World Boxing Union
Encyclopedia
The World Boxing Union is a boxing
sanctioning body.
Until recently it was fully recognised by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBB of C) as a legitimate sanctioning body.
WBU titles were particularly well recognised in Europe and Africa.
WBU titles have been held by the likes of Ricky Hatton, George Foreman, Thomas Hearns, Baby Jake Matlala, James Tony, Johnny Nelson and "Irish" Micky Ward, whose life and route to the title was made into the recent Hollywood movie "The Fighter
".
The WBU was founded in January 2005 by IBF European representative Jon W Robinson. It was also supported by Bob Arum.
The WBU had a 'golden' period between 1996-2006 when its title contests were often shown live on satellite and terrestrial television. The WBU title during this time could be compared with the early days of the WBO. However, where as the WBO grew in credibility, the WBU faded into obscurity.
After the death of WBU founder and chairman Jon W Robinson, the organisation began to descend into cahos and many of the organisations weight catagories became vacant of champions. The directorship of the WBU allowed the title to be further devalued by allowing vacant titles being contested on small boxing shows with home fighters matched carefully to claim a title.
This decent reached its base in 2010 when the BBBofC stated that it no longer recognised the WBU as a legitimate sanctioning body. This has created a situation where WBU champions are often not held in the acclaim that greets the holders of other 'world' titles.
In 2011 the WBU was reformed under new directorship. The new directorship has acknowledged that the post Jon W Robinson WBU has lacked leadership and direction and has stated the aim of re-establishing the WBU as a legitimate sanctioning body.
Past WBU champions have include Enzo Maccarinelli
, James Toney
, Corrie Sanders
, Leva Kirakosyan, Johnny Nelson
, Lee McAllister
, Michael Gomez
, Choi Tseveenpurev
, Matt Skelton
, Shea Neary
, Micky Ward
, Ricky Hatton
, and Angel Manfredy
.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
sanctioning body.
Until recently it was fully recognised by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBB of C) as a legitimate sanctioning body.
WBU titles were particularly well recognised in Europe and Africa.
WBU titles have been held by the likes of Ricky Hatton, George Foreman, Thomas Hearns, Baby Jake Matlala, James Tony, Johnny Nelson and "Irish" Micky Ward, whose life and route to the title was made into the recent Hollywood movie "The Fighter
The Fighter
The Fighter is a 2010 biographical sports drama film directed by David O. Russell, and starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Melissa Leo and Amy Adams. The film centers on the life of professional boxer "Irish" Micky Ward and his older half-brother Dicky Eklund . The film also stars Amy Adams as...
".
The WBU was founded in January 2005 by IBF European representative Jon W Robinson. It was also supported by Bob Arum.
The WBU had a 'golden' period between 1996-2006 when its title contests were often shown live on satellite and terrestrial television. The WBU title during this time could be compared with the early days of the WBO. However, where as the WBO grew in credibility, the WBU faded into obscurity.
After the death of WBU founder and chairman Jon W Robinson, the organisation began to descend into cahos and many of the organisations weight catagories became vacant of champions. The directorship of the WBU allowed the title to be further devalued by allowing vacant titles being contested on small boxing shows with home fighters matched carefully to claim a title.
This decent reached its base in 2010 when the BBBofC stated that it no longer recognised the WBU as a legitimate sanctioning body. This has created a situation where WBU champions are often not held in the acclaim that greets the holders of other 'world' titles.
In 2011 the WBU was reformed under new directorship. The new directorship has acknowledged that the post Jon W Robinson WBU has lacked leadership and direction and has stated the aim of re-establishing the WBU as a legitimate sanctioning body.
List of WBU Heavyweight Champions
WBU heavyweight champions have included:| Name | Duration of reign | Defenses | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 George ForemanGeorge Foreman George Edward Foreman is an American two-time former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Olympic gold medalist, ordained Baptist minister, author and successful entrepreneur... |
March 29, 1995 – 1997 | 2 | |
 Corrie SandersCorrie Sanders Cornelius "Corrie" Johannes Sanders is a South African former professional boxer. In 2003 he became the WBO heavyweight champion by defeating Wladimir Klitschko via a second-round knock out that is considered one of the biggest upsets in heavyweight boxing history and won Ring Magazine upset of... |
November 15, 1997 – May 20, 2000 | 3 | |
| Hasim Rahman Hasim Rahman Hasim Sharif Rahman is an American professional boxer. Rahman is the former Lineal, WBC, IBO, & IBF heavyweight champion... |
May 20, 2000 – April 21, 2001 | 0 | |
 Johnny NelsonJohnny Nelson Ivanson Ranny "Johnny" Nelson is a former professional boxer from Sheffield, England. He was the WBO cruiserweight champion for over six years, having successfully defended the title 13 times. Nelson also held the European and British cruiserweight titles... |
November 24, 2001 – December 4, 2001 | 0 | |
 Georgi KandelakiGeorgi Kandelaki Georgi Kandelaki is a former boxer and current boxing administrator... |
December 21, 2002 – January 2004 | 0 | |
| Matt Skelton Matt Skelton Matt Skelton is an English boxer who changed sports from kickboxing. He is a former English, British, Commonwealth and European Heavyweight champion. He has also held the lightly regarded WBU "World" Heavyweight title.... |
February 25, 2005 – January 26, 2009 | 0 | |
 Gene PukallGene Pukall Gene Pukall, is a German professional boxer fighting in the heavyweight division.-Debut:Pukall turned professional in April 2000 in the Neuruppin, Brandenburg, Germany... |
March 3, 2011 – present | 0 |
Past WBU champions have include Enzo Maccarinelli
Enzo Maccarinelli
Enzo Maccarinelli is a Welsh professional boxer who fights in the light heavyweight division. He is a former World Boxing Organization cruiserweight title holder and also held the European title at that weight limit...
