WBA Heavyweight Rankings Archive | March 2001

Rank	WBAMarch 2001
	John RuizNEW World Champion
1	Vacant
2	Kirk Johnson
3	Evander Holyfield-3
4	Larry Donald
5	Mike Tyson
6	Vitali Klitschko
7	David Toribio
8	Henry Akinwande
9	David Izon
10	Lance WhitakerNEW
11	Friday AhunanyaNEW
12	Vaughn Bean
13	Brian Nielsen
14	Farug Saleem
15	Nikolai Valuev

Source

March 2001 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 February 2001

There is a new World Champion: John Ruiz(previously Evander Holyfield)

Became champion: 3 March 2001

Won the WBA heavyweight title on 3 March 2001, ending Evander Holyfield's reign.

First shown in March 2001 rankingsView source

Entered the top 10

Lance WhitakerEnters at #10

Dropped out of the top 10

Oleg MaskaevPreviously held #10

WBA Heavyweight Title History

Champions who have held each belt, from oldest to most recent. Title history only goes back as far as our earliest WBA monthly rankings (January 1921).

WBA Heavyweight - Super Champion

Oleksandr Usyk

25 September 202126 June 2026

4 years 10 months

Became champion: 25 September 2021

Won the WBA heavyweight title on 25 September 2021, ending Anthony Joshua's reign.

First shown in September 2021 rankingsView source

Anthony Joshua

7 December 201925 September 2021

1 year 10 months

Became champion: 7 December 2019

Won the WBA heavyweight title on 7 December 2019, ending Andy Ruiz's reign.

First shown in December 2019 rankingsView source

Andy Ruiz

1 June 20197 December 2019

7 months

Became champion: 1 June 2019

Won the WBA heavyweight title on 1 June 2019, ending Anthony Joshua's reign.

First shown in June 2019 rankingsView source

Anthony Joshua

29 April 20171 June 2019

2 years 3 months

Became champion: 29 April 2017

Won the vacant WBA heavyweight title by defeating Wladimir Klitschko.

First shown in April 2017 rankingsView source

Tyson Fury

28 November 201512 October 2016

1 year

Became champion: 28 November 2015

Won the WBA heavyweight title on 28 November 2015, ending Wladimir Klitschko's reign.

First shown in November 2015 rankingsView source

Wladimir Klitschko

2 July 201128 November 2015

4 years 5 months

Became champion: 2 July 2011

Won the WBA heavyweight title by defeating David Haye, and was recognized as Super Champion.

First shown in July 2011 rankingsView source

WBA Heavyweight - World Champion

Murat Gassiev

12 December 2025Current

10 months

Became champion: 12 December 2025

Won the title by knocking out Kubrat Pulev in the sixth round.

First shown in December 2025 rankingsView source

Kubrat Pulev

7 December 202412 December 2025

1 year 1 month

Became champion: 7 December 2024

Won the WBA title by unanimous decision over Mahmoud Charr in Sofia.

First shown in December 2024 rankingsView source

Mahmoud Charr

31 August 20237 December 2024

1 year 5 months

Became champion: 31 August 2023

Reinstated as WBA regular heavyweight champion after a court settlement, once Oleksandr Usyk had beaten Daniel Dubois.

First shown in August 2023 rankingsView source

Daniel Dubois

11 June 202231 August 2023

1 year 3 months

Became champion: 11 June 2022

Won the WBA heavyweight title on 11 June 2022, ending Trevor Bryan's reign.

First shown in June 2022 rankingsView source

Trevor Bryan

29 January 202111 June 2022

1 year 6 months

Became champion: 29 January 2021

Won the WBA heavyweight title by defeating Bermane Stiverne.

First shown in February 2021 rankingsView source

Mahmoud Charr

25 November 201729 January 2021

3 years 3 months

Became champion: 25 November 2017

Won the vacant WBA heavyweight title by defeating Alexander Ustinov.

First shown in November 2017 rankingsView source

Ruslan Chagaev

12 May 201625 July 2016

3 months

Became champion: 12 May 2016

Reinstated as WBA heavyweight champion after Lucas Browne was stripped for failing a post-fight drug test.

First shown in May 2016 rankingsView source

Lucas Browne

5 March 201612 May 2016

3 months

Became champion: 5 March 2016

Won the WBA heavyweight title on 5 March 2016, ending Ruslan Chagaev's reign.

First shown in March 2016 rankingsView source

Ruslan Chagaev

6 July 2014January 2016

1 year 7 months

Became champion: 6 July 2014

Won the vacant WBA heavyweight title by defeating Fres Oquendo.

First shown in July 2014 rankingsView source

Alexander Povetkin

27 August 20115 October 2013

2 years 3 months

Became champion: 27 August 2011

Won the vacant WBA regular heavyweight title by defeating Ruslan Chagaev.

First shown in August 2011 rankingsView source

David Haye

7 November 20092 July 2011

1 year 9 months

Became champion: 7 November 2009

Won the WBA heavyweight title on 7 November 2009, ending Nikolai Valuev's reign.

