Bantamweight World/Lineal Championship Fights
With Pete Herman seen as the best man at 118lbs, having eliminated all others at that weight, following Memphis Pal Moore’s defeat by Jimmy Wilde on 17 July 1919 at 116lbs all title fights in the weight class would be contested at 118lbs.
15 August 1919. Pete Herman nd-l pts 10 Little Jackie Sharkey
Venue: The Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Walter Houlehan.
Fight Summary: Reported as a title fight at 118lbs, with both men inside the weight according to the Milwaukee Sentinel, the contest itself saw Herman fail to open up until the fifth round after being warned by the referee to provide more action. However, Herman was soon back in his shell, treating it as a sparring session. While Sharkey continually forced the action he lacked the power to harm the champion, being guilty of hitting with the open glove. Even taking that into account, Sharkey influenced most of attending press that he would have been a worthy winner had a decision been given.
19 August 1920. Pete Herman nd-w pts 10 Roy Moore
Venue: Stratton Park, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. Recognition: World.
Fight Summary: The Colorado Springs Gazette reported that Herman (116) retained his title after both men had come to the ring inside 118lbs. With much of the fight being contested at close quarters, Moore (116) hammering away to little effect, it was the champion’s cleverness that prevented any damage being done. Not only that, but Herman also landed some vicious blows, putting blood on Moore’s face in the third, and was deemed by the press to have won seven rounds, with two even. The fight had been moved from Denver when a permit for a 15-rounder had been declined.
22 December 1920. Joe Lynch w pts 15 Pete Herman
Venue: Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, NYC, New York, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Patsy Haley.
Fight Summary: Even though he made a good start, Herman (116) was soon pegged back by Lynch (116), who quickly realised that he could hurt the champion with the right hand. He also used his longer reach effectively to take at least ten of the 15 rounds on his way to winning the title by a unanimous points decision. Although neither man took unnecessary risks, Herman was far too negative, boxing mainly in defensive mode and rarely showing his wares at close quarters where he was expected to be at his most effective. This was the first bantamweight title fight held under Walker Law.
28 February 1921. Joe Lynch nd-w pts 10 Young Montreal
Venue: Roller Palace Rink, Detroit, Michigan, USA. Recognition: World.
Fight Summary: With Montreal (118) having no trouble in reaching Lynch (117½) with his left jab, the opening seven rounds were relatively even. However, after the champion floored Montreal for 'eight' in the eighth he walked off with the next two sessions as well as the press decision.
25 July 1921. Pete Herman w pts 15 Joe Lynch
Venue: Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, NYC, New York, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Patsy Haley.
Fight Summary: In what was a skilful contest rather than an exciting one, Herman (116 ¾) regained his title when taking all but three of the rounds to fully justify the unanimous decision according to the New York Times. The paper went on to say that Herman fought as though his life depended on the result, Lynch (116¾) seemingly nonplussed as he took a steady, systematic beating. Working the body to drain the champion of his strength before targeting the head enabled Herman to take the sting from his rival’s heavy right hand and to dictate matters. There were no knockdowns, but Lynch was cut on the left eye in the 13th which further hindered his progress.
23 September 1921. Johnny Buff w pts 15 Pete Herman
Venue: Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, NYC, New York, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Patsy Haley.
Fight Summary: As the aggressor throughout, despite often rushing in regardless, Buff (113½) shook the harder-hitting Herman (117¾) free of the title when winning the unanimous decision of the judges. Herman, who was cut over the left eye in the second session, must have sensed that he was in danger of losing the championship when staging a fast finish in the final two rounds, but in reality it was too little too late. While neither man was ever in danger of being knocked out, although Buff hit the floor in the fourth before getting up without a count, Herman, who let several opportunities slip through his hands, was a big disappointment.
10 November 1921. Johnny Buff w pts 15 Little Jackie Sharkey
Venue: Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, NYC, New York, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Patsy Haley.
15 December 1921. Johnny Buff nd-l pts 10 Memphis Pal Moore
Venue: National AC, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Recognition: World.
10 July 1922. Joe Lynch w rsc 14 (15) Johnny Buff.
Venue: The Velodrome, Bronx, NYC, New York, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Patsy Haley.
21 August 1922. Joe Lynch w co 6 (15) Frankie Murray
Venue: Southern AC, Shreveport, Louisiana. Recognition: World. Referee: William Best
24 November 1922. Joe Lynch w rsc 5 (12) Benny Schwartz
Venue: Memorial Hall, Springfield, Ohio, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Dr S. N. Scott.
30 November 1922. Joe Lynch nd-w pts 10 Frankie Daly
Venue: Tomlinson’s Hall, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Recognition: World.
22 December 1922. Joe Lynch w pts 15 Midget Smith
Venue: Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, NYC, New York, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: William McPartland.
23 January 1924. Joe Lynch nd-w co 2 (10) Paddy Owens
Venue: The Coliseum, El Dorado, Arkansas, USA. Recognition: NBA/Lineal. Referee: Frank Foster.
