Lonsdale Belt

[1] The 5th Earl of Lonsdale introduced the prize on behalf of the National Sporting Club (NSC), intending it to be awarded to British boxing champions.

Arthur Frederick Bettinson, manager of the NSC, introduced terms and conditions regarding the holding of the belt, which ensured its lasting prestige.

Only six boxers have won two Lonsdale belts each outright since 1934, which led to the BBBofC introducing more stringent rules of attainment in the 1980s and 1990s.

The Lonsdale belt is a coveted prize with great monetary and sentimental value, finding homes in private collections and museums, and has been auctioned for large sums of money.

The main rules were: The first recipient of this belt was Freddie Welsh, who defeated Johnny Summers on 8 November 1909 for the NSC British Lightweight title.

Belts made from 1945 are composed of hallmarked silver and the laurel-leaf border has the thistle, daffodil and shamrock added to the extant rose to represent the four national flowers of the UK.

The BBBofC general secretary John Morris cited the rising costs of making the belts as the chief reason for the rule change.

According to a Eurosport report:[30]The Lonsdale belt won by Bombardier Billy Wells in 1911 is now kept at the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, London, and is not on display to the general public.

The first recorded in the media was Don Cockell's Lonsdale belt, which was stolen in 1952 from a glass cabinet at his home in London while he was out dancing.

[35] In 2007, after attending a training camp, Bobby Vanzie returned to his home to Bradford and discovered his belt had been stolen.

[37] The boxer's son, also named Pat, told the Liverpool Echo that since his father's death he has only had the belt out once to show his nine-year-old nephew Will.

His son Robert, managing director of Cardiff PR firm Petersens, told Wales Online: "It's the family's crown jewels, a magnificent looking piece of art.

This image depicts the Original Challenge belt design, as described in Origin.
The original Challenge Belt design presented by the National Sporting Club 1909–1929
This image depicts the second version of the lonsdale belt, as described in British Board of Boxing Control. It is being aloft by [[George Groves]] after a successful title defence.
George Groves displays the Lonsdale belt presented by the BBBofC. Picture is changed to a portrait of Lord Lonsdale, replacing the two boxers in the original version.
This is a Statue of Jim Driscoll, who is the first ever winner of the Lonsdale belt
A statue of Jim Driscoll , first ever winner of the Lonsdale Belt, in Cardiff
Pat O'Keeffe. The first middleweight to win the Lonsdale belt. 1918.
Pat O'Keeffe was the first middleweight to win the Lonsdale Belt, in 1918.
Henry Cooper in 1969. The only man to have ever won 3 lonsdale belts outright.
Henry Cooper is the only man to have ever won three Lonsdale Belts outright.
Lloyd Honeyghan. Went on to reign as the undisputed welterweight champion from 1986 to 1987; and held the WBC, Ring magazine and lineal welterweight titles twice between 1986 and 1989
Lloyd Honeyghan went on to reign as the undisputed welterweight champion from 1986 to 1987 and held the WBC, Ring magazine and lineal welterweight titles twice between 1986 and 1989.
Lennox Lewis. He went on to become a three-time world heavyweight champion, a two-time lineal champion, and remains the last heavyweight to hold the undisputed title.
Lennox Lewis went on to become a three-time world heavyweight champion, a two-time lineal champion, and remains the last heavyweight to hold the undisputed title.
Michael Gomez. Competed from 1995 to 2009. He was born to an Irish Traveller family in Longford, County Longford, Ireland
Michael Gomez competed from 1995 to 2009. He was born to an Irish Traveller family in Longford, County Longford, Ireland
Jamie Moore. Survived a murder attempt in Spain, 2014[1]
Jamie Moore survived a murder attempt in Spain in 2014 [ 39 ]
Carl Martin Froch, MBE is a British former professional boxer who competed from 2002 to 2014, and has since worked as a boxing analyst and commentator for Sky Sports.
Carl Froch competed from 2002 to 2014, and has since worked as a boxing analyst and commentator for Sky Sports.
Lee Selby. As of February 2019, Selby is ranked as the world's sixth best active lightweight by BoxRec.
As of February 2019, Lee Selby was ranked as the world's fourth best active lightweight by BoxRec. [ 40 ]