The World Boxing Union, Inc. (WBU) was a professional boxing sanctioning body based in London, UK long time ago. After all boxing sanctioning contracts were fulfilled, the UK company became dormant and eventually was dissolved. The “WBU” brand is featured in movie “The Fighter” starring Mark Wahlberg. The previous incarnation WBU company of WBU titles were recognized in Europe. Though former UK WBU titles have held, by Ricky Hatton, George Foreman, Thomas Hearns, Baby Jake Matlala, James Toney, Johnny Nelson and Micky Ward (on whom their movie “The Fighter” is based).
The prior WBU had ‘golden’ period between 1996–2004 when its title contests were often shown live on satellite and terrestrial television. After the death of UK WBU founder, their organization became dormant, which causes all titles to vacated. This for all practical reasons was end of UK version the WBU.
In 2010, after realizing the were no legal remaining assets of UK based WBU and after period of years had passed of no activity the original company nor operating subsequent company for such brand, the German-based WBU brand was formed, registered, licensed, and launched under the leadership of Torsten Knille.
