What does it all mean?!

There's been a steadily increasing buzz amongst your friends about an upcoming title fight, but it hasn't interested you and why would it? You don't follow boxing so you haven't paid them any attention which is fine; you aren't going to watch the fight anyway. The only thing is, that was before. And it didn't matter before. 

Now you're at a crowded bar with a big TV, it's 10pm on fight night and the air is so thick with excitement that it's as sticky as the floor. It looks like you're watching the fight.

You want to know what's going on and you want to be as invested as everyone around you, but the announcer's already reeling off acronyms and anagrams (with a little alliteration thrown in for good measure) and you can't figure out the significance. What does it all mean!?

Take a deep breath and read on...



WBA – WORLD BOXING ASSOCIATION | Formed in 1921 as NBA

The first major boxing organisation to be formed, the NBA operated nationally, sanctioning bouts from fighters across North America. After WW2, Boxing and its fighters really sprung up worldwide – prompting the 1962 name change; from the National Boxing Association (NBA), to the World Boxing Association (WBA).


The WBA recognises a WBA REGULAR CHAMPION and a WBA SUPER CHAMPION of each weight division.

A WBA REGULAR CHAMPION becomes so by beating the previous WBA REGULAR CHAMPION.

A WBA SUPER CHAMPION becomes so by holding two or more of the other sanctioning bodies belts, in the same weight division.

If the WBA SUPER CHAMPION also acquires the WBA REGULAR CHAMPION belt (by beating the holder), his WBA SUPER CHAMPION belt becomes the WBA UNIFIED CHAMPION belt, and the WBA REGULAR CHAMPION belt is vacated.

So, it can occur that there are two different WBA 'champions’ of the same division.



WBC – WORLD BOXING COUNCIL | Formed Feb 14 1963.

The WBC was initially founded by 11 countries in response to claims that the WBA didn't promote fights outside of America. These countries were: USA, Argentina, England, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil. Today, over 160 countries are affiliated with the organisation. 

The WBC set rules that revolutionised boxing, amongst which was the official shortening of professional bouts from 15 rounds to 12.


The WBC recognises a WORLD CHAMPION, a SILVER CHAMPION and a DIAMOND CHAMPION of the same weight division.

DIAMOND CHAMPION is a title bestowed as the WBC choose. It can be given to acknowledge the most elite and extraordinary boxer in a division, but doesn't have to be given to anyone. The DIAMOND CHAMPION can voluntarily defend his title, but a contender can’t win it unless special sanction is granted by the WBC.

A WORLD CHAMPION becomes so by beating the previous WORLD CHAMPION. It’s the same premise as the WBA REGULAR CHAMPION. Straightforward.

A SILVER CHAMPION, to loosely paraphrase the WBC, is a world title that's one step below the WORLD and DIAMOND Championships. The SILVER CHAMPION only becomes so by beating the previous SILVER CHAMPION. The SILVER CHAMPION is not an automatic contender for the WORLD CHAMPION.



IBF – INTERNATIONAL BOXING FEDERATION | Formed in 1983.

The IBF was born of the United States Boxing Association (USBA), which was created in 1976 as an alternative to the current sanctioning bodies that the founders deemed corrupt and illegitimate.

In 2001, the IBF’s past president Robert Lee was investigated, and fined a total of $75,000 and jailed for 22 months after being charged with accepting bribes throughout his time as president to advance the careers and ratings of certain boxers - George Foreman was one of them.

The IBF only recognise a WORLD CHAMPION. Nice.



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WBO – WORLD BOXING ORGANISATION | Formed in 1988.

Years after its inception, the WBO was still struggling to achieve credibility as they, unlike the other sanctioning bodies, didn't recognise Mike Tyson as their undisputed Heavyweight Champion. The organisations popularity has grown thanks to its later champions, such as Chris Eubank, Oscar De La Hoya, Nigel Benn, Wladimir Klitschko and currently, Anthony Joshua.


The WBO recognises a WORLD CHAMPION and a SUPER CHAMPION.

The WBO WORLD CHAMPION becomes so by beating the previous WBO WORLD CHAMPION.

The WBO SUPER CHAMPION is an honorary title, and can not be won, fought for, or lost. It’s more of a lifetime achievement.


Now you get back out there and you raise your head to the TV and you add your voice to the cacophony of illegible screams that surround you, you know who you're backing and now you know what he's fighting for. Onwards!


Hope I made that clear, let me know below!