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warshawlawLet's start with the background: at the time these folks were active there were three divisions: light, middle and heavyweight. Also, there was a divergence in rules between the London Prize Ring and the Marquis of Queensbury. Also, with the distances between the US and UK, there wasn't really a "world" champion but there were champions from each area who would on occasion slug it out.
Jake Kilrain at his peak was a fireplug of 5'10" and 230#. His most notable fight was the 1889 heavyweight championship bout between Jake Kilrain and John L. Sullivan. Again, a little background: There was no organized commission or sport awarding belts. Paddy Ryan was generally acknowledged as the US champ when Sullivan demolished him and took over. For several years Sullivan was recognized as the man. Kilrain was championed by Richard K. Fox, the publisher of the Police Gazette, who hated Sullivan. Fox put up a belt and had Kilrain challenge Sullivan in 1887. When JLS refused because they couldn't come to terms, Fox crowned Kilrain champ, but no one bought it. On July 8, 1889 they finally rumbled in New Orleans, Sullivan winning the 75-rounder. The only reason it went 75 rounds is that Kilrain ran away more than the knights in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Jem Smith was champion of England for a time. He rumbled with Kilrain for 106 rounds, to a draw. By 1889, having had his can kicked successively by Peter Jackson and Frank Slavin, he retired. Since Kilrain and Smith draw and Sullivan demolished Kilrain, you have some idea of where Smith stood in the heirarchy.
Charlie Mitchell was another English champ. He fought with Sullivan to a 39-round draw in 1888. Mitchell then went with Jim Corbett in 1894 in Florida, but got his butt kicked in 3 rounds.
Jack "Nonpariel" Dempsey was middleweight champ during the 3-division period, holding that title from 1884-1891. Bob Fitzsimmons KO'd him in 13 rounds to take the crown. Fitz went on to become the first fighter to hold two titles at the same time when he beat Corbett for the heavyweight title.