lineal championship#Boxing

File:Johnson Jeffries pre-fight introduction.jpg, the first lineal champion, came to welcome his successor, Jack Johnson. Ever since, it has been a tradition for champions of the past to attend title fights of recent champions, essentially to "pass the torch" and legitimize their reign.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}]]

The concept of a lineal champion was developed by boxing fans dissatisfied by the tendency of each of the various sanctioning bodies (WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO, etc.) to recognize different champions, and in particular to strip a champion of his title for refusing to fight its top-ranked contender. Prior to the 1970s, this rarely happened; the National Boxing Association (NBA) and the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) sometimes recognized different champions, but there was usually only a short interval before one champion defeated the other. In that era, a title vacancy was generally filled by having a single-elimination tournament box-off between two or more top-ranked contenders. The lineal championship is intended as a return to that era.

Early boxing champions at various weight divisions were established by acclamation between 1880 and 1920. Once a consensus champion had been awarded the title, the championship could usually be taken only by beating the reigning holder, establishing a lineal championship.

Several top boxers have specified holding the lineal championship as a personal accomplishment (e.g. Lennox Lewis{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2004-02-05-lewis-retirement_x.htm|title=Lewis retires, saying he has nothing left to prove|last=Rafael|first=Dan|date=2004-02-08|work=USA Today|access-date=2008-11-20|quote=The mission I set out on in the beginning – to become heavyweight champion of the world, undisputed, lineal champion – you could say that mission is complete.|archive-date=2009-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503091715/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2004-02-05-lewis-retirement_x.htm|url-status=live}}) or goal (e.g., Nate Campbell). Many boxing experts view the lineal championship as a prestigious status which trumps the world titles being issued by the sanctioning bodies (e.g. Steve Farhood).{{cite news|url=https://www.ontheropesboxing.com/steve-farhood-to-me-tyson-fury-lost-the-lineal-title-when-he-retired-for-personal-reasons/|title=SHO's Farhood: To Me, Fury Lost Lineal Title When He Retired|author=Jena J.|date=2018-12-20|quote=I don't want to give the alphabets too much credit and Wilder is obviously an alphabet champion with the WBC, but there's something to be said about lineal titles. It kind of overrides the alphabets at times because we know the alphabets can be nonsensical in who they choose to be champions and who they give title fights to. To me, Fury lost the lineal title when he retired for personal reasons.|work=On The Ropes Boxing|access-date=2018-12-22|archive-date=2018-12-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224023902/https://ontheropesboxing.com/steve-farhood-to-me-tyson-fury-lost-the-lineal-title-when-he-retired-for-personal-reasons/|url-status=live}}

In mixed martial arts (MMA), the lineal championship is of particular relevance because until the mid-2000s, the top-ranked fighters were spread out among a number of mixed martial arts promotions across the globe. This included Japanese promotions such as Pride Fighting Championships, Pancrase, and Dream, as well as US-based promotions such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), World Extreme Cage Fighting (WEC), and Strikeforce. The UFC eventually purchased most of the major promotions{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2011/03/ufc-purchases-strikeforce|title=UFC purchases Strikeforce; UFC boss says organizations to operate independently|date=12 March 2011|website=Mmajunkie.com|access-date=2016-10-24|archive-date=2016-10-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017125521/http://mmajunkie.com/2011/03/ufc-purchases-strikeforce|url-status=live}} and, as a result, almost all of the lineal champions are currently signed with the promotion. The exception at this time is Francis Ngannou, who is signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) following payment disputes with the UFC.