21 March 1924. Abe Goldstein w pts 15 Joe Lynch
Venue: Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, NYC, New York, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Jack O’Sullivan.
5 May 1924. Abe Goldstein nd-w pts 10 Clarence Rosen
Venue: Fair Ground Coliseum, Detroit, Michigan, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Harry Ertle.
16 July 1924. Abe Goldstein w pts 15 Charles Ledoux
Venue: The Velodrome, Bronx, NYC, New York, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Ed Purdy.
8 September 1924. Abe Goldstein w pts 15 Tommy Ryan
Venue: Queensboro Stadium, Queens, NYC, New York, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Patsy Haley.
19 December 1924. Eddie Martin w pts 15 Abe Goldstein
Venue: Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, NYC, New York, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Tom Sheridan.
20 March 1925. Charley Phil Rosenberg w pts 15 Eddie Martin
Venue: Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, NYC, New York, USA. Recognition: NY/Lineal. Referee: Patsy Haley.
23 July 1925. Charley Phil Rosenberg w co 4 (15) Eddie Shea
Venue: The Velodrome, Bronx, NYC, New York, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Patsy Haley.
On 26 October 1926, following the failure to post a forfeit for a forthcoming title defence against Bud Taylor in Chicago, Illinois, the NBA stripped him of their version of the championship, naming the latter as champion. Somewhat surprisingly, Rosenberg forfeited his title on the scales in New York when weighing in at 122½lbs for a defence against Bushy Graham. With any number of claimants such as Bud Taylor, Teddy Baldock and Bushy Graham supported in some quarters, it was not until Panama Al Brown was matched against Johnny Erickson for the NBA and NY titles in a unification match that there would be another man recognised as champion by both bodies.
8 February 1930. Panama Al Brown w disq 4 (15) Johnny Erickson
Venue: Olympia AC, Manhattan, NYC, New York, USA. Recognition: NBA/NY/Lineal. Referee: Jack Dorman.
4 October 1930. Panama Al Brown w pts 15 Eugene Huat
Venue: Winter Velodrome, Paris, France. Recognition: World. Referee: Moss Deyong.
25 August 1931. Panama Al Brown w pts 15 Pete Sanstol
Venue: The Forum, Montreal, Canada. Recognition: World. Referee: John W. Clinnin.
27 October 1931. Panama Al Brown w pts 15 Eugene Huat
Venue: The Forum, Montreal, Canada. Recognition: World. Referee: George Rivet.
10 July 1932. Panama Al Brown w pts 15 Kid Francis
Venue: Bullring Circus, Marseilles, France. Recognition: World. Referee: Carlo Lomazzi.
19 September 1932. Panama Al Brown w co 1 (15) Emile Pladner
Venue: The Coliseum, Toronto, Canada. Recognition: World. Referee: Lou Marsh.
19 March 1933. Panama Al Brown w pts 12 Domenico Bernasconi
Venue: Sports Palace, Milan, Italy. Recognition: World. Referee: Jack Hart.
3 July 1933. Panama Al Brown w pts 15 Johnny King
Venue: King’s Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, England. Recognition: World. Referee: Jack Dare.
19 February 1934. Panama Al Brown w pts 15 Young Perez
Venue: Sports Palace, Paris, France. Recognition: IBU/NBA/NY/Lineal. Referee: Teodoro Mario.
1 November 1934. Panama Al Brown w co 10 (15) Young Perez
Venue: Belvedere Stadium, Tunis, Tunisia. Recognition: IBU/Lineal. Referee: Mario De Fante.
1 June 1935. Baltasar Sangchilli w pts 15 Panama Al Brown
Venue: The Bullring, Valencia, Spain. Recognition: IBU/Lineal. Referee: Rene Schemann.
Scorecard: 13-2.
29 June 1936. Tony Marino w co 14 (15) Baltasar Sangchilli
Venue: Dyckman Oval, Manhattan, NYC, New York, USA. Recognition: Lineal.
31 August 1936. Sixto Escobar w rsc 13 (15) Tony Marino
Venue: Dyckman Oval, Manhattan, NYC, New York, USA. Recognition: NBA/NY/Lineal. Referee: Billy Cavanagh.
13 October 1936. Sixto Escobar w co 1 (15) Indian Quintana
Venue: Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, NYC, New York, USA. Recognition: NBA/NY/Lineal. Referee: Arthur Donovan.
21 February 1937. Sixto Escobar w pts 15 Lou Salica
Venue: Escambron Beach Baseball Park, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Recognition: NBA/NY/Lineal. Referee: Jack Dempsey.
23 September 1937. Harry Jeffra w pts 15 Sixto Escobar
Venue: Polo Grounds, Manhattan, NYC, New York, USA. Recognition: NBA/NY/Lineal. Referee: Frank Fullam.
20 February 1938. Sixto Escobar w pts 15 Harry Jeffra
Venue: Escambron Beach Baseball Park, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Recognition: NBA/NY/Lineal. Referee: Johnny McAvoy.
