RING Welterweight boxing rankings- January 1979

RING Welterweight rankings archive for January 1979. This page is the RING-only list. View all RING rankings, or compare the Welterweight boxing rankings across all organizations, or open the latest RING Welterweight rankings.

Browse the Welterweight archive

Rank	RINGJanuary 1979
	Wilfred BenitezNEW World Champion
1	Pipino Cuevas
2	Ray Leonard+1
3	Carlos PalominoWas champ
4	Pete Ranzany+2
5	Thomas Hearns+4
6	David Green+2
7	Clyde Gray-5
8	Harold Weston-3
9	Johnny Gant-5
10	Randy Shields-3

Source

RING

January 1979 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 November 1978

There is a new Champion: Wilfred Benitez(previously Carlos Palomino)

Became champion: 14 January 1979

Won the title by defeating Carlos Palomino.

First shown in January 1979 rankingsView source

Dropped out of the top 10

Andy PricePreviously held #10

Biggest risers

Thomas HearnsUp 4 places to #5
+4
Pete RanzanyNow ranked #4 (was #6)
+2
David GreenClimbed from #8 to #6
+2

Biggest fallers

Clyde GrayDropped from #2 to #7
-5
Johnny GantNow #9 after being #4 last month
-5
Harold WestonFell from #5 to #8
-3

RING Welterweight 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 welterweight title-change timeline across all organizations

RING Welterweight - World Champion

Jaron Ennis

12 April 20257 August 2025

117 days

Became champion: 12 April 2025

Won the title by defeating Eimantas Stanionis.

First shown in May 2025 rankingsView source

Terence Crawford

29 July 20233 August 2024

371 days

Became champion: 29 July 2023

Won the title by defeating Errol Spence Jr.

First shown in July 2023 rankingsView source

Floyd Mayweather Jr

4 May 201312 September 2015

861 days

Became champion: 4 May 2013

Won the title by defeating Robert Guerrero.

First shown in May 2013 rankingsView source

Floyd Mayweather Jr

4 November 20066 June 2008

580 days

Became champion: 4 November 2006

Won the title by defeating Carlos Baldomir.

First shown in November 2006 rankingsView source

Carlos Baldomir

7 January 20064 November 2006

301 days

Became champion: 7 January 2006

Won the title by defeating Zab Judah.

First shown in January 2006 rankingsView source

Zab Judah

5 February 20057 January 2006

336 days

Became champion: 5 February 2005

Won the title by defeating Cory Spinks.

First shown in February 2005 rankingsView source

Cory Spinks

13 December 20035 February 2005

420 days

Became champion: 13 December 2003

Won the title by defeating Ricardo Mayorga.

First shown in January 2004 rankingsView source

Ricardo Mayorga

25 January 200313 December 2003

322 days

Became champion: 25 January 2003

Won the title by defeating Vernon Forrest.

First shown in February 2003 rankingsView source

Vernon Forrest

26 January 2002December 2002

Became champion: 26 January 2002

Won the title by defeating Shane Mosley.

First shown in February 2002 rankingsView source

Marlon Starling

4 February 1989February 1989

Became champion: 4 February 1989

Won the title by defeating Lloyd Honeyghan.

First shown in February 1989 rankingsView source

Lloyd Honeyghan

29 March 1988November 1988

Became champion: 29 March 1988

Won the title by defeating Jorge Vaca.

First shown in March 1988 rankingsView source

Jorge Vaca

28 October 198729 March 1988

153 days

Became champion: 28 October 1987

Won the title by defeating Lloyd Honeyghan.

First shown in October 1987 rankingsView source

Lloyd Honeyghan

27 September 198628 October 1987

396 days

Became champion: 27 September 1986

Won the title by defeating Donald Curry.

First shown in September 1986 rankingsView source

Donald Curry

6 December 198527 September 1986

295 days

Became champion: 6 December 1985

Won the title by defeating Milton McCrory.

First shown in December 1985 rankingsView source

Ray Leonard

25 November 19809 November 1982

714 days

Became champion: 25 November 1980

Won the title by defeating Roberto Duran.

First shown in November 1980 rankingsView source

Roberto Duran

20 June 198025 November 1980

158 days

Became champion: 20 June 1980

Won the title by defeating Ray Leonard.

First shown in June 1980 rankingsView source

Ray Leonard

30 November 197920 June 1980

203 days

Became champion: 30 November 1979

Won the title by defeating Wilfred Benitez.

First shown in November 1979 rankingsView source

Wilfred Benitez

14 January 197930 November 1979

320 days

Became champion: 14 January 1979

Won the title by defeating Carlos Palomino.

First shown in January 1979 rankingsView source

Carlos Palomino

22 June 1976November 1978

Became champion: 22 June 1976

Won the title by defeating John Stracey.

First shown in June 1976 rankingsView source

John Stracey

6 December 197522 June 1976

199 days

Became champion: 6 December 1975

Won the title by defeating Jose Napoles.

First shown in February 1976 rankingsView source

Jose Napoles

4 June 19716 December 1975

1,646 days

Became champion: 4 June 1971

Won the title by defeating Billy Backus.

First shown in June 1971 rankingsView source

Billy Backus

3 December 19704 June 1971

183 days

Became champion: 3 December 1970

Won the title by defeating José Nápoles.

First shown in February 1971 rankingsView source

Jose Napoles

18 April 1969November 1970

Became champion: 18 April 1969

Won the title by defeating Curtis Cokes.

First shown in May 1969 rankingsView source

Curtis Cokes

28 November 196618 April 1969

872 days

Became champion: 28 November 1966

Won the title by defeating Jean Josselin.

First shown in December 1966 rankingsView source

Emile Griffith

8 June 1963August 1966

Became champion: 8 June 1963

Won the title by defeating Luis Rodriguez.

