IBF 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 February 1984, combining ranking archives and sourced title records.
Explore the light heavyweight title-change timeline across all organizations
IBF Light Heavyweight - World Champion
Became champion: 22 February 2025
Won the title by defeating Artur Beterbiev by majority decision in their rematch.
First shown in February 2025 rankings View source
Became champion: 11 November 2017
Won the vacant title by defeating Enrico Kolling.
First shown in November 2017 rankings View source
Became champion: 19 November 2016
Won the title by defeating Sergey Kovalev.
First shown in November 2016 rankings View source
Became champion: 8 November 2014
Won the title by defeating Bernard Hopkins.
First shown in December 2014 rankings View source
Became champion: 9 March 2013
Won the title by defeating Tavoris Cloud.
First shown in March 2013 rankings View source
Became champion: 28 August 2009
Won the vacant title by defeating Clinton Woods.
First shown in September 2009 rankings View source
Became champion: 11 October 2008
Won the title by defeating Antonio Tarver.
First shown in November 2008 rankings View source
Became champion: 12 April 2008
Won the title by defeating Clinton Woods.
First shown in May 2008 rankings View source
Became champion: 4 March 2005
Won the vacant title by defeating Rico Hoye.
First shown in December 2005 rankings View source
Became champion: 6 February 2004
Won the vacant title by defeating Clinton Woods.
First shown in rankings View source
Became champion: 26 April 2003
Won the vacant title by defeating Montell Griffin.
First shown in rankings View source
Became champion: 5 June 1999
Won the title by defeating Reggie Johnson.
First shown in rankings View source
Became champion: 6 February 1998
Won the title by defeating William Guthrie.
First shown in rankings View source
Became champion: 19 July 1997
Won the vacant title by defeating Darrin Allen.
First shown in rankings View source
Became champion: 13 June 1997
Won the title by defeating Virgil Hill.
First shown in rankings View source
Became champion: 23 November 1996
Won the title by defeating Henry Maske.
First shown in rankings View source
Became champion: 20 March 1993
Won the title by defeating Charles Williams.
First shown in rankings View source
Became champion: 29 October 1987
Won the title by defeating Bobby Czyz.
First shown in rankings View source
Became champion: 6 September 1986
Won the title by defeating Slobodan KaΔar.
First shown in rankings View source
Became champion: 21 December 1985
Won the vacant title by defeating Eddie Mustafa Muhammad.
First shown in rankings View source
Became champion: 25 February 1984
Won the title by defeating Eddie Davis.
First shown in rankings View source