An issue in the implementation of a lineal championship is what to do if the lineal champion retires, dies, or moves to a different weight class. Different ways of resolving this vacancy mean the lineal championship may be subject to dispute. Since the modern lineal championship is a notional title tracked by fans, there is no money or organization to arrange a box-off to fill a vacant title, and there may not be consensus on who the top contenders are – this is true both for boxing and MMA. One example given by Cliff Rold, writing for Cyber Boxing Zone, is the light heavyweight title, considered vacant from the time Michael Spinks moved up to heavyweight in 1985 until 1996. While Rold considers WBA titlist Virgil Hill's defeat of IBF titlist Henry Maske in 1996 as the beginning of the next line of succession, others trace the title through Roy Jones Jr.{{cite web|url=http://cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/w0707-rold.htm|title=Boxing's Lineal Mathematics: Champion Versus Champion II|last=Rold|first=Cliff|work=Wail!|publisher=CBZ|access-date=2010-01-29|archive-date=2011-08-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809214611/http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/w0707-rold.htm|url-status=live}} after he had unified the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles in 1999.{{cite news |title=Undisputed Chaos: Boxing Belts & Titles Create Unending Confusion |url=https://www.thefightcity.com/undisputed-chaos-title-belts-boxing/ |access-date=16 February 2023 |work=The Fight City |date=25 September 2017}} The Ring presented Jones with its inaugural light heavyweight belt in 2002 even though then WBO titlist Dariusz Michalczewski had defeated Hill for the WBA and IBF titles in 1997 and was stripped of them.

Another criticism of the lineal championship is that a fighter may defend it against inferior opponents. For example, George Foreman was considered lineal champion from 1994 until 1997, when Shannon Briggs beat him. After the WBA and IBF stripped him of their titles in 1995, Foreman fought only two, low-ranked opponents before Briggs. The lineal champion is not necessarily the boxer viewed as the best. Cyber Boxing Zone and BoxingScene considered Zsolt Erdei the lineal light-heavyweight champion from his 2004 defeat of Julio César González until 2009 when he vacated his title and moved up to cruiserweight. As he had not fought the highest-ranked opponents in the interim, Cliff Rold conceded, "while the concept of a champion needing to lose a title in the ring is solid, the practice is sometimes highly flawed".{{cite web|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=23459|title=Erdei Vacates: Ding-Dong, the Lineage Argument is Dead|last=Rold|first=Cliff|date=2009-11-14|publisher=BoxingScene|access-date=2010-01-29|archive-date=2021-10-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017151611/https://www.boxingscene.com/erdei-vacates-ding-dong-lineage-argument-dead--23459|url-status=live}}

In mixed martial arts, most controversy centers on the proper method for determining the first lineal MMA champion within each weight class. Early fights did not follow the currently agreed upon weight classes determined by the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, a rule set that was not finalized until the year 2000. For example: Some consider Mark Coleman's victory in 1997, when he became the first UFC Heavyweight champion, to be the beginning of the Heavyweight lineage. Others argue that Royce Gracie's victory at UFC 1 in 1993 is the true heavyweight starting point due to the Open-weight nature of the tournament. In this case, however, the lineal titles converge and unify with the current UFC Heavyweight title, so the champion remains the same regardless of which lineage one chooses to follow.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/williamstake/article_17024.shtml|title=WILLIAMS: Why the lightweight division's lineal championship may be the last remaining outside of the UFC|website=Mmatorch.com|access-date=2016-10-24|archive-date=2016-08-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803185155/http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/williamstake/article_17024.shtml|url-status=live}}

{{Primary sources|section|date=May 2024|find2 = boxing lineal champion}}

{{further|List of The Ring world champions{{!}}List of The Ring world champions}}

