Light heavyweight

In boxing, the division between heavyweight 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, Antonio Tarver, Roy Jones Jr., Michael Spinks and Bob Foster-to name a few.

Related Topics:
Heavyweight - Middleweight - Archie Moore - Joey Maxim - Billy Conn - Antonio Tarver - Roy Jones Jr. - Michael Spinks - Bob Foster

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In fact, most of the light heavyweight champions unsucessfully challenged for the heavyweight crown, until Michael Spinks became the first reigning champion to win the heavier crown. Interestingly, Bob Fitzsimmons captured the light heavyweight championship after losing the 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, and Patterson unsuccessfully challenging for Maxim's Light heavyweight title (though some thought Patterson should have won the fight).

Related Topics:
Bob Fitzsimmons - Ezzard Charles - Floyd Patterson

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The current Light heavyweight Champion is Antonio Tarver. Tarver had been a contender during the reign of Roy Jones Jr. and when Jones moved up to the Heavyweight division, Tarver became Champion. Tarver taunted Jones into coming back to Light heavyweight, and lost the title by a razor thin decision to Jones. In the rematch however, Tarver knocked Jones out in the second round, one of the most stunning upsets in the divisions history. Tarver temporarily lost the title to Glen Johnson, but regained it in the rematch.

Related Topics:
Antonio Tarver - Glen Johnson

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