16 Elite Boxers Who Have Claimed Titles Across Four or More Weight Divisions

In the past, securing multiple world titles in boxing was more challenging due to the limited number of weight divisions, which stood at just eight. Now, the sport boasts 18 weight classes, thanks to the inclusion of junior, super, and cruiserweight categories. Some champions have managed to win titles in four divisions by moving up just 10 pounds, while others have had to gain over 40 pounds to achieve the same feat.

This compilation highlights 16 legendary boxers who have won at least four major world or lineal championships across various weight classes. Major titles are recognized by the IBF, WBO, WBC, and WBA. While other fighters have also won titles in four or more divisions, their achievements often include lesser-known titles from organizations like the IBO, WBF, WBU, and NBA.

Before diving into the details, here’s a breakdown of the current boxing divisions and their respective weight limits: Jr. Minimumweight (102 lbs), Minimumweight (105 lbs), Light Flyweight (108 lbs), Flyweight (112 lbs), Super Flyweight (115 lbs), Bantamweight (118 lbs), Super Bantamweight (122 lbs), Featherweight (126 lbs), Super Featherweight (130 lbs), Lightweight (135 lbs), Super Lightweight (140 lbs), Welterweight (147 lbs), Super Welterweight (154 lbs), Middleweight (160 lbs), Super Middleweight (168 lbs), Light Heavyweight (175 lbs), Cruiserweight (200 lbs), and Heavyweight (no upper limit).

16. Leo Gamez

Leo Gamez, a Venezuelan boxer, is perhaps the least recognized name on this list, having competed in the lower weight categories. He secured four WBA World Titles across minimumweight, light flyweight, flyweight, and super flyweight divisions. These titles were achieved within a 10-pound range, which represented approximately 10% of his body weight. Gamez’s career spanned from 1985 to 2005, finishing with a record of 35-12-1, including 26 knockouts. However, six of his losses occurred in his final nine fights. He made history as the first flyweight boxer to win titles in four different weight classes. In 2002, he attempted to claim a fifth title but was defeated by WBA Champion Johnny Bredhal via unanimous decision in a bid for the bantamweight crown.

15. Jorge Arce

Jorge Arce of Mexico is another notable four-division world champion, having won WBO World Titles in the light flyweight, super flyweight, bantamweight, and super bantamweight categories. He also held the Lineal Light Flyweight Championship and the interim WBC Flyweight Championship. Arce’s titles were spread across a 14-pound weight range. He became the second Mexican boxer, after Erik Morales, to win championships in four different weight classes. Arce’s career lasted from 1996 to 2014, during which he became a five-time world champion, claiming the light flyweight title at just 19 years old. He attempted to secure a fifth title but was stopped by Jhonny Gonzalez in the 11th round during a WBC Featherweight Championship bout in 2014. Arce retired with a record of 64-8-2, including 49 knockouts and one no-contest.

14. Adrien Broner

Adrien ‘The Problem’ Broner, hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, is among the most recent boxers to secure world titles across four weight divisions, achieving this milestone in 2015. At 25, he became the second-youngest boxer to accomplish this feat, trailing only Oscar De La Hoya, who did it at 24. Broner has claimed the WBO Super Featherweight, WBC Lightweight, WBA Super Lightweight, and Welterweight Titles. His titles span a 17-pound weight range, all earned within a four-year period. Since turning pro in 2008, Broner holds a record of 33-2, with 24 knockouts and one no-contest. The 27-year-old is set to face undefeated WBC Lightweight Champion Mikey Garcia (36-0, 30 KOs) in a junior welterweight clash in Brooklyn, New York, on July 29th.

13. Roman Gonzalez

Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez remains one of the top pound-for-pound boxers globally, despite losing his super flyweight title to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai via a contentious majority decision in March. The 30-year-old Nicaraguan has won world titles as a WBA Minimumweight, WBC Light Flyweight, Flyweight, and Super Flyweight, much like Leo Gamez. Gonzalez turned professional in 2005 and was undefeated at 46-0 with 38 knockouts before his upset loss to Rungvisai. He will have a chance to reclaim the WBC Super Flyweight Title in a rematch against Rungvisai in California on September 9th. Gonzalez is the first Nicaraguan boxer to win titles in four weight classes, surpassing his idol, the late Alexis Arguello, who won three. He is also the most recent boxer to achieve this feat, doing so last September.

