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IBF Light Heavyweight Boxing Rankings

Latest official Light Heavyweight rankings from the IBF.

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 with the IBF.

Division
Period
Org
RankIBFApril 2026
🏆Kyrgyzstan flagDmitry Bivol
Champion

1Germany flagMichael Eifert
2Australia flagConor Wallace
3United Kingdom flagBen Whittaker▲+2
4Australia flagImam Khataev▼-1
5Ukraine flagDaniel Lapin▲+2
6Russia flagSharabutdin Ataev▲+2
7United Kingdom flagJoshua Buatsi▲+3
8United Kingdom flagWilly Hutchinson▲+1
9Puerto Rico flagNajee Lopez▲+2
10Russia flagAli Izmailov▼-6
11Russia flagVasyli Voytsekhovsky▼-5
12United Kingdom flagCraig Richards
13United States flagAtif Oberlton
14Netherlands flagGradus Kraus
15Australia flagPaulo Aokuso

Source: IBF

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About the Light Heavyweight Division

Weight Limit: 168-175 lbs (76.2-79.4 kg)

Light Heavyweight is one of boxing's classic divisions, featuring fighters who combine speed, power, and technical skill. The division has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century.

Division Characteristics

Light Heavyweights are known for their balance of speed and power. Fighters in this division are typically athletic and skilled, capable of both technical boxing and explosive knockouts.

Notable Facts

The Light Heavyweight division has been home to many legendary fighters, including Archie Moore, Bob Foster, and more recently, fighters like Bernard Hopkins and Sergey Kovalev.

Historical Context

Light Heavyweight has long been considered one of boxing's premier divisions, consistently producing competitive matchups and memorable fights throughout boxing history.

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

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Compare WBA, WBC, IBF & WBO in Light Heavyweight.

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Month-over-month changes since March 2026

Entered the top 10

  • PR flag
    Najee LopezUp from #11 - now #9

Dropped out of the top 10

  • RU flag
    Vasyli VoytsekhovskyJust outside at #11

Biggest risers

  • GB flag
    Joshua BuatsiImproved from #10 to #7
    ▲+3
  • GB flag
    Ben WhittakerUp to #3 from #5
    ▲+2
  • UA flag
    Daniel LapinNow ranked #5 (was #7)
    ▲+2

Biggest fallers

  • RU flag
    Ali IzmailovFell from #4 to #10
    ▼-6
  • RU flag
    Vasyli VoytsekhovskyNow #11 after #6 last month
    ▼-5
  • AU flag
    Imam KhataevDown one place to #4
    ▼-1

IBF Light Heavyweight 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 Light Heavyweight — Champion

Russia flagDmitry Bivol
February 2025 — Current
1 year 3 months
Canada flagArtur Beterbiev
November 2017 — February 2025
7 years 4 months
United States flagAndre Ward
November 2016 — September 2017
11 months
Russia flagSergey Kovalev
December 2014 — November 2016
2 years
United States flagBernard Hopkins
March 2013 — December 2014
1 year 10 months
United States flagTavoris Cloud
September 2009 — March 2013
3 years 7 months
United States flagChad Dawson
November 2008 — June 2009
8 months
United States flagAntonio Tarver
May 2008 — November 2008
7 months
United Kingdom flagClinton Woods
December 2005 — May 2008
2 years 6 months