In 1964, Muhammad Ali claimed the heavyweight boxing title.
Muhammad Ali . He remains the only three-time lineal heavyweight champion , having won the title in 1964 , 1974 , and 1978 . The World Boxing Association ( WBA ) is the oldest and one of four major organizations which sanction world championship boxing bouts , alongside the IBF , WBC and WBO . The World Boxing Council ( WBC ) is one of four major organizations which sanction world championship boxing bouts , alongside the International Boxing Federation ( IBF ) , World Boxing Association ( WBA ) and World Boxing Organization ( WBO ) .