, James Toney
James Toney
James Nathanial Toney is an American professional boxer who has held world titles in the middleweight, super middleweight, and cruiserweight divisions. Toney currently fights in the heavyweight division in boxing and also now competes in mixed martial arts.-Boxing career:Toney's amateur boxing...
, Corrie Sanders
Corrie Sanders
Cornelius "Corrie" Johannes Sanders is a South African former professional boxer. In 2003 he became the WBO heavyweight champion by defeating Wladimir Klitschko via a second-round knock out that is considered one of the biggest upsets in heavyweight boxing history and won Ring Magazine upset of...
, Leva Kirakosyan, Johnny Nelson
Johnny Nelson
Ivanson Ranny "Johnny" Nelson is a former professional boxer from Sheffield, England. He was the WBO cruiserweight champion for over six years, having successfully defended the title 13 times. Nelson also held the European and British cruiserweight titles...
, Lee McAllister
Lee McAllister
"The Aberdeen Assassin" Lee McAllister is a professional boxer who currently holds the Commonwealth light-welterweight championship and the IBO International light-welterweight title...
, Michael Gomez
Michael Gomez
Michael Gomez , also known as "The Irish Mexican" or "The Predator", is a former professional boxer...
, Choi Tseveenpurev
Choi Tseveenpurev
Choijiljavyn "Choi" Tseveenpürev is a Mongolian featherweight boxer based in the United Kingdom. Tseveenpurev won the Prizefighter series Featherweights tournament on 29 October 2011, the same month that he passed 40...
, Matt Skelton
Matt Skelton
Matt Skelton is an English boxer who changed sports from kickboxing. He is a former English, British, Commonwealth and European Heavyweight champion. He has also held the lightly regarded WBU "World" Heavyweight title....
, Shea Neary
Shea Neary
Shea "The Shamrock Express" Neary is a former light welterweight boxer.-Pro Career:Neary posted a 23-2 record during his professional career, including 16 knockouts. In 1995, he won his first title by beating Nigel Bradley at the Everton Park Sports Centre to claim the Central Area Light...
, Micky Ward
Micky Ward
Micky Ward , nicknamed Irish, is a retired American junior welterweight professional boxer and a former WBU champion from Lowell, Massachusetts...
, Ricky Hatton
Ricky Hatton
Richard John Hatton MBE, more commonly known as Ricky "the Hitman" Hatton, , is a former British professional boxer, and currently a promoter....
, and Angel Manfredy
Angel Manfredy
Angel Manfredy is a Puerto Rican-American former boxer who has fought in the Junior Welterweight, Lightweight and Junior Lightweight divisions...
.
Other world organizations
- International Boxing Association
- International Boxing CouncilInternational Boxing CouncilThe International Boxing Council is a boxing organization. The IBC titles are often the beginning for professional boxers who progress to high prestigious titles....
- International Boxing FederationInternational Boxing FederationThe International Boxing Federation or IBF is one of four major organizations recognized by IBHOF which sanction world championship boxing bouts, alongside the WBA, WBC and WBO.- History :...
- International Boxing OrganizationInternational Boxing OrganizationThe International Boxing Organization is a for-profit organization that sanctions professional boxing matches and awards world and subordinate championships.- Origins :...
- International Boxing UnionInternational Boxing UnionThe International Boxing Union was created June 1911 in Paris, France. It was an attempt to create a unified international governing body for professional boxing...
- World Boxing AssociationWorld Boxing AssociationThe World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
- World Boxing CouncilWorld Boxing CouncilThe World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...
- World Professional Boxing FederationWorld Professional Boxing FederationThe World Professional Boxing Federation ' is an international sanctioning body that sanctions professional boxing matches and awards world and subordinate championship title...
- World Boxing OrganizationWorld Boxing OrganizationThe World Boxing Organization is a sanctioning organization currently recognizing professional boxing world champions. The organization is recognized as one of the four major world championship groups by the IBHOF alongside the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Council and the...
- European Boxing FederationEuropean Boxing FederationThe European Boxing Federation is a boxing governing body and sanctioning organisation created in 2005. Although the organisation is called European it lists its title holders as world champions....
- World Boxing FederationWorld Boxing FederationThe World Boxing Federation is a sanctioning organization currently recognizing professional boxing world champions. Its offices are located in Luxembourg.-History:...