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Boxing: Featherweight Champions (126 pounds)

History

The featherweight class began about 1860, during the bareknuckle era of boxing. The first formal weight limit was established at 118 pounds during the 1880s, but was lowered to 110 pounds in 1889.

When George Dixon won the American version of the featherweight championship with a victory over Cal McCarthy in 1890, the limit was set at 115 pounds. After Dixon won the world title in 1892, his manager raised it to 120 pounds because Dixon had reached that weight. The present limit of 126 pounds was established in 1920.

The lists below include generally recognized champions, as well as champions of the National Boxing Association/World Boxing Association (NBA/WBA), World Boxing Council (WBC) and International Boxing Federation (IBF).

Some other champions recognized by New York (NY), Great Britain (GBR), Europe and the European Boxing Union (EBU) are also included, if they seemed to be genuine claimants and/or later won recognition from an international body.

Only those bouts are included in which the championship changed hands or the championships of two or more governing bodies was unified.

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Champions

Torpedo Billy Murphy 1890
Young Griffo 1890-92
George Dixon 1892-97
Solly Smith 1897-98
Ben Jordan (GBR) 1898-99
Eddie Santry (GBR) 1899-1900
Dave Sullivan 1898
George Dixon 1898-1900
Terry McGovern 1900-01
Young Corbett II 1901-04
Jimmy Britt 1904
Abe Attell 1904
Brooklyn Tommy Sullivan 1904-05
Abe Attell 1906-12
Johnny Kilbane 1912-23
Jem Driscoll (GBR) 1912-13
Eugene Criqui 1923
Johnny Dundee 1923-24
Louis (Kid) Kaplan 1925-26
Dick Finnegan (MA) 1926-27
Benny Bass 1927-28
Tony Canzoneri 1928
Andre Routis 1928-29
Battling Battalino 1929-32
Tommy Paul (NBA) 1932-33
Kid Chocolate (NY) 1932-33
Freddie Miller (NBA) 1933-36
Baby Arizmendi (MEX) 1935-36
Mike Belloise (NY) 1936-37
Petey Sarron (NBA) 1936-37
Henry Armstrong 1937-38
Joey Archibald (NY) 1938-39
Leo Rodak (NBA) 1938-39
Joey Archibald 1939-40
Petey Scalzo (NBA) 1940-41
Jimmy Perrin (LA) 1940-41
Harry Jeffra 1940-41
Joey Archibald 1941
Richie Lemos (NBA) 1941
Chalky Wright 1941-42
Jackie Wilson (NBA) 1941-43
Willie Pep 1942-48
Jackie Callura (NBA) 1943
Phil Terranova (NBA) 1943-44
Sal Bartolo (NBA) 1944-46
Sandy Saddler 1948-49
Willie Pep 1949-50
Sandy Saddler 1950-57
Hogan (Kid) Bassey 1957-59
Davey Moore 1959-63
Ultiminio (Sugar) Ramos 1963-64
Vicente Saldivar 1964-67
Howard Winstone (GBR) 1968
Raul Rojas (WBA) 1968
Jose Legra (WBC) 1968-69
Shozo Saijyo (WBA) 1968-71
Johnny Famechon (WBC) 1969-70
Vicente Saldivar (WBC) 1970
Kuniaki Shibata (WBC) 1970-72
Antonio Gomez (WBA) 1971-72
Clemente Sanchez (WBC) 1972
Ernesto Marcel (WBA) 1972-74
Jose Legra (WBC) 1972-73
Eder Jofre (WBC) 1973-74
Ruben Olivares (WBA) 1974
Bobby Chacon (WBC) 1974-75
Alexis Arguello (WBA) 1974-76
Ruben Olivares (WBC) 1975
David (Poison) Kotey (WBC) 1975-76
Danny (Little Red) Lopez (WBC) 1976-80
Rafael Ortega (WBA) 1977
Cecilio Lastra (WBA) 1977-78
Eusebio Pedroza (WBA) 1978-85
Salvador Sanchez (WBC) 1980-82
Juan Laporte (WBC) 1982-84
Wilfredo Gomez (WBC) 1984
Min-Keun Oh (IBF) 1984-85
Azumah Nelson (WBC) 1984-88
Barry Mcguigan (WBA) 1985-86
Ki-Young Chung (IBF) 1985-86
Steve Cruz (WBA) 1986-87
Antonio Rivera (IBF) 1986-88
Antonio Esparragoza (WBA) 1987-91
Calvin Grove (IBF) 1988
Jorge Paez (IBF) 1988-91
Jeff Fenech (WBC) 1988-90
Marcos Villasana (WBC) 1990-91
Yung-Kyun Park (WBA) 1991-93
Troy Dorsey (IBF) 1991
Manuel Medina (IBF) 1991-93
Paul Hodkinson (WBC) 1991-93
Tom Johnson (IBF) 1993-97
Goyo Vargas (WBC) 1993
Kevin Kelley (WBC) 1993-95
Eloy Rojas (WBA) 1993-96
Alejandro Gonzalez (WBC) 1995
Manuel Medina (WBC) 1995-96
Wilfredo Vasquez (WBA) 1996-98
Luisito Espinosa (WBC) 1995-99
Naseem Hamed (IBF) 1997
Hector Lizarraga (IBF) 1997-98
Freddie Norwood (WBA) 1998
Manuel Medina (IBF) 1998-99
Antonio Cermeno (WBA) 1998-99
Cesar Soto (WBC) 1999-2000
Paul Ingle (IBF) 1999-2000
Mbuelo Botile (IBF) 2000-01
Guty Espadas (WBC) 2000-01
Freddie Norwood (WBA) 1999-2000
Derrick Gainer (WBA) 2000-
Erik Morales (WBC) 2001-02
Frankie Toledo (IBF) 2001
Manuel Medina (IBF) 2001-02
Johnny Tapia (IBF) 2002
Juan Manuel Marquez (WBA, IBF) 2003-
Chi In-jin (WBC)

