On July 2nd, 1921, the World Boxing Association (known as the National Boxing Association back then) was born. That day, Jack Dempsey, acclaimed by the press as heavyweight world champion, knocked out light heavyweight champion Georges Carpentier in the fourth round to become the first world champion recognized by a worldwide sanctioning body.
A few weeks before the fight, 13 boxing commissions met in the state of Rhode Island and established the NBA, which sanctioned title fights and established world ratings. 41 years later, the NBA renamed itself the WBA. Continue reading “WBA celebrates 100th anniversary”