Sanctioning organization for professional boxing bouts
World Boxing Union Abbreviation WBU Formation 1995; 29 years ago (1995 ) Type Non-profit institution Legal status Defunct Purpose Boxing sanctioning Headquarters Atlanta, Georgia , United StatesRegion served
Worldwide President
Jon Robinson Main organ
General Assembly
The World Boxing Union (WBU ) was a boxing sanctioning body. The original WBU was founded in January 1995 by IBF European representative, boxing journalist, actor and former holder of the title of Britain's heaviest man, Jon W. Robinson.[ 1] It sanctioned boxing with various promoters worldwide. Following Robinson's death in 2004, the organization became dormant and was eventually dissolved.
List of WBU heavyweight champions
Name
Duration of reign
Defenses
Notes
George Foreman (USA ) [ 2]
March 29, 1995 – 1997
2
Foreman was recognized as champion after he was stripped of the IBF title
Corrie Sanders (RSA ) [ 3]
November 15, 1997 – May 20, 2000
3
Defeated Ross Purity
Hasim Rahman (USA ) [ 4]
May 20, 2000 – April 21, 2001
0
Relinquished the title in order to fight Lennox Lewis for the IBF, IBO and WBC titles
Johnny Nelson (GBR ) [ 5]
November 24, 2001 – December 4, 2001
0
Defeated Alexander Vasiliev. Relinquished the title in order to concentrate on defending his WBO Cruiserweight title
Georgi Kandelaki (GEO ) [ 6]
December 21, 2002 – January 2004
0
Defeated Alexander Vasiliev. Kandelaki either relinquished or was stripped of the title
Matt Skelton (GBR ) [ 7]
February 25, 2005 – January 26, 2009
0
Skelton relinquished the title
Other WBU champions (selected)
World Boxing Union featherweight belt won by Derry Mathews
Other past WBU champions include Sirimongkol Singwancha , Sornpichai Kratingdaenggym , Pongsaklek Wonjongkam , Ricky Hatton , Eamonn Magee , Tony Oakey , Corrie Sanders , Enzo Maccarinelli , Lee McAllister , Angel Manfredy , George Scott , Hasim Rahman ,Don Dieg Poeder , Willie Limond , Craig Docherty , Michael Gomez , Kevin Lear , Anthony Farnell , Jimmy Lange , Derry Mathews , Choi Tseveenpurev , Jeremy Williams , Cristian Charquero , Wayne Elcock , Roy Jones Jr. , David Burke , Vinny Pazienza , Agostino Cardamone and Micky Ward .
In addition, Carlos Contreras defeated challenger Victor Rabanales by 8 RTKO.
References