Agit KabayelCurrent champion (elevated Jun 27, 2026)
Sonny ListonFirst WBC champion, 1963
26Different champions
32Reigns
The World Boxing Council was founded in 1963 and recognized Sonny Liston as its first heavyweight champion. This lineage lists every WBC heavyweight reign, including champions elevated from interim status.
Multiple reigns
| Champion | Reigns |
|---|---|
| Lennox Lewis | 3 |
| Muhammad Ali | 2 |
| Mike Tyson | 2 |
| Hasim Rahman | 2 |
| Vitali Klitschko | 2 |
Every reign
| # | Champion | Date | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | Agit Kabayel | Jun 27, 2026 | Elevated; current champion |
| 31 | Oleksandr Usyk | May 18, 2024 | Won; vacated Jun 26, 2026 |
| 30 | Tyson Fury | Feb 22, 2020 | Won |
| 29 | Deontay Wilder | Jan 17, 2015 | Won |
| 28 | Bermane Stiverne | May 10, 2014 | Won (def. Chris Arreola) |
| 27 | Vitali Klitschko | Oct 11, 2008 | Won; vacated Dec 2013 |
| 26 | Samuel Peter | Mar 8, 2008 | Won |
| 25 | Oleg Maskaev | Aug 12, 2006 | Won |
| 24 | Hasim Rahman | Nov 9, 2005 | Elevated |
| 23 | Vitali Klitschko | Apr 24, 2004 | Won (def. Corrie Sanders); retired Nov 2005 |
| 22 | Lennox Lewis | Nov 17, 2001 | Won; retired as champion 2004 |
| 21 | Hasim Rahman | Apr 22, 2001 | Won |
| 20 | Lennox Lewis | Feb 7, 1997 | Won (def. Oliver McCall) |
| 19 | Mike Tyson | Mar 16, 1996 | Won; vacated Sep 1996 |
| 18 | Frank Bruno | Sep 2, 1995 | Won |
| 17 | Oliver McCall | Sep 24, 1994 | Won |
| 16 | Lennox Lewis | Dec 14, 1992 | Elevated |
| 15 | Riddick Bowe | Nov 13, 1992 | Won; vacated |
| 14 | Evander Holyfield | Oct 25, 1990 | Won |
| 13 | Buster Douglas | Feb 11, 1990 | Won |
| 12 | Mike Tyson | Nov 22, 1986 | Won |
| 11 | Trevor Berbick | Mar 22, 1986 | Won |
| 10 | Pinklon Thomas | Aug 31, 1984 | Won |
| 9 | Tim Witherspoon | Mar 9, 1984 | Won (def. Greg Page) |
| 8 | Larry Holmes | Jun 9, 1978 | Won; vacated Dec 1983 |
| 7 | Ken Norton | Mar 18, 1978 | Elevated |
| 6 | Leon Spinks | Feb 15, 1978 | Won; later stripped |
| 5 | Muhammad Ali | Oct 30, 1974 | Won |
| 4 | George Foreman | Jan 22, 1973 | Won |
| 3 | Joe Frazier | Feb 16, 1970 | Won (def. Jimmy Ellis) |
| 2 | Muhammad Ali | Feb 25, 1964 | Won; later stripped |
| 1 | Sonny Liston | Jul 22, 1963 | Won (def. Floyd Patterson) |
Sources: Wikipedia: List of WBC world champions. Facts verified Oct 18, 2026.