Multidivision

0000-00-00 00:00:00 / Bosco

FROM 1892, which is recognized as the beginning of the sport's modern era, up until 1980, boxing produced just six champions who won titles in three weight classes. But the sport has expanded drastically. For decades there were just eight recognized weight divisions. Today there are 17. There are also four major governing bodies -- the WBC, IBF, WBO and WBA -- which recognize champions in each division, leaving the possiblity of having 68 world champions at a given time.

With such proliferation, winning world titles in more than one weight division is no longer noteworthy. In fact, since 1975, 12 fighters have been recognized by either the WBC, WBA or IBF as a champion in at least three divisions.

Henry Armstrong remains the only fighter in history to hold titles in three divisions simultaneously. In 1938, "Hammerin' Hank" owned the featherweight, lightweight and welterweight crowns, which range from 126- to 147 pounds.

Sugar Ray Leonard is the only man to win titles in five divisions, a weight span of 28 pounds. He captured two on the same night when the WBC allowed Leonard and Donny Lalonde to fight for the light heavyweight (175) and super middleweight (168) titles in 1988.

FIVE DIVISIONS
Ray Leonard: Light Heavyweight (1988), Super Middleweight (1988), Middleweight (1987), Jr. Middleweight (1981), Welterweight (1979)

FOUR DIVISIONS
Roberto Duran: Middleweight (1989), Jr. Middleweight (1983), Welterweight (1980), Lightweight (1972)
Thomas Hearns: Light Heavyweight (1987, 91), Middleweight (1987), Jr. Middleweight (1982), Welterweight (1980)
Pernell Whitaker: Jr. Middleweight (1995), Welterweight (1993), Jr. Welterweight (1992), Lightweight (1989)

THREE DIVISIONS
Oscar De La Hoya: Lightweight (1994), Jr. Welterweight (1996), Welterweight (1997)
Roy Jones Jr.: Middleweight (1993), Super Middleweight (1994), Light Heavyweight (1996)
Mike McCallum: Light Heavyweight (1994), Middleweight (1989), Jr. Middleweight (1984)
Iran Barkley: Light Heavyweight (1992), Super Middleweight (1992), Middleweight (1988)
Wilfredo Vazquez: Bantamweight (1987), Jr. Featherweight (1992), Featherweight (1996)
Wilfredo Gomez: Jr. Lightweight (1977), Featherweight (1984), Jr. Featherweight (1985)
Alexis Arguello: Lightweight (1981), Jr. Lightweight (1978), Featherweight (1974)
Julio Cesar Chavez: Jr. Welterweight (1989), Lightweight (1987), Jr. Lightweight (1984)
Wilfred Benitez: Jr. Middleweight (1981), Welterweight (1979), Jr. Welterweight (1976)
Jeff Fenech: Featherweight (1988), Jr. Featherweight (1987), Bantamweight (1985)
Emile Griffith: Middleweight (1966), Jr. Middleweight (1962), Welterweight (1961, 63)
Henry Armstrong: Welterweight (1938), Lightweight (1938), Featherweight (1937)
Barney Ross: Welterweight (1934, 35), Jr. Welterweight (1933), Lightweight (1933)
Tony Canzoneri: Jr. Welterweight (1931, 33), Lightweight (1930), Featherweight (1928)
Bob Fitzsimmons: Heavyweight (1897), Light Heavyweight (1903), Middleweight (1891)
Terry McGovern: Lightweight (1900), Featherweight (1900), Bantamweight (1899)