What is the WBA?
The World Boxing Association (WBA) is the oldest of professional boxing's four major sanctioning bodies — founded in 1921 in the United States as the National Boxing Association by representatives of thirteen state commissions, and renamed the WBA in 1962 as the sport internationalized.[1] [2]
What titles does the WBA sanction?
WBA world championships in each division, with monthly rankings determining mandatory challengers. The WBA has historically recognized more than one champion per division — its "Super" and "Regular" titles — a structure it has moved to consolidate; reading a WBA-era record correctly means noting which title was held.[1] [2]
Since when and where?
Founded 1921; headquartered for decades in Panama City, Panama, reflecting the organization's deep Latin American base.[1] [2]
Who leads the WBA?
Gilberto Mendoza Jr. has been president since 2016, succeeding his father Gilberto Mendoza, who led the WBA from 1982 to 2016.[2] [3]
Why does the WBA matter?
A WBA world championship is one of the four titles that define professional boxing; a century of champions from Jack Dempsey's era to today holds its lineage, and WBA rankings are standard evidence of a professional's world standing.[1] [2]
References
- WBA — official site. Accessed August 2026.
- Wikipedia — World Boxing Association (background). Accessed August 2026.
- Wikipedia — Gilberto Mendoza Jr. (background). Accessed August 2026.