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For the mixed martial arts division of the same name, see Light Heavyweight (MMA)

In boxing, the light heavyweight division is the weight division between cruiserweight (maximum 200 lbs (90.7 kg)) and super middleweight (maximum 168 lb (76.4 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; Billy Conn, Joey Maxim, Archie Moore, Michael Spinks, Bob Foster, and Roy Jones Jr., to name a few.

Many light heavyweight champions unsuccessfully challenged for the heavyweight crown until Michael Spinks became the first reigning light heavyweight champion to win the heavyweight championship. Interestingly, Bob Fitzsimmons captured the light heavyweight championship after losing his heavyweight championship. Two all-time great heavyweight champions, Ezzard Charles and Floyd Patterson, started out as light heavyweights. Charles defeated Archie Moore and Joey Maxim several times in non-title bouts before becoming heavyweight champion, and Patterson lost to Joey Maxim (though some thought Patterson should have won the fight^{[citation needed]}) before becoming heavyweight champion himself.

The current light heavyweight Champion is Silvio Branco. Hopkins won the belt from Manny Siaca, in a completely one-sided fight^{[citation needed]} on July 27, 2006

• 1920 –  Eddie Eagan (USA)
• 1924 –  Harry Mitchell (boxer) (GBR)
• 1928 –  Víctor Avendaño (ARG)
• 1932 –  David Carstens (RSA)
• 1936 –  Roger Michelot (FRA)
• 1948 –  George Hunter (RSA)
• 1952 –  Norvel Lee (USA)
• 1956 –  James Boyd (USA)
• 1960 –  Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) (USA)
• 1964 –  Cosimo Pinto (ITA)
• 1968 –  Danas Pozniakas (URS)
• 1972 –  Mate Parlov (YUG)
• 1976 –  Leon Spinks (USA)
• 1980 –  Slobodan Kacar (YUG)
• 1984 –  Anton Josipovic (YUG)
• 1988 –  Andrew Maynard (USA)
• 1992 –  Torsten May (GER)
• 1996 –  Vassiliy Jirov (KAZ)
• 2000 –  Aleksandr Lebziak (RUS)
• 2004 –  Andre Ward (USA)

• List of light heavyweight boxing champions

• Boxing