12. Nonito Donaire

Nonito Donaire, famously known as the Filipino Flash, has often been overshadowed by his compatriot Manny Pacquiao. The 34-year-old, who has spent much of his career in the USA, has captured the IBF Flyweight, WBC Bantamweight, WBO and Lineal Super Bantamweight, and WBA Featherweight Titles between 2007 and 2014. His titles span a 14-pound weight range, and he notably defeated fellow four-division champion Jorge Arce via a third-round knockout in 2012. However, Donaire lost his WBO Super Bantamweight Title by unanimous decision to Jessie Magdaleno in November 2016. With a record of 37-4 and 24 knockouts, Donaire has secured seven world titles from the four major sanctioning bodies, along with the IBO Flyweight Title and WBA Interim Super Flyweight Crown.

11. Miguel Cotto

Miguel Cotto, the sole Puerto Rican boxer to win world titles in four weight classes, turned professional in 2001 after competing in the 2000 Olympics. The 36-year-old has claimed the WBO Super Lightweight, WBA Welterweight, WBA Super Welterweight, and WBC and Lineal Middleweight Titles, achieving this feat between 2004 and 2014 with a 20-pound weight difference. Cotto’s record stands at 40-5 with 33 knockouts, and he is set to face Yoshiro Kamegai for the vacant WBO Jr. Middleweight Title on August 26th in California. Cotto has defended his titles 12 times and faced elite opponents, with his five losses coming against world champions Antonio Margarito, Canelo Alvarez, Austin Trout, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Manny Pacquiao.

10. Juan Manuel Marquez

Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico, now 43, is still considering another fight, but if he retires, he will do so with an impressive record of 56-7-1 and 40 knockouts since turning pro in 1993. Marquez has held the WBA and IBF Featherweight, WBC Super Featherweight, Lineal, WBA, and WBO Lightweight, and WBO Super Lightweight Titles, spanning a 14-pound weight range from 2003 to 2012. He is the third Mexican, after Erik Morales and Jorge Arce, to win titles in four weight classes, securing seven world belts in total. Marquez is renowned for his four epic bouts against Manny Pacquiao, as well as fights with Floyd Mayweather Jr., Marco Antonio Barrera, Joel Casamayor, Timothy Bradley, and Orlando Salido.

9. Erik Morales

Erik Morales made history as the first Mexican boxer to win world championships in four weight divisions, achieving this milestone between 1997 and 2011. He secured the WBC Super Bantamweight, Featherweight, Super Featherweight, and Super Lightweight Titles, with a 16-pound weight difference between his championships. Morales also claimed the IBF Super Featherweight Crown during his illustrious career. From 1993 to 2012, he defeated 15 world champions and retired with a record of 52-9, including 36 knockouts. Eight of his nine losses occurred in his final 13 fights. Morales is celebrated for his legendary trilogies with Manny Pacquiao and Marco Antonio Barrera, as well as bouts against Danny Garcia, Jesus Chavez, and Marcos Maidana. He is widely regarded as one of Mexico’s greatest and most thrilling boxers.

8. Pernell Whitaker

Pernell ‘Sweet Pea’ Whitaker, an Olympic gold medalist in 1984, enjoyed a stellar professional career from 1984 to 2001, finishing with a record of 40-4-1, one no-contest, and 17 knockouts. As an amateur, he boasted an impressive 201-13 record with 91 knockouts. Whitaker won world titles at WBA, IBF, WBC, and Lineal Lightweight, IBF Super Lightweight, WBC and Lineal Welterweight, and WBA Super Welterweight, spanning a 19-pound weight range between 1989 and 1995. Known for his exceptional defensive skills and smooth technique, Whitaker faced boxing legends such as Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad, Buddy McGirt, Julio Cesar Chavez, Greg Haugen, and Azumah Nelson.

7. Oscar De La Hoya

Oscar De La Hoya, hailing from Los Angeles, holds the distinction of being the youngest boxer to win world titles in four different weight classes. He achieved his fourth title at the age of 24 by defeating Pernell Whitaker for the WBC and Lineal Welterweight Titles in 1997. De La Hoya’s journey began with the WBO Super Featherweight Crown in 1994, followed by the WBO Lightweight Title in 1995, and the WBC and Lineal Super Lightweight Titles in 1996. By 2004, he had added the WBC and Lineal Super Welterweight Titles, as well as the WBO and Lineal Middleweight Crowns, bringing his total to 10 championships across six weight divisions. Known as The Golden Boy, De La Hoya turned professional in 1992 after winning an Olympic gold medal as a lightweight. He retired in 2009 with a record of 39-6, including 30 knockouts, with four of his losses occurring in his final seven fights.

6. Roberto Duran

Roberto Duran, famously known as ‘Manos de Piedra’ (Hands of Stone), faced defeats against four-division champions Tommy Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard but also triumphed over Leonard on his path to securing four world titles. Duran claimed the WBA, WBC, and Lineal Lightweight, WBC and Lineal Welterweight, WBA Super Welterweight, and WBC Middleweight Titles. Although he missed opportunities to win titles in two additional weight classes, he did secure a minor NBA Title at super middleweight. Duran’s professional career spanned from 1968 to 2001, making him the second boxer, after Jack Johnson, to compete in five different decades. He retired with a remarkable record of 103-16, including 70 knockouts, after facing some of the sport’s greatest fighters.

