Actually there were 3 Title Holders in 1979: Muhammad Ali announced his retirement on September 6, 1979 and the WBA title was declared vacant. John Tate then beat Gerrie Coetzee on October 20, 1979 to win the WBA Title. Larry Holmes was the WBC Champion during that time.
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Between 1952 and 1977 the following fighters were the World Heavyweight champions. Ro0cky Marciano. Sep 23,1952-Sep 21,1955. Floyd Patterson. Nov30,1956-Jun 26,1959. Ingemar Johansson. Jun 26,1959-Jun 20,1960. Floyd Patterson. Jun 20,1960-Sep 25,1962. Charles 'Sonny' Liston. Sep 25,1962-Feb 25,1964. Cassius Clay. Feb 25,1964-Apr 28,1967. Clay became Muhammad Ali following his first win over Sonny Liston. Ernie Terrell. Mar 5,1965-Feb 6,1967. WBA Title only.Ali was stripped of the title for signing for a return bout with Liston. Muhammad Ali. Feb 6,1967-Apr 28,1967. Undisputed Title Ali was stripped of the World title for refusing to accept service in the US Armed Forces on May 9,1967. Jimmy Ellis. Apr 27,1968-Feb 16,1970. WBA Title only. Joe Frazier. Mar 4,1968-Feb 16,1970. NY Title only Joe Frazier. Feb 16,1970-Jan 22,1973 Undisputed Title.Frazier won the title defeating Jimmy Ellis. George Foreman. Jan 22,1973-Oct 30,1974. Muhammad Ali. Oct 30,1974-Feb 15,1978.
There were 2 world heavyweight champions. Muhammad Ali gained the title in 1974. George Foreman had the title also in 1974 until Ali gained it.