2 April 1939. Sixto Escobar w pts 15 KO Morgan
Venue: Escambron Beach Baseball Park, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Recognition: World. Referee: Pablo Albanese.
This fight virtually signalled the end for Escobar as a top-class fighting machine, losing three of his next four contests, and he eventually relinquished the title on 27 October due to weight-making difficulties following a ten-round points defeat at the hands of the 120lbs Tony Olivera. Although Tony Olivera and KO Morgan were ranked above them, The NYSAC and the NBA brought Georgie Pace and Lou Salica together in an effort to unify the title.
4 March 1940. Georgie Pace drew 15 Lou Salica
Venue: Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada. Recognition: NBA/NY/Lineal. Referee: Billy Burke.
24 September 1940. Lou Salica w pts 15 Georgie Pace
Venue: The Coliseum, Bronx, NYC, New York, USA. Recognition: NBA/NY/Lineal. Referee: Eddie Joseph.
2 December 1940. Lou Salica w rsc 3 (15) Small Montana
Venue: Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada. Recognition: NBA/NY/Lineal. Referee: Billy Burke.
13 January 1941. Lou Salica w pts 15 Tommy Forte
Venue: The Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Recognition: NBA/NY/Lineal. Referee: Irving Kutcher.
Scorecards: 7-6-2, 7-7-1, 7-7-1.
25 April 1941. Lou Salica w pts 15 Lou Transparenti
Venue: The Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Charlie Baum.
16 June 1941. Lou Salica w pts 15 Tommy Forte
Venue: Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Irving Kutcher.
Scorecards: 7-6-2, 9-6, 9-5-1.
7 August 1942. Manuel Ortiz w pts 12 Lou Salica
Venue: Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: NBA/Lineal. Referee: Abe Roth.
1 January 1943. Manuel Ortiz w pts 10 Kenny Lindsay
Venue: Civic Auditorium, Portland, Oregon, USA. Recognition: NBA/Lineal. Referee: Ralph Gruman.
27 January 1943. Manuel Ortiz w rsc 10 (15) George Freitas
Venue: Municipal Auditorium, Oakland, California, USA. Recognition: NBA/Lineal. Referee: Billy Burke.
10 March 1943. Manuel Ortiz w rsc 11 (15) Lou Salica
Venue: Municipal Auditorium, Oakland, California, USA. Recognition: NBA/NY/Lineal. Referee: Billy Burke.
28 April 1943. Manuel Ortiz w co 6 (15) Lupe Cordoza
Venue: Will Rogers’ Coliseum, Fort Worth, Texas, USA. Recognition: NBA/NY/Lineal. Referee: Sully Montgomery.
26 May 1943. Manuel Ortiz w pts 15 Joe Robleto
Venue: Municipal Auditorium, Long Beach, California, USA. Recognition: NBA/NY/Lineal. Referee: Benny Whitman.
12 July 1943. Manuel Ortiz w rsc 7 (15) Joe Robleto
Venue: Civic Auditorium, Seattle, Washington, USA. Recognition: NBA/NY/Lineal. Referee: Eddie Pinkman.
1 October 1943. Manuel Ortiz w co 4 (15) Leonardo Lopez
Venue: Legion Stadium, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: NBA/NY/Lineal. Referee: Abe Roth.
23 November 1943. Manuel Ortiz w pts 15 Benny Goldberg
Venue: Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: NBA/NY/Lineal. Referee: Mushy Callahan.
Scorecards: 91-73, 88-77, 91½-72½.
14 March 1944. Manuel Ortiz w pts 15 Ernesto Aguilar
Venue: Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: NBA/NY/Lineal. Referee: Charley Randolph.
Scorecards: 83-82, 89-76, 87-78.
4 April 1944. Manuel Ortiz w pts 15 Tony Olivera
Venue: Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: NBA/NY/Lineal. Referee: Reg Gilmore.
Scorecards: 86½-76½, 91-74, 91-77.
12 September 1944. Manuel Ortiz w rsc 4 (12) Luis Castillo
Venue: Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Mushy Callahan.
14 November 1944. Manuel Ortiz w rsc 9 (15) Luis Castillo
Venue: Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Benny Whitman.
25 February 1946. Manuel Ortiz w co 13 (15) Luis Castillo
Venue: Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Jack Downey.
25 May 1946. Manuel Ortiz w co 5 (15) Kenny Lindsay
Venue: Legion Stadium, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Abe Roth.
10 June 1946. Manuel Ortiz w co 11 (15) Jackie Jurich
Venue: Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Toby Irwin.
6 January 1947. Harold Dade w pts 15 Manuel Ortiz
Venue: Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Billy Burke.
Scorecards: 87½-77½, 86-69, 86½-78½.
11 March 1947. Manuel Ortiz w pts 15 Harold Dade
Venue: Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Frankie Van.
Scorecards: 82½-81½, 83-81, 83-81.
30 May 1947. Manuel Ortiz w pts 15 David Kui Kong Young
Venue: The Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii. Recognition: World. Referee: Willie Whittle.
