The Pyramid of Multi-Division Boxing Champions

Boxing is all about weight classes and while a feather or fly weight will never be a heavyweight champion, there are a few boxers who have been successful in multiple divisions. The pyramid of multi-division boxing champions shows that while major world champion titles in four weight divisions have been achieved by a handful of boxers, tackling more weight divisions successfully becomes increasingly difficult.

According to a review of database BoxRec and boxing website Goliath.com, at least 12 boxers have won world titles in four weight divisions. Only three went as far as to win five, among them boxing superstars Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Sugar Ray Leonard. The air is getting thinner when it comes to successfully boxing in even more divisions: While U.S. boxer Oscar De La Hoya has achieved the feat of winning six divisions, no one comes close to Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, who has won titles in eight.

Pacquiao’s achievements span titles in classes between a maximum weight of 112 pounds/51 kg (flyweight) and 154 pounds/70 kg (super welterweight). Pacquiao, who is still an active titleholder but also serves as a senator, even skipped over two classes (super flyweight and bantamweight). As far as individual world titles go, Pacquiao won twelve. For comparison, De La Hoya achieved 11, while Mayweather Jr. won 15.