The boxing magazine The Ring has its own lineal championship. The original sequence was from its first publication in the 1920s until its hiatus in 1989, continuing as late as 1992 in some divisions. When it started awarding titles again in 2001, it did not calculate retrospective lineages to fill in the gap years, instead nominating a new champion.{{cite web|url=http://www.maxboxing.com/Kim/kim092602.asp |title=Boxing News : The Disputed Light Heavyweight Champion of the World |access-date=2016-10-24 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041015134801/http://www.maxboxing.com/Kim/kim092602.asp |archive-date=2004-10-15 }} CBZ commented in 2004, "The Ring has forfeited its credibility by pulling names out of its ass to name fighters as champions". In 2007, The Ring was acquired by the owners of fight promoter Golden Boy Promotions,{{cite web|url=http://www.goldenboypromotions.com/media/2007/sept/9.12.07_mag.htm |title=Golden Boy Enterprises' Subsidiary, Sports and Entertainment Publications, LLC, Acquires The Ring Magazine, KO, World Boxing and Pro Wrestling Illustrated |date=2007-09-12 |publisher=Golden Boy Promotions |access-date=2008-11-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081119150246/http://www.goldenboypromotions.com/media/2007/sept/9.12.07_mag.htm |archive-date=2008-11-19 }} which has publicized The Ring's world championship when this is at stake in fights it promotes (such as Joe Calzaghe vs. Roy Jones, Jr. in 2008).{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-178384366.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022090855/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-178384366.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-10-22|title=Calzaghe claim far from undisputed|last=Kimball|first=George|date= 2008-04-27|work=Boston Herald|access-date=2008-11-14}} Since 2012, to reduce the number of vacant titles, The Ring allows fights between a #1 or #2 contender and a #3, #4, or #5 contender to fill a vacant title. This has prompted further doubts about its credibility.{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/43689/boxing-with-dan-rafae |title=Chat: Chat with Dan Rafael - SportsNation - ESPN |website=Espn.go.com |access-date=2016-10-24}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite web|url=http://queensberry-rules.com/2012-articles/may/the-horrible-new-ring-magazine-championship-policy.html |title=The Horrible New Ring Magazine Championship Policy |publisher=Queensberry Rules |date=2012-05-04 |access-date=2016-10-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507093439/http://queensberry-rules.com/2012-articles/may/the-horrible-new-ring-magazine-championship-policy.html |archive-date=2012-05-07 }}{{cite web |last=Magno |first=Paul |url=http://theboxingtribune.com/2012/05/ring-magazines-pretend-rankings-upgrade-championship-policy/ |title=Ring Magazine's pretend rankings upgrade 'championship' policy |website=Theboxingtribune.com |date=4 May 2012 |access-date=2016-10-24 |archive-date=2016-03-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316144239/http://theboxingtribune.com/2012/05/ring-magazines-pretend-rankings-upgrade-championship-policy/ |url-status=live }}

The Cyber Boxing Zone (CBZ) website maintains lists of lineal champions, with input from boxing historian Tracy Callis of the International Boxing Research Organization.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/w0804-lineal.html|title=What the CBZ Means When it Refers to "Lineal Championships"|last=DeLisa|first=Mike|date=August 2004|work=The CBZ Journal|publisher=cyberboxingzone|access-date=12 August 2013|archive-date=6 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106001755/http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/w0804-lineal.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/pastchp.htm|title=The Cyber Boxing Zone Lineal World Champions|publisher=Cyber Boxing Zone|access-date=2008-11-20|archive-date=2018-08-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805212532/http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/pastchp.htm|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/pastchp.htm|title=Lineal Boxing World Champions|publisher=Cyber Boxing Zone|access-date=12 August 2013|archive-date=5 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805212532/http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/pastchp.htm|url-status=live}} These were first published in 1994, and are retrospective to the introduction of Marquess of Queensberry Rules in 1885. The historical lists have sometimes been updated when new information about old fights comes to light.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/cbzforum/showthread.php?2092-New-Lineal-Bantamweight-Championship-Title-Claimant!|title=New Lineal Bantamweight Championship Title Claimant!|work=CBZ Historical News|publisher=Cyber Boxing Zone|access-date=12 August 2013|archive-date=6 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106001756/http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/cbzforum/showthread.php?2092-New-Lineal-Bantamweight-Championship-Title-Claimant!|url-status=live}} If its lineal champion at one weight class moves to another class, CBZ does not automatically vacate his title.{{cite news|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/fighting-words-mosley-vs-mora-debacle-caveat-empty--31101|title="Fighting Words" – Mosley vs Mora Debacle: Caveat Empty|last=Greisman|first=David P.|date=20 September 2010|access-date=17 August 2013|archive-date=17 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017151612/https://www.boxingscene.com/fighting-words-mosley-vs-mora-debacle-caveat-empty--31101|url-status=live}}