20 December 1947. Manuel Ortiz w pts 15 Tirso Del Rosario
Venue: Rizal Stadium, Manila, Philippines. Recognition: World. Referee: Willie Whittle.
Scorecard: 12-3.
4 July 1948. Manuel Ortiz w co 8 (15) Memo Valero
Venue: Calafia Bullring, Mexicali, Mexico. Recognition: World.
1 March 1949. Manuel Ortiz w pts 15 Dado Marino
Venue: The Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii. Recognition: World. Referee: Walter Cho.
Scorecards: 16-3, 13-1, 17-1.
31 May 1950. Vic Toweel w pts 15 Manuel Ortiz
Venue: Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa. Recognition: World. Referee: Willie Corner.
2 December 1950. Vic Toweel w rtd 10 (15) Danny O'Sullivan
Venue: Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa. Recognition: World. Referee: Ted Benjamin.
17 November 1951. Vic Toweel w pts 15 Luis Romero
Venue: Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa. Recognition: World. Referee: Willie Smith.
26 January 1952. Vic Toweel w pts 15 Peter Keenan
Venue: Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa. Recognition: World. Referee: Cyril Baynes.
15 November 1952. Jimmy Carruthers w co 1 (15) Vic Toweel
Venue: Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa. Recognition: World. Referee: Willie Smith.
21 March 1953. Jimmy Carruthers w co 10 (15) Vic Toweel
Venue: Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa. Recognition: World. Referee: Willie Smith.
13 November 1953. Jimmy Carruthers w pts 15 Pappy Gault
Venue: Sports Ground, Sydney, Australia. Recognition: World. Referee: Harry Mack.
Scorecards: 145-106, 150-106, 150-106.
2 May 1954. Jimmy Carruthers w pts 12 Chamroen Songkitrat
Venue: National Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand. Recognition: World. Referee: Bill Henneberry
Scorecard: 31½-27½.
Responding to the announcement by Carruthers the day after that he was retiring, the World Championship Committee eventually selected Robert Cohen and Songkitrat to contest the vacant title after a defence of the former’s EBU title (that would have also involved the world championship) against Pierre Cossemyns fell through.
19 September 1954. Robert Cohen w pts 15 Chamroen Songkitrat
Venue: Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand. Recognition: World. Referee: Teddy Waltham.
Scorecards: 73½-70½, 73½-72½, 71½-72.
3 September 1955. Robert Cohen drew 15 Willie Toweel
Venue: Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa. Recognition: EBU/NY/Lineal. Referee: Willie Lubbers.
29 June 1956. Mario D'Agata w rtd 6 (15) Robert Cohen
Venue: Olympic Football Stadium, Rome, Italy. Recognition: EBU/NY/Lineal. Referee: Teddy Waltham.
1 April 1957. Alphonse Halimi w pts 15 Mario D'Agata
Venue: Sports Palace, Paris, France. Recognition: EBU/NY/Lineal. Referee: Philippe De Becker.
6 November 1957. Alphonse Halimi w pts 15 Raton Macias
Venue: Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Mushy Callahan.
Scorecards: 148-141, 147-136, 141-144.
8 July 1959. Jose Becerra w co 8 (15) Alphonse Halimi
Venue: Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Tommy Hart.
4 February 1960. Jose Becerra w co 9 (15) Alphonse Halimi
Venue: Municipal Coliseum, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Tommy Hart.
23 May 1960. Jose Becerra w pts 15 Kenji Yonekura
Venue: Korakuen Stadium, Tokyo, Japan. Recognition: World. Referee: Ramon Berumen.
Scorecards: 147-141, 146-142, 143-148.
Becerra announced his retirement immediately after being knocked out in eight rounds of a non-title bout by his compatriot, Eloy Sanchez, at the Monumental Bullring, Juarez, Mexico on 30 August. With Johnny Caldwell being the EBU champion, his contest against Eder Jofre, the NBA champion, would involve the world tiotle.
18 January 1962. Eder Jofre w rsc 10 (15) Johnny Caldwell
Venue: Ibirapuera Stadium, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Recognition: World. Referee: Willie Pep.
4 May 1962. Eder Jofre w rsc 10 (15) Herman Marques
Venue: Cow Palace, Daly City, California, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Fred Apostoli.
11 September 1962. Eder Jofre w co 6 (15) Joe Medel
Venue: Ibirapuera Stadium, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Recognition: World. Referee: Joaquin Arvas.
4 April 1963. Eder Jofre w co 3 (15) Katsutoshi Aoki
Venue: Kuramae Arena, Tokyo, Japan. Recognition: World. Referee: Antonio Ziravello.
18 May 1963. Eder Jofre w rtd 10 (15) Johnny Jamito
Venue: Araneta Coliseum, Manila, Philippines. Recognition: World. Referee: Antonio Ziravello.
27 November 1964. Eder Jofre w co 7 (15) Bernardo Caraballo
Venue: The Bullring, Bogota, Colombia. Recognition: World. Referee: Barney Ross.
18 May 1965. Fighting Harada w pts 15 Eder Jofre
Venue: Aichi Prefectural Gym, Nagoya, Japan. Recognition: World. Referee: Barney Ross.