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Championship Fights

1890
Jan. 13Billy MurphyKO 14Ike WeirSan Francisco 
 The Police Gazette promoted this as a world championship fight 
Feb. 2Young GriffoKO 15Billy MurphySydney 
May 7George DixonKO 18Nunc WallaceLondon 
 Dixon claimed the title after this fight 
1891
Jul. 28George DixonKO 5Abe WillisSan Francisco 
 Dixon won universal recognition with this victory 
1897
Oct. 4Solly SmithW 20George DixonSan Francisco 
1898
Sep. 26Dave SullivanKO 6Solly SmithBrooklyn 
Nov. 11George DixonW Disq. 10Dave SullivanNew York City 
1900
Jan. 9Terry McGovernKO 9George DixonNew York City 
1901
Nov. 28Young CorbettKO 2Terry McGovernHartford 
 Corbett and McGovern both became lightweights and Abe Attell claimed the title 
1903
Sep. 3Abe AttellW 20Johnny ReaganSt. Louis 
1904
Oct. 13Tommy SullivanKO 5Abe AttellSt. Louis 
 Attell said that Sullivan was over the weight limit and still claimed the title 
1908
Apr. 30Abe AttellKO 4Tommy SullivanSan Francisco 
 Attell cemented his claim to the title with this knockout 
1912
Feb. 22Johnny KilbaneW 20Abe AttellVernon, CA 
1923
May 2Eugene CriquiKO 6Johnny KilbaneNew York City 
Jul. 26Johnny DundeeW 15Eugene CriquiNew York City 
1925
 Dundee outgrew the division; a tournament was held to determine the champion 
Jan. 2Louis Kid KaplanKO 9Danny KramerNew York City 
 This was the final of the tournament 
1927
 Kaplan moved up in class; Bass and Chapman fought for the vacant title 
Sep. 12Benny BassW 10Red ChapmanPhiladelphia 
1928
Feb. 10Tony CanzoneriW 15Benny BassNew York City 
Sep. 28Andre RoutisW 15Tony CanzoneriNew York City 
1929
Sep. 23Battling BattalinoW 15Andre RoutisHartford 
1932
 Battalino moved up in class; the NBA held a tournament to determine the champion 
May 26Tommy PaulW 15Johnny PenaDetroitNBA
 This was the final of the NBA tournament 
Oct. 13Kid ChocolateKO 12Lew FeldmanNew York CityNY
 New York recognized Chocolate as champion because Feldman had beaten Paul 
1933
Jan. 13Freddie MillerW 10Tommy PaulChicagoNBA
1936
May 11Petey SarronW 15Freddie MillerWashington, DCNBA
1937
Oct. 29Henry ArmstrongKO 6Petey SarronNew York City 
1938
Oct. 17Joey ArchibaldW 15Mike BelloiseNew York City, NYNY
 Armstrong moved up in class; New York matched Archibald and Belloise for the title 
1939
Apr. 18Joey ArchibaldW 15Leo RodakProvidence 
 Archibald won universal recognition with this victory 
1940
May 20Harry JeffraW 15Joey ArchibaldBaltimore 
1941
May 12Joey ArchibaldW 15Harry JeffraWashington, DC 
 The NBA withdrew recognition of Archibald because he wouldn't fight Petey Scalzo 
Jul. 1Richie LemosKO 5Petey ScalzoLos AngelesNBA
