Light heavyweight
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In boxing, the light heavyweight division is the weight division between cruiserweight over 175 pounds (79.4 kg) and middleweight, 160 lb (72.6 kg). Throughout history this division's fighters have been overshadowed by the two more glamorous divisions it is sandwiched between. Nevertheless, the light heavyweight class has produced some of boxing's greatest champions; Archie Moore, Joey Maxim, Billy Conn, Roy Jones Jr., Michael Spinks and Bob Foster-to name a few.
Many light heavyweight champions unsuccessfully challenged for the heavyweight crown until Michael Spinks became the first reigning light heavyweight champion to win the heavyweight championship. Interestingly, Bob Fitzsimmons captured the light heavyweight championship after losing his heavyweight championship. Two all time great Heavyweight Champions Ezzard Charles and Floyd Patterson started out as light heavyweights, Charles defeating Archie Moore and Joey Maxim several times in non-title bouts before becoming heavyweight champion, and Patterson losing to Joey Maxim (though some thought Patterson should have won the fight) before becoming heavyweight champion himself.
The current Light heavyweight Champion is Bernard Hopkins. Hopkins won the belt from Antonio Tarver, in a completely one-sided fight on June 10, 2006 in what was supposed to be the last match of his career.
Olympic Light Heavyweight Champions
- 1920 Edward Eagan, USA
- 1924 Harry Mitchell, Great Britain
- 1928 Victor Avendanno, Argentina
- 1932 David Carstens, South Africa
- 1936 Roger Michelot, France
- 1948 George Hunter, South Africa
- 1952 Norvel Lee, USA
- 1956 James Boyd, USA
- 1960 Cassius Clay (later Muhammed Ali), USA
- 1964 Cosimo Pinto, Italy
- 1968 Dan Pozniak, Soviet Union
- 1972 Mate Parlov, Yugoslavia
- 1976 Leon Spinks, USA
- 1980 Slobodan Kacar, Yugoslavia
- 1984 Anton Josipovic, Yugoslavia
- 1988 Andrew Maynard, USA
- 1992 Torsten May, Germany
- 1996 Vassili Jirov, Kazakhstan
- 2000 Alexander Lebziak, Russia
- 2004 Andre Ward, USA
See also
| Weight divisions in boxing |
|---|
| Professional boxing |
| Strawweight | Flyweight | Bantamweight | Featherweight | Lightweight | Welterweight | Light Middleweight | Middleweight | Super Middleweight | Light Heavyweight | Cruiserweight | Heavyweight |
| 2004 Summer Olympics |
| Flyweight | Bantamweight | Featherweight | Lightweight | Welterweight | Middleweight | Light Heavyweight | Heavyweight | Super Heavyweight |
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