Scorecards: 71-69, 72-70, 69-72.
30 November 1965. Fighting Harada w pts 15 Alan Rudkin
Venue: Martial Arts Hall, Tokyo, Japan. Recognition: World. Referee: Ko Toyama.
Scorecards: 74-66, 74-65, 72-70.
31 May 1966. Fighting Harada w pts 15 Eder Jofre
Venue: Tokyo, Martial Arts Hall, Japan. Recognition: World. Referee: Nicholas Pope.
Scorecards: 69-68, 71-68, 71-69.
3 January 1967. Fighting Harada w pts 15 Joe Medel
Venue: Aichi Prefectural Gym Nagoya, Japan. Recognition: World. Referee: Masao Kato.
Scorecards: 76-67, 73-67, 72-68.
4 July 1967. Fighting Harada w pts 15 Bernardo Caraballo
Venue: Martial Arts Hall, Tokyo, Japan. Recognition: World. Referee: Ko Toyama.
Scorecards: 72-66, 71-68, 72-68.
27 February 1968. Lionel Rose w pts 15 Fighting Harada
Venue: Martial Arts Hall, Tokyo, Japan. Recognition: World. Referee: Ko Toyama.
Scorecards: 72-71, 72-69, 72-70.
2 July 1968. Lionel Rose w pts 15 Takao Sakurai
Venue: Martial Arts Hall, Tokyo, Japan. Recognition: World. Referee: Nicholas Pope.
Scorecards: 72-71, 72-70, 72-72.
6 December 1968. Lionel Rose w pts 15 Chucho Castillo
Venue: Inglewood Forum, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Dick Young.
Scorecards: 7-6, 7-6, 7-9.
8 March 1969. Lionel Rose w pts 15 Alan Rudkin
Venue: Kooyong Tennis Courts, Melbourne, Australia. Recognition: World. Referee: Vic Patrick.
Scorecards: 75-60, 70-63, 69-70.
22 August 1969. Ruben Olivares w rsc 5 (15) Lionel Rose
Venue: Inglewood Forum, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Larry Rozadilla.
12 December 1969. Ruben Olivares w rsc 2 (15) Alan Rudkin
Venue: Inglewood Forum, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: John Thomas.
18 April 1970. Ruben Olivares w pts 15 Chucho Castillo
Venue: Inglewood Forum, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: George Latka.
Scorecards: 9-4, 10-5, 7-6.
16 October 1970. Chucho Castillo w rsc 14 (15) Ruben Olivares
Venue: Inglewood Forum, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: Dick Young.
2 April 1971. Ruben Olivares w pts 15 Chucho Castillo
Venue: Inglewood Forum, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: John Thomas.
Scorecards: 9-4, 12-4, 10-3.
25 October 1971. Ruben Olivares w rsc 14 (15) Kazuyoshi Kanazawa
Venue: Aichi Prefectural Gym, Nagoya, Japan. Recognition: World. Referee: Jay Edson.
14 December 1971. Ruben Olivares w rtd 11 (15) Jesus Pimentel
Venue: Inglewood Forum, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: World. Referee: John Thomas.
19 March 1972. Rafael Herrera w co 8 (15) Ruben Olivares
Venue: City Bullring, Mexico City, Mexico. Recognition: World. Referee: Ray Solis.
29 July 1972. Enrique Pinder w pts 15 Rafael Herrera
Venue: New City Gym, Panama City, Panama. Recognition: World. Referee: Waldemar Schmidt.
Scorecards: 147-142, 147-143, 149-138.
20 January 1973. Romeo Anaya w co 3 (15) Enrique Pinder
Venue: New City Gym, Panama City, Panama. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Roberto Lopez.
28 April 1973. Romeo Anaya w pts 15 Rogelio Lara
Venue: Inglewood Forum, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: John Thomas.
Scorecards: 8-6, 8-6, 6-7.
18 August 1973. Romeo Anaya w co 3 (15) Enrique Pinder
Venue: Inglewood Forum, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: George Latka.
3 November 1973. Arnold Taylor w co 14 (15) Romeo Anaya
Venue: Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Stan Christodoulou.
3 July 1974. Soo-Hwan Hong w pts 15 Arnold Taylor
Venue: West Ridge Park Tennis Stadium, Durban, South Africa. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Jack Bryant.
28 December 1974. Soo-Hwan Hong w pts 15 Fernando Cabanela
Venue: Changchung Gym, Seoul, South Korea. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Yusaku Yushida.
Scorecards: 75-70, 73-69, 72-74.
14 March 1975. Alfonso Zamora w co 4 (15) Soo-Hwan Hong
Venue: Inglewood Forum, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: George Latka.
30 August 1975. Alfonso Zamora w rsc 4 (15) Thanomchit Sukhothai
Venue: Convention Centre, Anaheim, Ca, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Dick Young.
6 December 1975. Alfonso Zamora w co 2 (15) Socrates Batoto
Venue: City Bullring, Mexico City, Mexico. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Ernesto Magana.