Sep. 11Chalky WrightKO 11Joey ArchibaldWashington, DC 
Nov. 18Jackie WilsonW 12Richie LemosLos AngelesNBA
1942
Nov. 20Willie PepW 15Chalky WrightNew York City 
1943
Jan. 18Jackie CalluraW 15Jackie WilsonProvidenceNBA
Aug. 16Phil TerranovaKO 8Jackie CalluraNew OrleansNBA
1944
Mar. 10Sal BartoloW 15Phil TerranovaBostonNBA
1946
May 7Willie PepKO 12Sal BartoloNew York CityUnified
1948
Oct. 29Sandy SaddlerKO 4Willie PepNew York City 
1949
Feb. 11Willie PepW 15Sandy SaddlerNew York City 
1950
Sep. 8Sandy SaddlerKO 8Willie PepBronx, NY 
1957
 Saddler relinquished the title because of injuries suffered in an auto accident 
May 24Hogan Kid BasseyKO 10Cherif HamiaParis 
 This was the final bout of a tournament to determine the new champion 
1959
Mar. 18Davey MooreKO 14Hogan Kid BasseyLos Angeles 
1963
Mar. 21Sugar RamosKO 11Davey MooreLos Angeles 
1964
Sep. 26Vicente SaldivarKO 12Sugar RamosMexico City 
1967
 Vicente Saldivar announced his retirement on Oct. 14 
Dec. 14Raul RojasW 15Antonio HerreraLos AngelesCA
1968
Jan. 23Howard WinstoneKO 9Mitsunori SekiLondonBritain
Jul. 24Jose LegraKO 5Howard WinstonePorthcawl, WalesWBC
Sep. 28Shojo SaijyoW 15Raul RojasLos AngelesWBA
1969
Jan. 21Johnny FamechonW 15Jose LegraLondonWBC
1970
May 9Vicente SaldivarW 15Johnny FamechonRomeWBC
Dec. 11Kuniaki ShibataKO 14Vicente SaldivarBaja, CAWBC
1971
Sep. 2Antonio GomezKO 5Shojo SaijyoTokyoWBA
1972
May 19Clemente SanchezKO 3Kuniaki ShibataTokyoWBC
Aug. 19Ernesto MarcelW 15Antonio GomezMaracay, Ven.WBA
Dec. 16Jose LegraKO 10Clemente SanchezMonterrey, Mex.WBC
1973
May 5Eder JofreW 15Jose LegraBrasilia, BrazilWBC
1974
Jul. 9Ruben OlivaresKO 7Zensuke UtagawaInglewood, CAWBA
Sep. 7Bobby ChaconKO 9Alfredo MarcanoInglewood, CAWBC
Nov. 23Alexis ArguelloKO 13Ruben OlivaresInglewood, CAWBA
1975
May 20Ruben OlivaresKO 2Bobby ChaconInglewood, CAWBC
Sep. 20David KoteyW 15Ruben OlivaresInglewood, CAWBC
1976
Nov. 13Danny LopezW 15David KoteyAccra, GhanaWBC
1977
 Alexis Arguello moved up in class; Ortega and Coronado fought for the vacant title 
Jan. 15Rafael OrtegaW 15Francisco CoronadoPanama CityWBA
Dec. 17Cecilio LastraW 15Rafael OrtegaTorrelavega, SpainWBA
1978
Apr. 15Eusebio PedrozaKO 13Cecilio LastraPanama CityWBA
1980
Feb. 2Salvador SanchezKO 13Danny LopezPhoenixWBC
1982
Sep. 15Juan LaPorteKO 11Mario MirandaNew York CityWBC
1984
Mar. 4Min Keun OhKO 2Joko ArterSeoulIBF
Mar. 31Wilfredo GomezW 12Juan LaPorteHato Rey, PRWBC
Dec. 8Azumah NelsonKO 11Wilfredo GomezSan JuanWBC
1985
May 8Barry McGuiganW 15Eusebio PedrozaLondonWBA
Nov. 29Ki Yung ChungKO 15Min Keun OhChonju, S. KoreaIBF
1986
May 23Steve CruzW 15Barry McGuiganLas VegasWBA
1987
Mar. 6Antonio EsparragozaKO 12Steve CruzFort WorthWBA
