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.
In 2010, the WBU brand was revitalized in the U.S. by Don "Moose" Lewis – President of the International Boxing Union and Women's International Boxing Council. Shortly thereafter, it decided to reestablish itself totally independent of any legal reference to the original organization so as to not expose today's WBU to any remaining potential liabilities from the previous company.[2]
| Name | Duration of reign | Defenses | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 George Foreman (USA)[3]
|
March 29, 1995 – 1997 | 2 | Foreman was recognized as champion after he was stripped of the IBF title |
 Corrie Sanders (RSA)[4]
|
November 15, 1997 – May 20, 2000 | 3 | Defeated Ross Purity |
| Hasim Rahman (USA)[5]
|
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)[6]
|
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)[7]
|
December 21, 2002 – January 2004 | 0 | Defeated Alexander Vasiliev. Kandelaki either relinquished or was stripped of the title |
| Matt Skelton (GBR)[8]
|
February 25, 2005 – January 26, 2009 | 0 | Skelton relinquished the title |
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, Thomas Hearns, 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.
