List of Boxing Triple Champions

List Of Boxing Triple Champions

In boxing, a triple champion is a boxer who has won world titles in three different weight classes. For most of the 20th century it was a remarkable achievement, possibly securing one a spot in the Boxing Hall of Fame with other immortals of the sport. Beginning in the 1970s, Triple Champions have become increasingly more common because of the numerous weight divisions (17) and the countless professional boxing entities that claim a "World" championship.

Example: Wilfredo Gómez won his first belt at 122 pounds. Later he won the 126-pound crown and finally won the 130-pound title as well.

The first Triple Champion of boxing was Bob Fitzsimmons when he added the Light Heavyweight crown to his World Middleweight and Heavyweight belts on November 25, 1903.

Barney Ross was the first boxer to simultaneously hold world titles in two different weight classes when he won 135-pound World Lightweight Title and 140-pound World Light Welterweight against Tony Canzoneri on June 23, 1933. Later Ross won the 147-pound World Welterweight Title from Jimmy McLarnin on May 28, 1934.

Henry Armstrong was the first man to hold three titles in three divisions simultaneously. He won the World Featherweight Title from Petey Sarron on October 29, 1937, the World Welterweight Title from Barney Ross on May 31, 1938, and won the World Lightweight Title in his next fight, on August 17 against Lou Ambers. Armstrong then immediately vacated the Featherweight Title because he could no longer make the weight.

Wilfred Benítez was the youngest ever champion at any weight. Benitez first won the 140-pound WBA Light Welterweight Title from Antonio Cervantes on March 6, 1976, at age 17. He moved up in weight to win the 147-pound WBC Welterweight Title from Carlos Palomino on January 14, 1979, and finally won a third title when he added the 154-pound WBC Light Middleweight Title from Maurice Hope on May 23, 1981.