3 April 1976. Alfonso Zamora w co 2 (15) Eusebio Pedroza
Venue: Calafia Bullring, Mexicali, Mexico. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Octavio Meyran.
10 July 1976. Alfonso Zamora w rsc 3 (15) Gilberto Illueca
Venue: Monumental Bullring, Juarez, Mexico. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Larry Rozadilla.
16 October 1976. Alfonso Zamora w rsc 12 (15) Soo-Hwan Hong
Venue: Sunin Gym, Inchon, South Korea. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Octavio Meyran.
19 November 1977. Jorge Lujan w rsc 10 (15) Alfonso Zamora
Venue: Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: John Thomas.
18 March 1978. Jorge Lujan w rsc 11 (15) Roberto Rubaldino
Venue: HemisFair Arena, San Antonio, Texas, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Sergio Tulio Ley.
15 September 1978. Jorge Lujan w pts 15 Alberto Davila
Venue: The Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Carlos Berrocal.
Scorecards: 146-143, 146-143, 146-142.
8 April 1979. Jorge Lujan w rsc 15 (15) Cleo Garcia
Venue: Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Davy Pearl.
6 October 1979. Jorge Lujan w co 15 (15) Roberto Rubaldino
Venue: Villa Real Convention Centre, McAllen, Texas, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Carlos Berrocal.
2 April 1980. Jorge Lujan w rsc 9 (15) Shuichi Isogami
Venue: Kuramae Arena, Tokyo, Japan. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Larry Rozadilla.
29 August 1980. Julian Solis w pts 15 Jorge Lujan
Venue: Convention Hall, Miami, Florida, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Jimmy Rondeau.
Scorecards: 144-142, 144-143, 144-148.
14 November 1980. Jeff Chandler w rsc 14 (15) Julian Solis
Venue: Jai-Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Carlos Berrocal.
31 January 1981. Jeff Chandler w pts 15 Jorge Lujan
Venue: Franklin Plaza Hotel, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Roberto Ramirez.
Scorecards: 146-142, 146-143, 148-143.
5 April 1981. Jeff Chandler drew 15 Eijiro Murata
Venue: Kuramae Arena, Tokyo, Japan. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Ernesto Magana.
Scorecards: 145-142, 146-147, 146-146.
25 July 1981. Jeff Chandler w co 7 (15) Julian Solis
Venue: Resorts International Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Tony Perez.
10 December 1981. Jeff Chandler w rsc 13 (15) Eijiro Murata
Venue: Sands Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Vincent Rainone.
27 March 1982. Jeff Chandler w rsc 6 (15) Johnny Carter
Venue: Civic Centre, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Frank Cappuccino.
27 October 1982. Jeff Chandler w rsc 9 (15) Miguel Iriarte
Venue: Resorts International Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Joe Cortez.
13 March 1983. Jeff Chandler w pts 15 Gaby Canizales
Venue: Resorts International Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Tony Perez.
Scorecards: 148-140, 147-140, 145-141.
11 September 1983. Jeff Chandler w rsc 10 (15) Eijiro Murata
Venue: Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Isidro Rodriguez.
17 December 1983. Jeff Chandler w rsc 7 (15) Oscar Muniz
Venue: Sands Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Vincent Rainone.
7 April 1984. Richie Sandoval w rsc 15 (15) Jeff Chandler
Venue: Sands Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Arthur Mercante.
22 September 1984. Richie Sandoval w pts 15 Edgar Roman
Venue: Circus Tent, Monte Carlo, Monaco. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Angelo Priami.
Scorecards: 150-138, 149-139, 149-137.
15 December 1984. Richie Sandoval w rsc 8 (15) Cardenio Ulloa
Venue: Convention Centre, Miami, Florida, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Ernest Magana.
10 March 1986. Gaby Canizales w rsc 7 (15) Richie Sandoval
Venue: Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Carlos Padilla.
4 June 1986. Bernardo Pinango w pts 15 Gaby Canizales
Venue: Byrne Meadowlands Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Joe Cortez.
Scorecards: 147-138, 148-144, 146-142.
4 October 1986. Bernardo Pinango w rsc 10 (15) Ciro De Leva
Venue: Sports Palace, Turin, Italy. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Stan Christodoulou.
22 November 1986. Bernardo Pinango w co 15 (15) Simon Skosana
Venue: Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Uriel Aquilera.
3 February 1987. Bernardo Pinango w pts 15 Frankie Duarte
Venue: Inglewood Forum, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Hubert Earle.
Scorecards: 142-141, 143-140, 145-140.
Due to defend against Takuya Muguruma, Pinango decided to relinquish the WBA title on 15 March, just two weeks before the fight, being replaced by his stablemate, Azael Moran, at short notice. The lineal title was also automatically vacated. The next fight to involve the lineal title came when the top-rated Raul Perez defended his WBC title against the second-ranked Gaby Canizales.
22 January 1990. Raul Perez w pts 12 Gaby Canizales
Venue: Great Western Forum, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: WBC/Lineal. Referee: Vince Delgado.