BoxingScene.com disagrees with the lineages given by The Ring and by CBZ, especially in lower weight divisions with a higher rate of champions changing division. BoxingScene has traced its own most recent lineages, generally back to the 1990s.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=18453|title=Crowning And Recognizing A Lineal Champion – Part I|last=Donovan|first=Jake|date=2009-02-16|publisher=BoxingScene|access-date=2010-01-29|archive-date=2021-10-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017151613/https://www.boxingscene.com/crowning-recognizing-lineal-champion-part-i--18453|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=18468|title=Crowning And Recognizing A Lineal Champion – Part II|last=Donovan|first=Jake|date=2009-02-17|publisher=BoxingScene|access-date=2010-01-29|archive-date=2021-10-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017151613/https://www.boxingscene.com/crowning-recognizing-lineal-champion-part-ii--18468|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=18518|title=Crowning And Recognizing A Lineal Champion – Part III|last=Donovan|first=Jake|date=2009-02-19|publisher=BoxingScene|access-date=2010-01-29|archive-date=2021-10-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017151613/https://www.boxingscene.com/crowning-recognizing-lineal-champion-part-iii--18518|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/crowning-recognizing-lineal-champion-part-iv--18536|title=Crowning And Recognizing A Lineal Champion – Part IV|last=Donovan|first=Jake|newspaper=Boxingscene.com|date=20 February 2009|publisher=boxingscene|access-date=12 August 2013|archive-date=17 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017151613/https://www.boxingscene.com/crowning-recognizing-lineal-champion-part-iv--18536|url-status=live}}

The Transnational Boxing Rankings Board (TBRB) was formed in October 2012 as a volunteer initiative to provide boxing with top-ten rankings, identify the singular world champion of every division, and to insist on the sport's reform.{{cite news |url=https://www.boxing247.com/boxing-news/the-transnational-boxing-rankings-board-more-support-is-needed/43861?_e_pi_=7,PAGE_ID10,1792218646 |title=The Transnational Boxing Rankings Board: More Support is Needed - Boxing News |newspaper=Boxing News 24/7 |date=2015-07-19 |access-date=2016-10-24 |archive-date=2016-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024225827/https://www.boxing247.com/boxing-news/the-transnational-boxing-rankings-board-more-support-is-needed/43861?_e_pi_=7,PAGE_ID10,1792218646 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/boxing/post/_/id/2135/tbrb-a-viable-alphabet-alternative|last=Raskin|first=Eric|date=2013-04-02|title=TBRB: A viable alphabet alternative?|work=ESPN|access-date=2016-04-24|archive-date=2016-04-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425003426/http://espn.go.com/blog/boxing/post/_/id/2135/tbrb-a-viable-alphabet-alternative|url-status=live}} Board membership includes fifty boxing journalists and record keepers from around the world independent of sanctioning bodies and promoters. The board was formed to continue where The Ring "left off" in the aftermath of its purchase by Golden Boy Promotions in 2007 and the following dismissal of the editorial board headed by Nigel Collins.{{cite news|author1=Tim Starks|url=http://thecomeback.com/queensberryrules/2011-articles/the-ring-magazine-shakes-up-its-leadership-threatens-its-credibility.html|title=The Ring Magazine Shakes Up Its Leadership, Threatens Its Credibility|work=The Queensberry Rules|date=September 9, 2011|access-date=April 19, 2016|archive-date=May 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505032653/http://thecomeback.com/queensberryrules/2011-articles/the-ring-magazine-shakes-up-its-leadership-threatens-its-credibility.html|url-status=live}}