First shown in November 2009 rankingsView source

Nikolai Valuev

30 August 2008September 2009

1 year 2 months

Became champion: 30 August 2008

Won the vacant WBA heavyweight title by defeating John Ruiz.

First shown in August 2008 rankingsView source

Ruslan Chagaev

14 April 200718 July 2008

1 year 4 months

Became champion: 14 April 2007

Won the WBA heavyweight title on 14 April 2007, ending Nikolai Valuev's reign.

First shown in April 2007 rankingsView source

Nikolai Valuev

17 December 200514 April 2007

1 year 5 months

Became champion: 17 December 2005

Won the WBA heavyweight title on 17 December 2005, ending John Ruiz's reign.

First shown in December 2005 rankingsView source

John Ruiz

24 February 2004October 2005

1 year 9 months

Became champion: 24 February 2004

Elevated from interim champion after Roy Jones Jr vacated the WBA heavyweight title to stay at light heavyweight.

First shown in February 2004 rankingsView source

John Ruiz

3 March 2001March 2003

2 years 1 month

Became champion: 3 March 2001

Won the title by defeating Evander Holyfield.

First shown in rankingsView source

Roy Jones Jr

1 March 200324 February 2004

1 year

Became champion: 1 March 2003

Won the WBA heavyweight title on 1 March 2003, ending John Ruiz's reign.

First shown in March 2003 rankingsView source

John Ruiz

3 March 2001January 2003

1 year 11 months

Became champion: 3 March 2001

Won the WBA heavyweight title on 3 March 2001, ending Evander Holyfield's reign.

First shown in March 2001 rankingsView source

Evander Holyfield

12 August 20003 March 2001

8 months

Became champion: 12 August 2000

Won the vacant WBA heavyweight title by defeating John Ruiz.

First shown in August 2000 rankingsView source

Lennox Lewis

13 November 199912 April 2000

6 months

Became champion: 13 November 1999

Won the WBA heavyweight title on 13 November 1999, ending Evander Holyfield's reign.

First shown in January 2000 rankingsView source

Evander Holyfield

9 November 1996November 1999

3 years 1 month

Became champion: 9 November 1996

Won the title by defeating Mike Tyson.

First shown in rankingsView source

Mike Tyson

7 September 1996November 1996

3 months

Became champion: 7 September 1996

Won the title by defeating Bruce Seldon.

First shown in rankingsView source

Bruce Seldon

8 April 1995September 1996

1 year 6 months

Became champion: 8 April 1995

Won the vacant title by defeating Tony Tucker.

First shown in rankingsView source

George Foreman

5 November 1994March 1995

5 months

Became champion: 5 November 1994

Won the title by defeating Michael Moorer.

First shown in rankingsView source

Michael Moorer

22 April 1994November 1994

8 months

Became champion: 22 April 1994

Won the title by defeating Evander Holyfield.

First shown in rankingsView source

Evander Holyfield

6 November 1993April 1994

6 months

Became champion: 6 November 1993

Won the title by defeating Riddick Bowe.

First shown in rankingsView source

Riddick Bowe

13 November 1992November 1993

1 year 1 month

Became champion: 13 November 1992

Won the title by defeating Evander Holyfield.

First shown in rankingsView source

Evander Holyfield

25 October 1990November 1992

2 years 2 months

Became champion: 25 October 1990

Won the title by defeating Buster Douglas.

First shown in rankingsView source

James Douglas

11 February 1990October 1990

9 months

Became champion: 11 February 1990

Won the title by defeating Mike Tyson.

First shown in rankingsView source

Mike Tyson

7 March 1987February 1990

3 years

Became champion: 7 March 1987

Won the title by defeating James Smith.

First shown in rankingsView source

James Smith

12 December 1986March 1987

4 months

Became champion: 12 December 1986

Won the title by defeating Tim Witherspoon.

First shown in rankingsView source

Tim Witherspoon

17 January 1986December 1986

1 year

Became champion: 17 January 1986

Won the title by defeating Tony Tubbs.

First shown in rankingsView source

Tony Tubbs

29 April 1985January 1986

10 months

Became champion: 29 April 1985

Won the title by defeating Greg Page.

First shown in rankingsView source

Greg Page

1 December 1984April 1985

5 months

Became champion: 1 December 1984

Won the title by defeating Gerrie Coetzee.

First shown in rankingsView source

Gerrie Coetzee

23 September 1983December 1984

1 year 4 months

Became champion: 23 September 1983

Won the title by defeating Michael Dokes.

First shown in rankingsView source

Michael Dokes

10 December 1982September 1983

10 months

Became champion: 10 December 1982

Won the title by defeating Mike Weaver.

First shown in rankingsView source

Mike Weaver

31 March 1980December 1982

2 years 10 months

Became champion: 31 March 1980

Won the title by defeating John Tate.

First shown in rankingsView source

John Tate

20 October 1979March 1980

6 months

Became champion: 20 October 1979

Won the vacant title by defeating Gerrie Coetzee.