First shown in June 1963 rankingsView source

Luis Rodriguez

21 March 19638 June 1963

79 days

Became champion: 21 March 1963

Won the title by unanimous decision over Emile Griffith.

First shown in March 1963 rankingsView source

Emile Griffith

24 March 196221 March 1963

362 days

Became champion: 24 March 1962

Won the title by defeating Benny Paret.

First shown in June 1962 rankingsView source

Benny Paret

30 September 1961February 1962

Became champion: 30 September 1961

Won the title by defeating Emile Griffith.

First shown in November 1961 rankingsView source

Emile Griffith

1 April 1961September 1961

Became champion: 1 April 1961

Won the title by defeating Benny Paret.

First shown in April 1961 rankingsView source

Benny Paret

27 May 19601 April 1961

309 days

Became champion: 27 May 1960

Won the title by defeating Don Jordan.

First shown in August 1960 rankingsView source

Don Jordan

5 December 195827 May 1960

539 days

Became champion: 5 December 1958

Won the title by defeating Virgil Akins.

First shown in January 1959 rankingsView source

Virgil Akins

6 June 1958November 1958

Became champion: 6 June 1958

Won the title by defeating Vince Martinez.

First shown in June 1958 rankingsView source

Carmen Basilio

12 September 195623 September 1957

376 days

Became champion: 12 September 1956

Won the title by defeating Johnny Saxton.

First shown in September 1956 rankingsView source

Johnny Saxton

14 March 195612 September 1956

182 days

Became champion: 14 March 1956

Won the title by defeating Carmen Basilio.

First shown in March 1956 rankingsView source

Carmen Basilio

10 June 195514 March 1956

278 days

Became champion: 10 June 1955

Won the title by defeating Tony Demarco.

First shown in June 1955 rankingsView source

Tony Demarco

1 April 195510 June 1955

70 days

Became champion: 1 April 1955

Won the title by defeating Johnny Saxton.

First shown in April 1955 rankingsView source

Johnny Saxton

20 October 19541 April 1955

163 days

Became champion: 20 October 1954

Won the title by defeating Kid Gavilan.

First shown in October 1954 rankingsView source

Kid Gavilan

29 August 195120 October 1954

1,148 days

Became champion: 29 August 1951

Won the title by defeating Billy Graham.

First shown in March 1952 rankingsView source

Ray Robinson

20 December 194615 February 1951

1,518 days

Became champion: 20 December 1946

Won the title by defeating Tommy Bell.

First shown in January 1947 rankingsView source

Marty Servo

1 February 194625 September 1946

236 days

Became champion: 1 February 1946

Won the title by defeating Freddie Cochrane.

First shown in February 1946 rankingsView source

Freddie Cochrane

29 July 19411 February 1946

1,648 days

Became champion: 29 July 1941

Won the title by defeating Fritzie Zivic.

First shown in August 1941 rankingsView source

Fritzie Zivic

4 October 194029 July 1941

298 days

Became champion: 4 October 1940

Won the title by defeating Henry Armstrong.

First shown in October 1940 rankingsView source

Henry Armstrong

31 May 19384 October 1940

857 days

Became champion: 31 May 1938

Won the title by defeating Barney Ross.

First shown in June 1938 rankingsView source

Barney Ross

28 May 193531 May 1938

1,099 days

Became champion: 28 May 1935

Won the title by defeating Jimmy McLarnin.

First shown in June 1935 rankingsView source

Jimmy McLarnin

17 September 193428 May 1935

253 days

Became champion: 17 September 1934

Won the title by defeating Barney Ross.

First shown in September 1934 rankingsView source

Barney Ross

28 May 193417 September 1934

112 days

Became champion: 28 May 1934

Won the title by defeating Jimmy McLarnin.

First shown in June 1934 rankingsView source

Jimmy McLarnin

29 May 193328 May 1934

364 days

Became champion: 29 May 1933

Won the title by defeating Young Corbett.

First shown in May 1933 rankingsView source

Young Corbett

22 February 193329 May 1933

96 days

Became champion: 22 February 1933

Won the title by defeating Jackie Fields.

First shown in February 1933 rankingsView source

Jackie Fields

28 January 193222 February 1933

391 days

Became champion: 28 January 1932

Won the title by defeating Lou Brouillard.

First shown in February 1932 rankingsView source

Lou Brouillard

23 October 193128 January 1932

97 days

Became champion: 23 October 1931

Won the title by defeating Young Jack Thompson.

First shown in October 1931 rankingsView source

Young Jack Thompson

14 April 193123 October 1931

192 days

Became champion: 14 April 1931

Won the title by defeating Tommy Freeman.

First shown in April 1931 rankingsView source

Tommy Freeman

5 September 193014 April 1931

221 days

Became champion: 5 September 1930

Won the title by defeating Young Jack Thompson.

First shown in September 1930 rankingsView source

Young Jack Thompson

9 May 19305 September 1930

119 days

Became champion: 9 May 1930

Won the title by defeating Jackie Fields.

First shown in May 1930 rankingsView source

Jackie Fields

25 July 19299 May 1930

288 days

Became champion: 25 July 1929

Won the title by defeating Joe Dundee.

First shown in August 1929 rankingsView source

Joe Dundee

3 June 192725 July 1929

783 days

Became champion: 3 June 1927

Won the title by defeating Pete Latzo.

First shown in June 1927 rankingsView source

Pete Latzo

20 May 19263 June 1927

379 days

Became champion: 20 May 1926

Won the title by defeating Mickey Walker.

First shown in May 1926 rankingsView source

Mickey Walker

192420 May 1926

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 rankingsView source

RING Welterweight Title History

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