Guinness World Records and boxing have more in common than one might think.
Muhammad Ali has been recognized many times for his accomplishments in and out of the ring.
Heavyweight champion extraordinaire Joe Louis holds the Guinness World Record as the longest reigning champion in any weight division, at 11 years and 252 days.
Guinness recognizes the greatest number of rounds ever fought in a prize fight. That was in 1825 in Cheshire, England, when Jack Jones and Patsy Tunney fought 276 rounds, which clocked in at four and a half hours.
According to Guinness World Records, the shortest world title fight in history was on August 7, 1993, between WBC middleweight champion Gerald McClellan and Jay Bell in Puerto Rico. It lasted 20 seconds.
Floyd Mayweather has been recognized by Guinness World Records for being the world’s highest earning athlete. He also hosted the largest boxing lesson of all time. That event was in the Luzhniki Arena in Moscow, Russia, on December 4, 2015, and 791 athletes participated.
Guinness World Records is nothing if not thorough. Some of its boxing entries are sublime. Others are a bit odd.
There is a Guinness World Record for the most tennis balls caught in one minute with a boxing glove. The number of balls was 74 and was achieved by Ashrita Furman and Bipin Larkin in New York City on September 5, 2014.
The record for fastest time to punch 10 TV sets is held by Mike Yikealo. In Stockholm, Sweden, on February 3, 2001, the titleholder, wearing boxing gloves, punched ten 21-inch television sets in a record time of 7.66 seconds on the set of Guinness Rekord TV.
And last but not least, two years ago Abraham “Abe” Pervin was certified as the oldest boxing coach by Guinness World Records. He is 94 years. “It feels great,” he said. “I’m very honored to be recognized by Guinness World Records. I never expected it; what a wonderful surprise.”
On June 18 the WBA made history and joined the ranks of Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, Floyd Mayweather, and Mike Yikealo. At Domo José María Vargas in La Guaira, Venezuela, an all women’s championship fight card, with four world championships and three regional titles at stake, caught the attention of Guinness World Records.
“It shows the boxing world that the WBA goes beyond regular or sanctioned fights to support the rights of women in a sport that many characterize as sexist,” said WBA president Gilberto Jesus Mendoza. “So it is a great honor for me and for the WBA to be awarded this Guinness record.”
Shivana Inalsingh, chairman of the Committee on Women’s Championships, spoke with WBAboxing.com about the Guinness World Records.
“It has been a great honor for the WBA to be part of such a historic event in Venezuela,” she said, “not only for being able to support women boxing at this level, but also that this event has bought together many people from different countries who have worked hard together. The successful result with this Guinness World Record has been a demonstration of what can be accomplished when we share a vision and we come together to work as a team.
“I know that this is a very meaningful recognition for us in the WBA given that this is the home of our former President Gilberto Mendoza and his family, and he was a well respected pioneer in opening the sport to women. I am very proud to be part of this achievement as part of the WBA efforts to continue expanding the opportunities for all Female Boxing Professionals.”
This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.