First shown in rankingsView source

Muhammad Ali

15 September 1978July 1979

11 months

Became champion: 15 September 1978

Won the title by defeating Leon Spinks.

First shown in rankingsView source

Leon Spinks

15 February 1978September 1978

8 months

Became champion: 15 February 1978

Won the title by defeating Muhammad Ali.

First shown in rankingsView source

Muhammad Ali

30 October 1974February 1978

3 years 5 months

Became champion: 30 October 1974

Won the title by defeating George Foreman.

First shown in rankingsView source

George Foreman

22 January 1973October 1974

1 year 10 months

Became champion: 22 January 1973

Won the title by defeating Joe Frazier.

First shown in rankingsView source

Joe Frazier

16 February 1970January 1973

3 years

Became champion: 16 February 1970

Won the title by defeating Jimmy Ellis.

First shown in rankingsView source

Jimmy Ellis

27 April 1968February 1970

1 year 11 months

Became champion: 27 April 1968

Won the vacant title by defeating Jerry Quarry.

First shown in rankingsView source

Muhammad Ali

6 February 1967April 1967

3 months

Became champion: 6 February 1967

Won the title by defeating Ernie Terrell.

First shown in rankingsView source

Ernie Terrell

5 March 1965February 1967

2 years

Became champion: 5 March 1965

Won the vacant title by defeating Eddie Machen.

First shown in rankingsView source

Muhammad Ali

25 February 1964September 1964

8 months

Became champion: 25 February 1964

Won the title by defeating Sonny Liston.

First shown in rankingsView source

Sonny Liston

25 September 1962February 1964

1 year 6 months

Became champion: 25 September 1962

Won the title by defeating Floyd Patterson.

First shown in rankingsView source

Floyd Patterson

NBA / WBA

20 June 1960September 1962

2 years 4 months

Became champion: 20 June 1960

Won the title by defeating Ingemar Johansson.

First shown in rankingsView source

Ingemar Johansson

NBA

26 June 1959June 1960

1 year 1 month

Became champion: 26 June 1959

Won the title by defeating Floyd Patterson.

First shown in rankingsView source

Floyd Patterson

NBA

30 November 1956June 1959

2 years 8 months

Became champion: 30 November 1956

Won the vacant title by defeating Archie Moore.

First shown in rankingsView source

Rocky Marciano

NBA

23 September 1952April 1956

3 years 8 months

Became champion: 23 September 1952

Won the title by defeating Jersey Joe Walcott.

First shown in rankingsView source

Jersey Joe Walcott

NBA

18 July 1951September 1952

1 year 3 months

Became champion: 18 July 1951

Won the title by defeating Ezzard Charles.

First shown in rankingsView source

Ezzard Charles

NBA

22 June 1949July 1951

2 years 2 months

Became champion: 22 June 1949

Won the vacant title by defeating Jersey Joe Walcott.

First shown in rankingsView source

Joe Louis

NBA

22 June 1937March 1949

11 years 10 months

Became champion: 22 June 1937

Won the title by defeating James J. Braddock.

First shown in rankingsView source

Jim Braddock

NBA

13 June 1935June 1937

2 years 1 month

Became champion: 13 June 1935

Won the title by defeating Max Baer.

First shown in rankingsView source

Max Baer

NBA

14 June 1934June 1935

1 year 1 month

Became champion: 14 June 1934

Won the title by defeating Primo Carnera.

First shown in rankingsView source

Primo Carnera

NBA

29 June 1933June 1934

1 year 1 month

Became champion: 29 June 1933

Won the title by defeating Jack Sharkey.

First shown in rankingsView source

Jack Sharkey

NBA

21 June 1932June 1933

1 year 1 month

Became champion: 21 June 1932

Won the title by defeating Max Schmeling.

First shown in rankingsView source

Max Schmeling

NBA

12 June 1930June 1932

2 years 1 month

Became champion: 12 June 1930

Won the vacant title by defeating Jack Sharkey.

First shown in rankingsView source

Gene Tunney

NBA

23 September 1926July 1928

1 year 11 months

Became champion: 23 September 1926

Won the title by defeating Jack Dempsey.

First shown in rankingsView source

Jack Dempsey

NBA

January 1921September 1926

5 years 9 months

WBA Heavyweight - Interim Champion

Fabio Wardley

7 June 202525 October 2025

5 months

Became champion: 7 June 2025

Won the vacant interim title by knocking out Justis Huni in the tenth round at Portman Road in Ipswich.

First shown in June 2025 rankingsView source

WBA Heavyweight Title History

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WBA Heavyweight boxing rankings- March 2001

Month-over-month changes since February 2001

Entered the top 10

Dropped out of the top 10

WBA Heavyweight Title History

WBA Heavyweight - Super Champion

WBA Heavyweight - World Champion

WBA Heavyweight - Interim Champion

WBA Heavyweight Title History

WBA Heavyweight Title History

WBA Heavyweight - Super Champion

WBA Heavyweight - World Champion

WBA Heavyweight - Interim Champion