RING 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 1924, combining ranking archives and sourced title records.
Explore the light heavyweight title-change timeline across all organizations
RING Light Heavyweight - World Champion
Became champion: 22 February 2025
Won the Ring light heavyweight title by majority decision over Artur Beterbiev in their rematch in Riyadh.
First shown in March 2025 rankings View source
Became champion: 12 October 2024
Won the title by defeating Dmitry Bivol.
First shown in October 2024 rankings View source
Became champion: 17 June 2017
Won the vacant title by defeating Sergey Kovalev.
First shown in June 2017 rankings View source
Became champion: 8 June 2013
Won the title by defeating Chad Dawson.
First shown in June 2013 rankings View source
Became champion: 28 April 2012
Won the title by defeating Bernard Hopkins.
First shown in May 2012 rankings View source
Became champion: 21 May 2011
Won the title by defeating Jean Pascal.
First shown in May 2011 rankings View source
Became champion: 14 August 2010
Won the vacant title by defeating Chad Dawson.
First shown in August 2010 rankings View source
Became champion: 19 April 2008
Won the title by defeating Bernard Hopkins.
First shown in April 2008 rankings View source
Became champion: 10 June 2006
Won the title by defeating Antonio Tarver.
First shown in June 2006 rankings View source
Became champion: 18 June 2005
Won the title by defeating Glen Johnson.
First shown in July 2005 rankings View source
Became champion: 18 December 2004
Won the title by defeating Antonio Tarver.
First shown in December 2004 rankings View source
Became champion: 15 May 2004
Won the title by defeating Roy Jones Jr.
First shown in May 2004 rankings View source
Became champion: 2 December 2001
Awarded the vacant title.
First shown in December 2001 rankings View source
Became champion: 18 March 1983
Won the title by defeating Dwight Muhammad Qawi.
First shown in March 1983 rankings View source
Became champion: 19 December 1981
Won the title by defeating Matthew Saad Muhammad.
First shown in December 1981 rankings View source
Became champion: 30 November 1979
Awarded the vacant title.
First shown in November 1979 rankings View source
The Ring ranking archive lists Galindez as champion from July 1979. His April WBA title win does not establish the separate Ring recognition day.
First shown in July 1979 rankings View source
Became champion: 24 May 1968
Won the title by defeating Dick Tiger.
First shown in June 1968 rankings View source
Became champion: 16 December 1966
Won the title by defeating Jose Torres.
First shown in February 1967 rankings View source
Became champion: 30 March 1965
Won the title by defeating Willie Pastrano.
First shown in April 1965 rankings View source
Became champion: 1 June 1963
Won the title by defeating Harold Johnson.
First shown in June 1963 rankings View source
Became champion: 12 May 1962
Won the vacant title by defeating Doug Jones.
First shown in July 1962 rankings View source
Became champion: 17 December 1952
Won the title by defeating Joey Maxim.
First shown in January 1953 rankings View source
Became champion: 24 January 1950
Won the title by defeating Freddie Mills.
First shown in February 1950 rankings View source
Became champion: 26 July 1948
Won the title by defeating Gus Lesnevich.
First shown in August 1948 rankings View source
Became champion: 26 August 1941
Won the vacant title by defeating Tami Mauriello.
First shown in September 1941 rankings View source
Became champion: 13 July 1939
Won the vacant title by defeating Melio Bettina.
First shown in December 1939 rankings View source
Became champion: 31 October 1935
Won the title by defeating Bob Olin.
First shown in November 1935 rankings View source
Became champion: 16 November 1934
Won the title by defeating Maxey Rosenbloom.
First shown in November 1934 rankings View source
Became champion: 25 June 1930
Won the title by defeating Jimmy Slattery.
First shown in June 1930 rankings View source
Became champion: 7 October 1927
Won the title by defeating Mike McTigue.
First shown in August 1929 rankings View source
Became champion: 16 July 1926
Won the title by defeating Paul Berlenbach.
First shown in July 1926 rankings View source
Became champion: 30 May 1925
Won the title by defeating Mike McTigue.
First shown in May 1925 rankings View source
The source gives only the year of this inaugural Ring recognition. An exact award day is not established; 1 January was a placeholder and is not treated as an event date.
First shown in January 1924 rankings View source