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TIMELINE OF THE WORLD'S SANCTIONING BODIES By Greg Goodrich, Boxing Press PhilBoxing.com Fri, 17 Aug 2007 The Police Gazette World Heavyweight Championship - (1885-1922) - the National Police gazette first began its coverage and sanctioning of Heavyweight title fights by recognizing a Heavyweight champion at the Paddy Ryan vs. Joe Goss bout on May 30, 1880. The Gazette began to lose notoriety in the early 1920’s (as the World title) with the ascension of the American sanctioning bodies NBA and NYSAC. It should be pointed out that the US National Police Gazette was also called the Police Gazette (similar to the UK publication). The US Gazette was founded by Richard Fox, and was more of a sensational tabloid, whereas the UK Gazette was actually used by the police to apprehend criminals. The Gazette was founded in 1845, though it did not sanction title bouts for 40 years (instead relying on newspaper decisions to determine the winner of said bouts). The UK Police Gazette is now an international database agency. The classic phrase World champion now mythically applies to the lineal champion of any given weight class, i.e. the title belt awarded to the man who beat the champion: or a champion recognized by the Ring Magazine. This title is different than the Undisputed champion who is specifically recognized as any champion who holds or who has won three of the four major sanctioning title belts, i.e. WBA, WBC, IBF or WBO. The Pugilistic Club - (1814-1861) - founded to ‘keep alive the principles of courage… which have distinguished the British character, and to check the progress of that effeminacy which wealth is too apt to produce”. The Pelican Club- (1814-1891) – the name given for both the London based organization and the New Orleans based boxing club. Louisiana also has the Pelican Amateur Boxing Association. Amateur Club of Great Britain - (1867-1885) - John Chambers founded the Queensbury Amateur Championships which were supervised by John Sholto Douglas (the Marquis of Queensbury) at Wigston, Leicestershire, England. Wrestling was forbidden; boxers wore gloves; and interspersed rest was made after three minutes of action. Amateur (Athletic) Boxing Association - (1880-present) – 12 affiliate clubs formed in England to recognize four weight classes: Heavyweight (unlimited), Middleweight (11 stone), Lightweight (10 stone), Featherweight (9 stone). Amateur Athletic Union (AAU): (1888-unknown) - the AAU recognized local, national and state champions. The National Sporting Club - (March 1891-1933) - another prominent boxing club founded by ex-boxer A.F. ‘Peggy’ Bettinson and John Fleming. It was located in London, England at the Covent Garden. It super ceded jurisdiction over the Pelican Club, which served as governing body, promoter and venue. In February 1909, the NSC began sanctioning title fights; issued standardized divisions; established 8 weight classes; and issued British title belts donated from Lord Lonsdale to English champions. Commonwealth (British Empire) Heavyweight Championship - (1892- present) - under the direct sanctioning of the NSC British (England Open) Heavyweight Championship- (1895-present). International Boxing Union- (March 1912-1946) - established by Victor Bryer, as a prototype European, world governing body. Rebuffed by the NSC, the IBU began on February 4, 1920 in Paris, France. Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Holland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States of America joined to establish internationally sanctioned world championship title bouts. England resigned in 1922. The UK began its transition from the NC via the IBU to its current BBC. American Boxing Association - (1914-August 22, 1915) - the first United States professional boxing organization was established in Cleveland, Ohio in 1915, comprised of journalists, managers, promoters and referees. British Boxing Board of Control - (1918, 1929, 1936-present) - this British group is a remake of the Pugilistic Club, the Pelican Club and the National Sports Club consolidated. Though bearing its name, it is autonomous of the British government. Earl of Lonsdale presided at the official ratification meeting in 1918. The present BBC was formally organized on January 1, 1929, and adopted its first constitution and set of regulations in March 1929. By 1933, the BBC regulated boxing in all of Great Britain (the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland). The NSC Lonsdale title belt was contested until 1935, with the BBC issuing its own version beginning in 1936. The BBC has been in administration (or the English equivalency of bankruptcy) since December 1999, when a court of appeals ruled in favor of former champion and injured boxer Michael Watson. The BBC has become a marginal group. National Boxing Association - (January 1921-1962; 1991-present) - William Gavin founded the NBA as a national body of unified, state boxing commissions (much like the present day ABC) in January 1921. Originally the NBA sanctioned bouts in 1920, and published rankings (lists of challengers), and withdrew title recognition. The NBA did not appoint officials, judges or referees, nor legislate within the industry. The NBA was renamed as World Boxing Association in 1962, primarily because of the popularity of the National Basketball Association, in addition to their aspirations to branch out into a worldwide scope. The WBA sanctions and awards title bouts to this day. Primarily from 1920-1960, the NBA Wrestling title was awarded, and championship bouts were sanctioned only. In the time, the NBA became the NWA; was renamed the WBA: and revived