1988
Jan. 25Calvin GroveKO 4Tonito RiveraGamaches, FranceIBF
Mar. 7Jeff FenechKO 10Victor CallejasSydneyWBC
Aug. 4Jorge PaezW 15Calvin GroveMexicali, Mex.IBF
1990
May 2Marcos VillasanaKO 8Paul HodkinsonManchester, EnglandWBC
1991
Mar. 30Yung Kyun ParkW 12Antonio EsparragozaKwangju, S. KoreaWBA
May 3Troy DorseyKO 1Alfred RangelLas VegasIBF
Aug. 12Manuel MedinaW 12Troy DorseyInglewood, CAIBF
Nov. 13Paul HodkinsonW 12Marcos VillasanaBelfastWBC
1993
Feb. 26Tom JohnsonW 12Manuel MedinaMelun, FranceIBF
Apr. 28Goyo VargasKO 7Paul HodkinsonDublinWBC
Dec. 4Kevin KelleyW 12Goyo VargasRenoWBC
Dec. 4Eloy RojasW 12Kyun Yung ParkKwangmyung, S. KoreaWBA
1995
Jan. 7Alejandro GonzalezKO 10Kevin KelleySan AntonioWBC
Sep. 23Manuel MedinaW 12Alejandro GonzalezSacramentoWBC
Dec. 11Luisito EspinosaW 12Manuel MedinaTokyoWBC
1996
May 18Wilfredo VasquezKO 10Eloy RojasLas VegasWBA
1997
Feb. 8Naseem Hamed TKO 1Tom JohnsonMilwall, EnglandIBF
 Naseem Hamed moved up in class; Lizarraga and Ncita fought for the vacant IBF title 
Dec. 13Hector LizarragaTKO 11Welcome NcitaPompano Beach, Fla.IBF
1998
 The WBA stripped Wilfredo Vasquez of his title 
Apr. 3Freddie NorwoodW 12Antonio CermenoBayamon, P.R.WBA
Apr. 24Manuel MedinaW 12Hector LizarragaSan Jose, CAIBF
 Freddie Norwood lost the WBA title in September for failing to make the weight 
Oct. 3Antonio CermenoKO 4Genaro RiosCaracas, VENWBA
1999
May 15Cesar SotoW 12Luisito EspinosaEl Paso, Tex.WBC
Oct. 22Naseem HamedW 12Cesar SotoDetroitWBC, WBO
Nov. 13Paul IngleW 12Manuel MedinaHull, ENGIBF
2000
 Naseem Hamed relinquished the WBC title in favor of the WBO title in January 
Apr. 14Guty EspadasTWu 11Luisito EspinosaMerida, MEXWBC
 Espadas won the vacant WBC title 
Sept. 2Erik MoralesTKO 7Kevin KelleyEl Paso, Tex.WBC
 Morales won the interim WBC title because Guty Espadas was out with an injury 
Dec. 16Mbulelo BotileKO 12Paul IngleSheffield, EnglandIBF
2001
Feb. 17Erik MoralesW 12Guty EspadasLas VegasWBC
 Morales won the regular WBC title with this victory 
Feb. 24Derrick GainerWs 12Victor PoloTampa, Fla.WBA
Apr. 6Frankie ToledoWu 12Mbulelo BotileLas VegasIBF
2002
Apr. 27Johnny TapiaW 12Manuel MedinaNew York CityIBF
 Tapia was stripped of the IBF title in October for non-defense 
2003
Feb. 1Juan Manuel MarquezTKO 7Manuel MedinaLas VegasIBF
 Marquez won the vacated IBF title 
Nov. 1Juan Manuel MarquezTD 7Derrick GainerGrand Rapids, MIWBA, IBF
2004
July 24Chi In-jinTKO 10Eiichi SugamaSeoul, KoreaWBC
 In-jin won the vacated WBC title 

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This page last updated Wednesday, 18-Feb-2009 16:15:54 EST
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