Lonsdale belt
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The Lonsdale Belt is the oldest championship belt in boxing and its origins started in London back in 1909. The belt is named after Lord Lonsdale who was patron of the National Sporting Club. The Earl of Lonsdale was a keen boxing fan who supported boxing for many years.
It was originally presented to the champion in each British weight division and the holder could keep the belt if it was won and then successfully defended twice. The belt was first won by Freddie Welsh in 1909 for winning the British lightweight title. Heavyweight Henry Cooper was the first person to win three Lonsdale Belts outright in his seventeen year professional career.
The belt is still won today, being awarded by the British Boxing Board of Control. In order for a boxer to keep the belt, he must win and defend it three times. The belt is crafted from gold and porcelain and is therefore very expensive to produce.
The original Lonsdale Belt is now kept at The Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, South East London, although it is not on display to the general public.
[edit] List of winners (partial)
- Fitz-simmons first winner
- Jim Driscoll
- Louis Ruddick
- Curley Walker
- Richard Enderby (circa 1935)
- Henry Cooper
- William Thomas Wells (known as 'Bombadier' Billy Wells) (1911)
- Scott Dann (2005)
- Junior Witter (2005)
- Charlie Magri
- Dave Boy Green
[edit] See also
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