5. Roy Jones Jr.

Roy Jones Jr., a boxer of extraordinary determination, overcame the disappointment of being denied an Olympic gold medal to become a legendary professional fighter. Turning pro after winning a silver medal in the super welterweight division at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Jones, now 48, continues to compete. The Pensacola, Florida native, who also holds Russian citizenship, boasts a record of 65-9 with 47 knockouts. Jones is a six-time world champion across four weight divisions, having won the IBF Middleweight, IBF Super Middleweight, WBA, IBF, and WBC Light Heavyweight, and WBA Heavyweight Titles between 1993 and 2003. He is the only boxer to start his career at junior middleweight and later claim a heavyweight championship, achieving this feat 106 years after the last middleweight champion to do so. Jones also held a minor WBU cruiserweight title.

4. Sugar Ray Leonard

Sugar Ray Leonard, the 1976 Olympic gold medalist in the super lightweight division, went on to secure world championships in five different weight classes during his professional career. Hailing from Wilmington, North Carolina, Leonard fought from 1977 to 1997, finishing with a record of 36-3-1, including 25 knockouts. Two of his losses and his sole draw occurred in his final four fights. Leonard faced two other members of this elite list, splitting victories with Roberto Duran and having a win and a draw against Tommy Hearns. He also defeated legends like Marvin Hagler and Wilfredo Benitez. Leonard claimed the WBA and WBC Welterweight, WBA Super Middleweight, and WBC Middleweight, Super Middleweight, and Light Heavyweight Titles between 1979 and 1988, spanning a 28-pound weight range. He also held the Lineal Welterweight, Super Welterweight, and Middleweight Championships at various points in his career.

3. Tommy Hearns

Thomas Hearns, known as both the ‘Hitman’ and ‘Motor City Cobra,’ was born in Memphis, Tennessee, but trained at the renowned Kronk Gym in Detroit. Hearns fought professionally from 1977 to 2006, amassing a record of 61-5-1 with 48 knockouts. He won world titles in five weight classes between 1980 and 1988, capturing the WBA Welterweight, WBA Super Welterweight, WBC Middleweight, WBO Super Middleweight, and WBC Light Heavyweight belts, with a 28-pound weight difference between divisions. Hearns was the first boxer to win titles in four and then five different weight classes, also securing minor WBU and IBO Titles at cruiserweight. While Sugar Ray Leonard won titles in the same divisions, Hearns uniquely jumped from junior middleweight to light heavyweight before returning to win middleweight and super middleweight crowns. Hearns faced fellow four-division champions, losing and drawing with Leonard while delivering a devastating knockout to Roberto Duran.

2. Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather Jr., an undefeated 40-year-old from Grand Rapids, Michigan, has secured five major world titles in boxing. After winning a bronze medal as a featherweight at the Olympics, Mayweather turned professional in 1996. With a flawless record of 49-0 and 26 knockouts, he has consistently faced the best fighters of his era. Mayweather is set to pursue his 50th victory in a boxing match against UFC’s Conor McGregor on August 26th. His championship victories include the Lineal and WBC Super Featherweight, Lineal and WBC Lightweight, WBC Super Lightweight, IBF, WBC, and Lineal Welterweight, and WBC and Lineal Super Welterweight Titles, achieved between 1998 and 2007 with a 24-pound weight range. Mayweather has triumphed over both Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya from this list.

1. Manny Pacquiao

Manny ‘Pac Man’ Pacquiao, a 38-year-old from the Philippines, stands alone as the only boxer in history to win world titles in eight different weight divisions, ranging from 112 to 154 pounds—a 42-pound span. Although he skipped the super flyweight and bantamweight classes, Pacquiao could have claimed titles in 10 divisions. His championships include the WBC and Lineal Flyweight, IBF Super Bantamweight, Lineal Featherweight, WBC and Lineal Super Featherweight, WBC Lightweight, Lineal Super Lightweight, WBO and Lineal Welterweight, and WBC Super Welterweight Titles. Pacquiao achieved this remarkable feat between 1998 and 2010, compiling a professional record of 59-7-2 with 38 knockouts since his debut in 1995. He has faced Erik Morales, Oscar De La Hoya, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Floyd Mayweather from this list, with mixed results. Pacquiao has won 11 major world titles and is the only boxer to claim the Lineal Championship in five divisions. He is also the third fighter to win major world titles in three of boxing’s original eight weight classes: flyweight, featherweight, and welterweight.