After the new editors of The Ring announced a controversial new championship policy in May 2012,[https://web.archive.org/web/20160101230757/http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/172677-the-ring-updates-championship-policy The Ring updates championship policy] three prominent members of the Ring Advisory Panel resigned. These three members (Springs Toledo, Cliff Rold and Tim Starks) became the founding members of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/the-balls-of-wrath/2015/feb/02/transnational-boxing-rankings-board-sport-titles|title=Boxing loses credibility with every new champion. Can the sport be saved?|first=Paul|last=Gibson|date=2 February 2015|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=15 December 2016|archive-date=3 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103061649/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/the-balls-of-wrath/2015/feb/02/transnational-boxing-rankings-board-sport-titles|url-status=live}} which was formed over the summer of 2012 with the assistance of Stewart Howe of England. The board only awards vacant championships when the two top-ranked fighters in any division meet.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/queensberry-rules-boxing-blog/2013/oct/15/boxing-one-champion-every-weight|title=What if boxing had one champion for every weight division?|work=The guardian|date=October 15, 2013|access-date=May 27, 2016|archive-date=May 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504004812/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/queensberry-rules-boxing-blog/2013/oct/15/boxing-one-champion-every-weight|url-status=live}}

SI.com published galleries of lineal heavyweight and middleweight champions.{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/1010/lineal.heavyweight.champions/content.1.html|title=Lineal Heavyweight Champions - Photos|work=SI.com|access-date=12 August 2013|archive-date=21 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921161648/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/1010/lineal.heavyweight.champions/content.1.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/1011/lineal.middleweight.champions/content.1.html|title=Lineal Middleweight Champs Since 1941 - Photos|work=SI.com|access-date=12 August 2013|archive-date=21 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521065432/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/1011/lineal.middleweight.champions/content.1.html|url-status=dead}}

Since April 6, 2019, LinealBoxingChampion.com (LBC) has been producing monthly, non-computerized divisional rankings for women's professional boxing.{{cite web |title=LinealBoxingChampion.com: The Record Keeper of Boxing's Lineal Title |url=https://www.linealboxingchampion.com/announcements/2019/4/7/womens-monthly-boxing-ratings-april-6th-2019 |website=Lineal Boxing Champion |access-date=26 August 2020 |archive-date=17 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017151614/https://www.linealboxingchampion.com/announcements/2019/4/7/womens-monthly-boxing-ratings-april-6th-2019 |url-status=live }} The rankings are compiled by an international team of ten boxing experts,{{cite web |title=LinealBoxingChampion.com: The Record Keeper of Boxing's Lineal Title |url=https://www.linealboxingchampion.com/new-page |website=Lineal Boxing Champion |access-date=2020-08-26 |archive-date=2019-11-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130172618/https://www.linealboxingchampion.com/new-page |url-status=live }} which includes site editor and member of the International Boxing Research Organization, Adam McMeeking (from the UK),{{Cite web|url = https://www.ibroresearch.com/about/member-list/|title = Member List|date = 2 August 2019|access-date = 19 September 2020|archive-date = 20 November 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201120002039/https://www.ibroresearch.com/about/member-list/|url-status = live}} International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame 2019 inductee,{{cite web |title=Latest News Story on WBAN |url=http://womenboxing.com/NEWS2019/news012619IWBHF-Press-release-announcing-2019-inductees.htm |website=womenboxing.com |access-date=2020-08-26 |archive-date=2020-05-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518154912/http://womenboxing.com/NEWS2019/news012619IWBHF-Press-release-announcing-2019-inductees.htm |url-status=live }} David Avila (from the US), Max Boxing journalist{{Cite web|url=https://www.maxboxing.com/authors|title=Authors|access-date=2020-09-19|archive-date=2020-09-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922042505/https://www.maxboxing.com/authors|url-status=live}} and former Boxing Monthly contributor, Anthony Cocks (from Australia){{Cite web |url=http://www.boxingmonthly.com/stories/aussie-wrap-up-for-october/ |title=Aussie wrap-up for October - Boxing Monthly |access-date=2020-09-19 |archive-date=2017-11-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171106013736/http://www.boxingmonthly.com/stories/aussie-wrap-up-for-october/ |url-status=live }} and Ring Magazine contributor, Yuriko Miyata (from Japan).{{cite web |title=Kosei Tanaka-Jonathan Gonzalez WBO flyweight title bout to be streamed live on RingTV.com |url=https://www.ringtv.com/575406-kosei-tanaka-jonathan-gonzalez-wbo-flyweight-title-bout-to-be-streamed-live-on-ringtv-com/ |website=The Ring |access-date=26 August 2020 |date=22 August 2019 |archive-date=17 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017151616/https://www.ringtv.com/575406-kosei-tanaka-jonathan-gonzalez-wbo-flyweight-title-bout-to-be-streamed-live-on-ringtv-com/ |url-status=live }} In keeping with the tradition, the lineal champion status is awarded to the winner of a fight between the number one and number two ranked contenders.{{cite web |title=Fury's lineal championship: To be the man, you have to beat the man |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/27595212/fury-lineal-championship-man-beat-man |website=ESPN.com |language=en |date=12 September 2019 |access-date=26 August 2020 |archive-date=22 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222172431/https://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/27595212/fury-lineal-championship-man-beat-man |url-status=live }} Due to its limited number of competitors LBC does not recognize the light heavyweight division. LBC also keeps a record of the lineal champions in men's boxing, across all 17 weight classes, from the 1880s to present.