Scorecards: 119-109, 116-102, 117-109.
7 May 1990. Raul Perez w rsc 9 Gerardo Martinez
Venue: Great Western Forum, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: WBC/Lineal. Referee: Henry Elesperu.
14 September 1990. Raul Perez drew 12 Jose Valdez
Venue: Sinaloense Bullring, Culiacan, Mexico. Recognition: WBC/Lineal. Referee: Carlos Padilla.
Scorecards: 116-115, 112-117, 115-114.
17 December 1990. Raul Perez w co 8 Candelario Carmona
Venue: The Auditorium, Tijuana, Mexico. Recognition: WBC/Lineal. Referee: Guillermo Ayon.
25 February 1991. Greg Richardson w pts 12 Raul Perez
Venue: Great Western Forum, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: WBC/Lineal. Referee: Vince Delgado.
Scorecards: 116-112, 115-113, 115-113.
20 May 1991. Greg Richardson w pts 12 Victor Rabanales
Venue: Great Western Forum, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: WBC/Lineal. Referee: Lou Filippo.
Scorecards: 115-111, 117-112, 113-115.
19 September 1991. Joichiro Tatsuyoshi w rtd 10 Greg Richardson
Venue: Moriguchi City Gym, Tokyo, Japan. Recognition: WBC/Lineal. Referee: Tony Perez.
17 September 1992. Victor Rabanales w rsc 9 Joichiro Tatsuyoshi
Venue: Castle Hall, Osaka, Japan. Recognition: WBC/Lineal. Referee: Richard Steele.
25 January 1993. Victor Rabanales w pts 12 Dadoy Andujar
Venue: Great Western Forum, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: WBC/Lineal. Referee: Rudy Ortega.
Scorecards: 116-113, 117-111, 118-110.
28 March 1993. Jung-Il Byun w pts 12 Victor Rabanales
Venue: Hyundai Hotel, Kyongju, South Korea. Recognition: WBC/Lineal. Referee: Lou Filippo.
Scorecards: 117-112, 115-113, 117-111.
28 May 1993. Jung-Il Byun w pts 12 Josefino Suarez
Venue: Inter-Continental Hotel, Seoul, South Korea. Recognition: WBC/Lineal. Referee: Richard Steele.
Scorecards: 120-104, 120-106, 119-109.
23 December 1993. Yasuei Yakushiji w pts 12 Jung-Il Byun
Venue: Aichi Prefectural Gym, Nagoya, Japan. Recognition: WBC/Lineal. Referee: Tony Perez.
Scorecards: 115-113, 116-115, 113-115.
16 April 1994. Yasuei Yakushiji w co 10 Josefino Suarez
Venue: Inae Sports Centre, Nagoya, Japan. Recognition: WBC/Lineal. Referee: Carlos Padilla.
31 July 1994. Yasuei Yakushiji w rsc 11 Jung-Il Byun
Venue: Aichi Prefectural Gym, Nagoya, Japan. Recognition: WBC/Lineal. Referee: Lou Filippo.
4 December 1994. Yasuei Yakushiji w pts 12 Joichiro Tatsuyoshi
Venue: Rainbow Hall, Nagoya, Japan. Recognition: WBC/Lineal. Referee: Richard Steele.
Scorecards: 116-112, 115-114, 114-114.
2 April 1995. Yasuei Yakushiji w pts 12 Cuahtemoc Gomez
Venue: Rainbow Hall, Nagoya, Japan. Recognition: WBC/Lineal. Referee: Frank Cappuccino.
Scorecards: 116-112, 117-111, 114-114.
30 July 1995. Wayne McCullough w pts 12 Yasuei Yakushiji
Venue: Aichi Prefectural Gym, Nagoya, Japan. Recognition: WBC/Lineal. Referee: Joe Cortez.
Scorecards: 118-110, 116-113, 115-116.
2 December 1995. Wayne McCullough w rsc 8 Johnny Bredahl
Venue: King’s Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Recognition: WBC/Lineal. Referee: Lupe Garcia.
30 March 1996. Wayne McCullough w pts 12 Jose Luis Bueno
Venue: Point Depot, Dublin, Ireland. Recognition: WBC/Lineal. Referee: Lou Filippo.
Scorecards: 118-114, 116-112, 113-116.
McCullough stated that win, lose or draw he was relinquishing the WBC title when challenging Daniel Zaragoza on 11 January 1997 for the WBC junior featherweight crown, and following his defeat both the WBC and lineal titles were also automatically vacated. The lineal title would be next contested when the top-rated Tim Austin’s next defence of the IBF title would be against the fourth-ranked Rafael Marquez.
15 February 2003. Rafael Marquez w rsc 8 Tim Austin
Venue: Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Recognition: IBF/Lineal. Referee: Vic Drakulich.
4 October 2003. Rafael Marquez w pts 12 Mauricio Pastrana
Venue: Staples Centre, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: IBF/Lineal. Referee: Jon Schorle.
Scorecards: 118-110, 118-110, 117-111.