again in 1991, though totally autonomous from the original organizations. Its first President was Walter Linginger (in 1921). Its current president is Gilberto Mendoza. New York State Athletic Championship - (1922-1969) - the NYSAC in time stopped issuing title belts, and rather chose to be more of a regulatory, sanctioning commission (as organized to do so in 1911). The NYSAC and the NBA then awarded wrestling title belts instead. NYAC titlists were generally recognized as World champions. Pennsylvania Boxing Commission - (1923-present) – first state to implement the Walker Law and to permit 10 round bouts with panelized; judges decisions. Colorado Boxing Commission - (1927-1977; 1999-present) American Federation of Boxing - (1941-1942) – sanctioned Junior Featherweight eight round bouts in New York. European Boxing Union - (1946-present) - founded as the IBU, but folded during WWII. This organization governs all boxing bouts in Europe. Notably, the EBU does not affiliate itself with title bouts, save Bantamweight champions Jose Becerra, Alphonse Halimi and Johnny Caldwell (ending in 1960). Orient & Pacific Boxing Federation - (1954-present) - first called Orient Boxing Federation in 1954; renamed to present acronym in 1977 when Australia joined in affiliation. World Boxing Association - (1962-present) - formerly the National Boxing Association; changed its name due to increasing non-U.S. membership of foreign bodies and the National Basketball Association (NBA). The first WBA president was Charles Larson (in 1962). The WBA was originally located in Rhode Island (in 1920); then Panama City, Panama (in 1990): and now Caracas, Venezuela. The current president is Gilberto Mendoza, Sr. The WBA founded the Latin American Boxing Federation (FEDELATIN); the Pan Asian Boxing Association (PABA); the Bolivarian Boxing Federation (FEDELBOL); the Central American Boxing Federation (FEDELCENTRO); the World Boxing Association International (WBAI): and the Pan Africa Boxing Association (PFBA). World Boxing Council - (1963-present) - the WBC split from the WBA in 1963 because of the old NBA voting system, i.e. granting each country one vote regardless of size, constituency or involvement. The WBC was created and is located in Mexico City, Mexico. The first (and current) president is Jose Sulaiman in 1963. The WBC is in Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, restructured debt settlement with former WBC Light Heavyweight and WBO Cruiserweight champion Graciano Rocchgiani (terms undisclosed). The WBC founded the African Boxing Union (ABU); the Asian Boxing Council (ABCO); the Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE); the Central American Boxing Federation (FECARBOX); the CIS and Slovenian Boxing Bureau (CISBB); the North American Boxing Federation (NABF); the Oriental and Pacifica Boxing Federation (OPBF); and the South American Boxing Federation (FESUBOX). American Association for the Improvement of Boxing - (1965-present) - established jointly by Steve Acunto and Rocky Marciano. The AAIB seeks to improve the image of professional boxing, while assisting young fighters with their careers and image. This group is more of a mentoring program than a sanctioning organization. North American Boxing Federation - (1969-present) - the WBC founded this group (comprised Mexico, Arizona, California, Illinois, Missouri and Nevada), as a continental federation for purposes of regionalizing votes and collecting sanctioning fees. The first NABF (and Heavyweight) champion was Sonny Liston (in 1969). United States Boxing Association - (1979-present) - the WBA founded this group as a U.S. based regional entity for purposes of competing with the WBC. It was created after the U.S. Championship Tournament; and primarily collects sanctioning fees for its main and present affiliate the IBF. The first (and Middleweight) USBA champion was Tony Licata (in 1974). The first USBA Heavyweight champion was Mike Weaver (in 1979). World Athletic Association - (1981-1982) - founded by Pat and Sean O’Grady after the WBA stripped O’Grady. International Boxing Federation - (1983-present) – this New Jersey group was first called the International Boxing Federation-United States Boxing Association after it split from the WBC in 1983. The IBF was created by its first President Robert Lee after he failed to topple Gilberto Mendoza at the 1982 WBA convention. It was renamed in 1984, and later placed under Federal Monitor for Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act violation(s). Association of Boxing Commissions orld Boxing Organization - (1988-present) - split from the WBA due to discontentment among its Puerto Rican constituents. Founded in Puerto Rico, its first and only President is Francisco Vancarcel who was elected in 1989. North American Boxing Organization International Boxing Council International Boxing Organization World Boxing Federation World Boxing Union International Boxing Association - (1996-present) - founded by former baseball great Dean Chance. International Boxing Union - (1996-present). Author's Note: All statistics and records have been verified by due diligence searches via microfiche newspapers; verification from the Ring Record Book; information gathered and obtained from the public domain: and data obtained from the websites bkbworld.com, boxrec.com and cyberboxzingzone.com. If any name is missing and/or a record incorrect, please contact the author so that a correction or retraction can be made. This article was originally published on December, 2004. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Greg Goodrich, Boxing Press.  |
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