The WBA Belt
The World Boxing Association is the oldest of the four bodies. It descends from the National Boxing Association, founded in the USA in 1921, and took its current name in 1962. This guide explains its history and its well-known habit of crowning more than one champion at a time.
The oldest body
The WBA traces back to the National Boxing Association of 1921, renamed the World Boxing Association in 1962, which makes it the senior body among the four. South Africa's Brian Mitchell was a hall-of-fame WBA super-featherweight champion and famed road warrior who defended abroad through the apartheid-isolation years, and Gerrie Coetzee won the WBA heavyweight title in 1983 — both retired-era reference points.
Super, Regular and the clutter
The WBA's notorious quirk is belt clutter. When its champion also holds other major belts, the WBA elevates that fighter to "Super champion" and crowns a separate "Regular champion", so two WBA champions can exist in one division at once; it has also issued "interim" titles. The body has repeatedly pledged to reduce this, an effort that is ongoing rather than finished. Before you bet, be sure which WBA title is actually at stake. For how the fight pays out, see round betting and over/under rounds.
Frequently asked questions
How can the WBA have two champions in one weight class?
When its champion also holds other major belts, the WBA names that fighter Super champion and crowns a separate Regular champion. Both are recognised WBA titleholders in the same division at the same time.
Has the WBA fixed its belt clutter?
It has repeatedly pledged to reduce the number of titles and made partial progress, but the Super, Regular and interim layers have not been fully cleared up. Always check which WBA belt a fight is for.