyweight - World Champion

David Benavidez

1 February 2025September 2026

Became champion: 1 February 2025

Won the title by defeating David Morrell.

First shown in February 2025 rankingsView source

David Morrell

3 August 20241 February 2025

182 days

Became champion: 3 August 2024

Won the title by defeating Radivoje Kalajdzic.

First shown in August 2024 rankingsView source

Jean Pascal

10 October 20199 July 2021

638 days

Became champion: 10 October 2019

Promoted from interim champion when Dmitry Bivol became Super Champion.

First shown in October 2019 rankingsView source

Dmitry Bivol

14 October 201710 October 2019

726 days

Became champion: 14 October 2017

Promoted from interim champion after Badou Jack vacated the title.

First shown in October 2017 rankingsView source

Badou Jack

26 August 201723 September 2017

28 days

Became champion: 26 August 2017

Won the title by defeating Nathan Cleverly.

First shown in August 2017 rankingsView source

Nathan Cleverly

1 October 201626 August 2017

329 days

Became champion: 1 October 2016

Won the title by defeating Juergen Braehmer.

First shown in October 2016 rankingsView source

Juergen Braehmer

14 December 2013August 2016

Became champion: 14 December 2013

Won the title by defeating Marcus Oliveira.

First shown in December 2013 rankingsView source

Beibut Shumenov

29 January 20108 October 2013

1,348 days

Became champion: 29 January 2010

Won the title by defeating Gabriel Campillo.

First shown in January 2010 rankingsView source

Gabriel Campillo

20 June 2009November 2009

Became champion: 20 June 2009

Won the title by defeating Hugo Hernan Garay.

First shown in June 2009 rankingsView source

Hugo Hernan Garay

3 July 200820 June 2009

352 days

Became champion: 3 July 2008

Won the vacant title by defeating Yuriy Barashian.

First shown in July 2008 rankingsView source

Danny Green

16 December 200725 March 2008

100 days

Became champion: 16 December 2007

Won the title by defeating Stipe Drews.

First shown in December 2007 rankingsView source

Stipe Drews

28 April 2007October 2007

Became champion: 28 April 2007

Won the title by defeating Silvio Branco.

First shown in April 2007 rankingsView source

Silvio Branco

19 October 200628 April 2007

191 days

Became champion: 19 October 2006

Promoted from interim champion after Fabrice Tiozzo vacated the title.

First shown in October 2006 rankingsView source

Fabrice Tiozzo

20 March 2004July 2006

Became champion: 20 March 2004

Won the title by defeating Silvio Branco.

First shown in March 2004 rankingsView source

Silvio Branco

10 October 200320 March 2004

162 days

Became champion: 10 October 2003

Won the title by defeating Mehdi Sahnoune.

First shown in September 2003 rankingsView source

Mehdi Sahnoune

8 March 200310 October 2003

216 days

Became champion: 8 March 2003

Won the title by defeating Bruno Girard.

First shown in March 2003 rankingsView source

Bruno Girard

22 December 20018 March 2003

441 days

Became champion: 22 December 2001

Won the title by defeating Robert Koon.

First shown in December 2001 rankingsView source

Roy Jones Jr

18 July 1998April 2001

Became champion: 18 July 1998

Won the title by defeating Lou Del Valle.

First shown in January 2000 rankingsView source

Lou Del Valle

20 September 1997July 1998

Became champion: 20 September 1997

Won the vacant title by defeating Eddy Smulders.

Light Heavyweight boxing rankings- December 1939

Month-over-month changes since December 1939

Month-over-month changes since November 1939

RINGDecember 1939 vs November 1939

Entered the top 10

Biggest risers

WBA Light Heavyweight Title History

WBA Light Heavyweight - Super Champion

WBA Light Heavyweight - World Champion

WBA Light Heavyweight - Interim Champion

WBA Light Heavyweight Title History

WBC Light Heavyweight Title History

WBC Light Heavyweight - World Champion

WBC Light Heavyweight - Interim Champion

WBC Light Heavyweight Title History

IBF Light Heavyweight Title History

IBF Light Heavyweight - World Champion

IBF Light Heavyweight Title History

WBO Light Heavyweight Title History

WBO Light Heavyweight - Super Champion

WBO Light Heavyweight - World Champion

WBO Light Heavyweight - Interim Champion

WBO Light Heavyweight Title History

RING Light Heavyweight Title History

RING Light Heavyweight - World Champion

RING Light Heavyweight Title History

WBA Light Heavyweight Title History

WBA Light Heavyweight - Super Champion

WBA Light Heavyweight - World Champion

WBA Light Heavyweight - Interim Champion

WBC Light Heavyweight Title History

WBC Light Heavyweight - World Champion

WBC Light Heavyweight - Interim Champion

IBF Light Heavyweight Title History

IBF Light Heavyweight - World Champion

WBO Light Heavyweight Title History

WBO Light Heavyweight - Super Champion

WBO Light Heavyweight - World Champion

WBO Light Heavyweight - Interim Champion

RING Light Heavyweight Title History

RING Light Heavyweight - World Champion