• Muhammad Ali is the only three-time lineal heavyweight boxing champion. He beat Sonny Liston in 1964,{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/boxing/muhammad-alis-victory-against-liston-3181496|title=Muhammad Ali's victory against Liston went beyond boxing and was a hi-viz jacket for civil liberties, a giant step for mankind|work=Mirror.co.uk|date=25 February 2014|access-date=4 April 2018|archive-date=19 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819143804/http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/boxing/muhammad-alis-victory-against-liston-3181496|url-status=live}} George Foreman in 1974,{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/1030.html|title=Ali Regains Title, Flooring Foreman|date=October 30, 1974|work=New York Times|access-date=March 2, 2017|archive-date=March 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312183836/http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/1030.html|url-status=live}} and Leon Spinks in 1978.
• Manny Pacquiao is the first professional boxer in history to win the lineal world championship in four different weight categories.* (flyweight, featherweight, super-featherweight, and light-welterweight.)
• Floyd Mayweather matched Manny Pacquiao,{{Cite web |last=Rold |first=Cliff |date=2022-09-05 |title=Measured Against All Time: Floyd Mayweather Jr. |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/measured-against-all-time-floyd-mayweather-jr--168845 |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=BoxingScene.com |language=en-us}} by winning lineal championships in four weight classes. As well as lineal titles at flyweight, featherweight, junior lightweight and junior welterweight, Pacquiao also won the TBRB and The Cyber Boxing Zone welterweight title in 2016, however, he did not gain international consensus as the true lineal welterweight champion of the division,{{Cite web |last=Rold |first=Cliff |date=2016-04-09 |title=Pacquiao-Bradley III: Pre-Fight Report Card |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/pacquiao-bradley-iii-pre-fight-report-card--103247 |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=BoxingScene.com |language=en-us}} as at the time of Pacquiao/Bradley 3, many (including Ring Magazine){{Cite web |last=McCarson |first=Kelsey |title=Why Floyd Mayweather's Next Opponent Should Be Kell Brook or Erislandy Lara |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2505682-why-floyd-mayweathers-next-opponent-should-be-kell-brook-or-erislandy-lara |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}} considered Kell Brook {{Cite web |title=Kell Brook the world's leading welterweight, says Paulie Malignaggi |url=https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/10253447/kell-brook-the-worlds-leading-welterweight-says-paulie-malignaggi |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=Sky Sports |language=en}} to be the best welterweight in the world. Boxing Monthly had Tim Bradley ranked at #3https://www.linealboxingchampion.com/new-page-47 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}} and The Ring had Bradley at #4. No major sanctioning body titles were on the line for Pacquiao/Bradley 3, and neither was The Ring title.{{Cite web |last=Fischer |first=Doug |date=2016-04-10 |title=Manny Pacquiao dominates Tim Bradley, confirms retirement |url=https://www.ringtv.com/418273-manny-pacquiao-dominates-tim-bradley-confirms-retirement/ |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=The Ring}} Pacquiao has held three Ring titles in three different weight classes (featherweight, super featherweight, and light welterweight).