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As this division has no maximum weight limit, it has been historically vaguely defined. In the 19th century, for example, many heavyweight champions weighed 170 pounds (77 kg) or less (although others weighed 200 (91 kg) and more). In 1920, the minimum weight for a heavyweight was set at 175 pounds (79 kg), which today is the light heavyweight division minimum. Today, for most boxing organizations, the weight limit is 190 pounds (86 kg). Note that this does not prevent a boxer under 190 pounds (86 kg)fighting as a heavyweight, if he so wished, merely that a fighter who weighs over 190 pounds (86 kg) may not fight as anything but a heavyweight.

It is impossible to say who the "first" heavyweight champion was, as the sport of boxing goes back as far as recorded history and there have always been large fighters. Even in the bare-knuckle era, "champions" were plentiful. Some of the most notable of these included the slave Tom Molineaux , Jack Slack , Jem Belcher , Ben Caunt and Jem Mace .

The first heavyweight champion under the Marquess of Queensberry rules was the immensely popular John L. Sullivan, known as "The Boston Strong Boy." He weighed around 200 pounds (91 kg) when in shape and was a bare-knuckle champion. He was defeated by Jim Corbett on September 7, 1892 in 21 rounds. (Today title bouts are limited to 12 rounds, but not so in the early days.)

Some notable heavyweights have been:

• John L. Sullivan
• Jim Corbett
• Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight champ
• Jack Dempsey
• Joe Louis, who defended the title a record number of times
• Rocky Marciano, the only heavyweight champ to retire undefeated
• Floyd PattersonFloyd Patterson (born January 4, 1935) is a former Heavyweight boxing champion who made history multiple times in the sport of boxing Born into a poor family in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, Patterson had was one of eleven children and an insular and trou, the first heavyweight champ to regain the title
• Sonny ListonCharles Liston ( May 8 1932 (uncertain) December 30 1970), better known in the boxing world as Sonny Liston was a boxer who became world Heavyweight champion, and whose life and personality were always obscure. As a boxer, his nickname was The Big Bear''.
• Muhammad AliOther people with this name: Muhammad Ali of Egypt, Mehemet Ali (Turkey Muhammad Ali-Haj (born January 17, 1942 as Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. is an American boxer. He was one of the world's greatest heavyweight boxers, as well as one of the world's most f, often called "The Greatest"
• George ForemanGeorge Edward Foreman (born January 10, 1949) is a former boxer and an ordained Christian minister who was world Heavyweight champion. His nickname is Big George''. Foreman, son of JB and Nancy Foreman, is a native of Marshall, Texas. During his youth, he, who reclaimed the championship to become the oldest heavyweight champion at 45
• Larry HolmesLarry Holmes (born November 3, 1949), former world Heavyweight champion who won his first 48 professional fights, threatening to break Rocky Marciano's record of the most fights undefeated for a world champion (49-0). Holmes was born in Cuthbert, Georgia
• Evander HolyfieldEvander Holyfield (born October 19, 1962) is a professional boxer who has earned millions of dollars and made history. He won a bronze medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games after losing a controversial disqualification to New Zealand's Kevin Barry.
• Mike Tyson
• Lennox Lewis