31 January 2004. Rafael Marquez w rsc 2 Pete Frissina
Venue: Dodge Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Recognition: IBF/Lineal. Referee: Raul Caiz Jnr.
31 July 2004. Rafael Marquez w rsc 3 Heriberto Ruiz
Venue: MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Recognition: IBF/Lineal. Referee: Tony Weeks.
27 November 2004. Rafael Marquez w rtd 8 Mauricio Pastrana
Venue: MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Recognition: IBF/Lineal. Referee: Robert Byrd.
28 May 2005. Rafael Marquez w pts 12 Ricardo Vargas
Venue: Staples Centre, Los Angeles, California, USA. Recognition: IBF/Lineal. Referee: Pat Russell.
Scorecards: 118-109, 116-111, 116-111.
5 November 2005. Rafael Marquez w rsc 4 Silence Mabuza
Venue: Caesar’s Palace, Lake Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, USA. Recognition: IBF/Lineal. Referee: Norm Budden.
5 August 2006. Rafael Marquez w rtd 9 Silence Mabuza
Venue: Montbleu Resort Casino, Stateline, Nevada, USA. Recognition: IBF/Lineal. Referee: Tony Weeks.
When Marquez vacated the IBF version of the title on 16 March 2007, having become the WBC junior featherweight champion on 3 March 2007, a match was eventually set up between Luis Alberto Perez and Genaro Garcia to find a new champion. The lineal title automatically became vacant at the same time as Marquez moved on. The lineal title next became available when Fernando Montiel met Hozumi Hasegawa in a WBC/WBO unification contest.
30 April 2010. Fernando Montiel w rsc 4 Hozumi Hasegawa
Venue: Nihon Budokan Arena, Tokyo, Japan. Recognition: WBC/WBO/Lineal. Referee: Laurence Cole.
17 July 2010. Fernando Montiel w rsc 3 Rafael Concepcion
Venue: Fairground Stockade, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico. Recognition: WBC/WBO/Lineal. Referee: Robert Byrd.
19 February 2011. Nonito Donaire w rsc 2 Fernando Montiel
Venue: Mandalay Bay Events Centre, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Recognition: WBC/WBO/Lineal. Referee: Russell Mora.
22 October 2011. Nonito Donaire w pts 12 Omar Narvaez
Venue: WaMu Theatre, MSG, Manhattan, NYC, New York, USA. Recognition: WBC/WBO/Lineal. Referee: Benjy Esteves Jnr.
Scorecards: 120-108, 120-108, 120-108.
After signing for a fight against Wilfredo Vazquez Jnr for the WBO junior featherweight crown Donaire relinquished all of his titles on 24 November. When the top-ranked Anselmo Moreno, the WBA champion, put his title on the line against Voc Darchinyan, rated at number four, the lineal title should be seen to be on the line.
3 December 2011. Anselmo Moreno w pts 12 Vic Darchinyan
Venue: Honda Centre, Anaheim, California, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Raul Caiz Jnr.
Scorecards: 116-111, 117-110, 120-107.
21 April 2012. Anselmo Moreno w rtd 8 David De La Mora
Venue: Don Haskins’ Centre, El Paso, Texas, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Luis Pabon.
10 August 2013. Anselmo Moreno w pts 12 William Urina
Venue: Megapolis Convention Centre, Panama City, Panama. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Stan Christoloudou.
Scorecards: 118-110, 118-110, 116-112.
22 March 2014. Anselmo Moreno w pts 12 Javier Nicolas Chacon
Venue: Roberto Duran Arena, Panama City, Panama. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Russell Mora.
Scorecards: 117-108, 117-109, 118-108.
26 September 2014. Juan Carlos Payano w tdec 6 Anselmo Moreno
Venue: The Arena, Mesquite, Texas, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Luis Pabon.
Scorecards: 59-55, 58-56, 58-56.
2 August 2015. Juan Carlos Payano w pts 12 Rau'shee Warren
Venue: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Frank Santore Jnr.
Scorecards: 113-111, 113-111, 109-115.
18 June 2016. Rau'shee Warren w pts 12 Juan Carlos Payano
Venue: UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Celestino Ruiz.
Scorecards: 115-113, 115-113, 114-114.
10 February 2017. Zhanat Zhakiyanov w pts 12 Rau’shee Warren
Venue: Huntington Centre, Toledo, Ohio, USA. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Gary Rosato.
Scorecards: 115-111, 116-110, 111-115.
21 October 2017. Ryan Burnett w pts 12 Zhanat Zhakiyanov
Venue: SSE Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Recognition: IBF/WBA/Lineal. Referee: Howard Foster.
Scorecards: 118-110, 116-112, 119-109.
31 March 2018. Ryan Burnett w pts 12 Yonfrez Parejo
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Terry O’Connor.
Scorecards: 120-108, 120-108, 116-112.
3 November 2018. Nonito Donaire w rtd 4 Ryan Burnett
Venue: SSE Hydro, Glasgow Scotland. Recognition: WBA/Lineal. Referee: Howard Foster.