{{cite web|url=http://www.ringtv.com/blog/1263/pacquiao_seeking_title_in_record_seventh_division/|last=Rosenthal|first=Michael|date=2009-10-28|work=The Ring blog|title=Pacquiao seeking title in record seventh division|quote=Pacquiao has won titles as a flyweight (1998), junior featherweight (2001), featherweight (2003, The Ring), junior lightweight (2008), lightweight (2008) and junior welterweight (2009, The Ring), which equals Oscar De La Hoya's six-division record. And boxing historian Cliff Rold pointed out that Pacquiao is the only fighter in history to win four lineal titles (112 pounds, 126, 130, and 140)|access-date=2010-01-29|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091101063118/http://www.ringtv.com/blog/1263/pacquiao_seeking_title_in_record_seventh_division/|archive-date=2009-11-01}}
• Peter Aerts is the only five-time lineal heavyweight kickboxing champion. He beat Patrick Smith in 1994, Andy Hug in 1997, Ernesto Hoost in 1998, Andy Hug in 1998, and Semmy Schilt in 2010.{{cite web |last=Coffeen |first=Fraser |url=http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2015/2/6/7990273/kickboxing-lineal-title-history-lineal-heavyweight-champion-errol-zimmerman-glory-19-spike |title=Kickboxing lineal title history: Lineal Heavyweight gold on the line at Glory 19 |work=Bloody Elbow |date=2015-02-06 |access-date=2016-10-24 |archive-date=2016-04-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425045948/http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2015/2/6/7990273/kickboxing-lineal-title-history-lineal-heavyweight-champion-errol-zimmerman-glory-19-spike |url-status=live }}
• Fedor Emelianenko, heavyweight mixed martial artist, held the lineal title for longer than any fighter in history.{{cite web |url=http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2015/1/29/7933307/a-lineal-title-supported-argument-for-the-goat-in-mma |title=A Lineal Title Supported Argument for the GOAT in MMA |publisher=Bloody Elbow |date=2015-01-29 |access-date=2016-10-24 |archive-date=2016-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024215544/http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2015/1/29/7933307/a-lineal-title-supported-argument-for-the-goat-in-mma |url-status=live }} Fedor won the title from Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira in 2003 and defended it 18 times before eventually losing it to Fabricio Werdum in 2010.{{cite web |last=Savage |first=Greg |url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Fedor-Loses-Werdum-Shocks-the-World-25338 |title=Fedor Loses: Werdum Shocks the World |website=Sherdog.com |date=2010-06-26 |access-date=2016-10-24 |archive-date=2010-06-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100629161750/http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Fedor-Loses-Werdum-Shocks-the-World-25338 |url-status=live }}
• Claressa Shields and Jessica McCaskill are the only women to be recognized as two-weight lineal champions.{{Cite web|title=LinealBoxingChampion.com: The Record Keeper of Boxing's Lineal Title|url=https://www.linealboxingchampion.com/announcements/2021/3/15/womens-monthly-rankings-march-15th-2021|access-date=2021-03-17|website=Lineal Boxing Champion|language=en-US}}

• List of current world boxing champions

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/pastchp.htm The Lineal Boxing World Champions] at The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia
• [http://www.tbrb.org Transnational Boxing Rankings Board]

{{World boxing champions|state=expanded}}

{{Boxing}}

Category:Boxing rules and regulations

Category:Boxing champions