This is a list of world lightweight boxing champions by organization, as recognized by four of the better-known sanctioning organizations:
For a chronological list, see Chronological lightweight boxing champions.
| Reign began | Reign ended | Champion | Recognition |
| 29 October 1886 | 9 June 1893[1] | Jack McAuliffe | Universal |
- After McAuliffe's retirement the title remained inactive until 1896 when the title was won by George "Kid" Lavigne in a 17 Round KO against Dick Burge. Lavigne's victory, the first fought under the Marquess of Queensberry rules, was considered by boxing promoters of the time as the first officially recognized world Lightweight Champion.
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| 1 June 1896 | 3 July 1899 | George "Kid" Lavigne | Universal |
| 3 July 1899 | 12 May 1902 | Frank Erne | Universal |
| 12 May 1902 | 9 June 1908[1] | Joe Gans | Universal |
| 9 June 1908 | 22 May 1910 | Oscar "Battling" Nelson | Universal |
| 22 February 1910 | 28 November 1912 | Adolph "Ad" Wolgast | Universal |
| 28 November 1912 | 7 July 1914 | Willie Ritchie | Universal |
| 7 July 1914 | 28 May 1917 | Freddie Welsh | Universal |
| 28 May 1917 | 15 January 1925[1] | Benny Leonard | Universal |
| 13 July 1925 | 7 December 1925 | Jimmy Goodrich | Universal |
| 7 December 1925 | 3 July 1926 | Rocky Kansas | Universal |
| 3 July 1926 | 17 July 1930 | Sammy Mandel | NBA |
| 17 July 1930 | 14 November 1930 | Al Singer | Universal |
| 14 November 1930 | 23 June 1933 | Tony Canzoneri | Universal |
| 23 June 1933 | ?? Apr 1935 | Barney Ross | Universal |
| 10 May 1935 | 3 September 1936 | Tony Canzoneri | Universal |
| 3 September 1936 | 17 July? 1938 | Lou Ambers | Universal |
| 17 August? 1938 | 22 August 1939 | Henry Armstrong | Universal |
| 22 August 1939 | 10 May 1940 | Lou Ambers | NBA |
| 10 May 1940 | 19 December 1941 | Lew Jenkins | Universal |
| 19 December 1941 | 13 November 1942[1] | Sammy Angott | Universal |
- Following Angott's retirement the title was disputed between Beau Jack, Bob Montgomery, and Juan Zurita as well as Agnott, who later came out of retirement. Ike Williams defeats over Zurita and Montgomery, in 1945 and 1947 respectively, would become recognized as the universal Lightweight Champion.
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| 23 September 1943 | 21 May 1943 | Beau Jack | New York |
| 21 May 1943 | 19 November 1943 | Bob Montgomery | New York |
| 19 November 1943 | 3 March 1944 | Beau Jack | NBA |
- With Jack and Montgomery enlisting in the United States Army to fight in World War II , Juan Zurita defeated Sammy Angott, after 15 rounds, for the NBA lightweight championship.
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| 8 March 1944 | 18 April 1945 | Juan Zurita | NBA |
| 18 April 1945 | 25 May 1951 | Ike Williams | Universal |
| 25 May 1951 | 1 April 1952 | Jimmy Carter | Universal |
| 1 April 1952 | 15 October 1952 | Lauro Salas | Universal |
| 15 October 1952 | 6 February 1954 | Jimmy Carter | Universal |
| 5 March 1954 | 17 November 1954 | Paddy DeMarco | Universal |
| 17 November 1954 | 29 June 1955 | Jimmy Carter | Universal |
| 29 June 1955 | 24 August 1956 | Wallace "Bud" Smith | Universal |
| 24 August 1956 | 21 April 1962 | Joe Brown | Universal |
| 1963-04-07 | 1965-04-10 | Carlos Ortiz | WBA/WBC |
| 1965-04-10 | 1965-11-13 | Ismael Laguna | WBA/WBC |
| 1965-11-13 | 1968-06-29 | Carlos Ortiz | WBA/WBC |
| 1968-06-29 | 1969-02-18 | Carlos 'Teo' Cruz | WBA/WBC |
| 1969-02-18 | 1970-03-03 | Mando Ramos[2] | WBA/WBC |
| 1970-03-03 | 1970-09-15[1] | Ismael Laguna | WBA/WBC |
| 1971-02-12 | 1971-06-25 | Ken Buchanan | WBA/WBC |
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Relinquished championship title.
- ^ Disputed; see Pedro Carrasco
- ^ Championship title withdrawn by sanctioning organization due to champion's failure or refusal to defend title against organization's top-ranked contender.
- ^ a b c d Stripped of championship title.
| World boxing champions | | | Champions by weight class | | | | Champions by organization | | | | Champions by different weight class | | | | Terms | | |
