Lonsdale Belt
The Lord Lonsdale Challenge Belt, commonly known as the Lonsdale Belt, is the oldest championship belt in British professional boxing.[1] Hugh Lowther, 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. Freddie Welsh earned the first Lonsdale Belt in 1909 after winning the NSC British Lightweight title. Heavyweight Henry Cooper was the first and only boxer to win three Lonsdale Belts. In 1929 the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) assumed responsibility for awarding the belt, which continues to be bestowed on British champions.
Lonsdale Belt | |
---|---|
Awarded for | British Boxing Champion |
Sponsored by | National Sporting Club, British Boxing Board of Control |
Country | United Kingdom |
Presented by | National Sporting Club (1909–1929) (1929–present) |
First awarded | 8 November 1909 |
Website | www |
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 last winner of two belts was Clinton McKenzie in 1987. 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. Belts have been stolen on numerous occasions, none of which have ever been found. Since 1909, only 161 boxers have won a Lonsdale belt outright across all weights. In 2013 the BBBofC in a move to acknowledge further the esteem held for outright Lonsdale belt winners introduced the Lonsdale Badge. Outright winners of the belt are now entitled to display this badge on their boxing shorts during bouts. In May 2023, Welsh boxer Lauren Price became the first female holder of the belt.
History
1909–1936: National Sporting Club
Lord Lonsdale was the first president of the National Sporting Club (NSC).[2] In 1909, he introduced the Lonsdale Belt—originally the Challenge Belt—as a new trophy for British boxing champions in each weight division.[3] A 9-carat or 22-carat gold belt composed of two heavy chains with a central enamel medallion depicting a boxing match, the centrepiece is flanked by enamel medallions showing single boxers and gold medallions with a scroll on which is inscribed the names of belt winners. The medallions are interspersed with smaller gold medallions depicting the Union Rose. The belts are backed with a red, white and blue ribbon.[4] The first belts were made in the Birmingham workshop of jewellers Mappin & Webb[5] The silversmiths and trophy makers Thomas Fattorini Ltd, were commissioned to make the belts in sterling silver in the early 1970s and have been making them since. The manufacturer and the date a belt was manufactured can be identified by the hallmark on the parts. Each portrait of Lord Lonsdale is uniquely hand painted in vitreous enamel.[6] A total of 22 Lonsdale belts were issued by the NSC; 20 were won outright.[3]
The manager of the NSC Arthur Frederick Bettinson published details about the terms and conditions of holding the belt agreed by the NSC in Sporting Life on 22 December 1909. The main rules were:
- The holder was required to defend his title within six months of a challenge. Minimum stake of £100 a side (£200 for heavyweights, £50 for flyweights)
- The belt became the holder's property after three successful bouts held under the auspices of the NSC, consecutive or otherwise, or after it was held for three consecutive years. Outright winners would also receive an NSC pension of £50 a year from the age of 50.
- The holder was required to pay a deposit and insurance for the belt.[7]
The first recipient of this belt was Freddie Welsh, who defeated Johnny Summers on 8 November 1909 for the NSC British Lightweight title.[8]
Champion | Reign began | Defeated | Weight class |
---|---|---|---|
Freddie Welsh | 8 November 1909 | Johnny Summers[9] | Lightweight |
Tom Thomas | 20 December 1909 | Charlie Wilson[10] | Middleweight |
Young Joseph | 21 March 1910 | Jack Goldswain[11] | Welterweight |
Jim Driscoll | 18 April 1910 | Spike Robson[12] | Featherweight |
Digger Stanley | 17 October 1910 | Joe Bowker[13] | Bantamweight |
Billy Wells | 24 April 1911 | Iron Hague[14] | Heavyweight |
Sid Smith | 4 December 1911 | Joe Wilson[15] | Flyweight |
Dick Smith | 9 March 1914 | Dennis Haugh[16] | Light-heavyweight |
1936–present: British Boxing Board of Control
The NSC became virtually defunct in 1929 and lost control of the sport to the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC), which started to issue the Lord Lonsdale Challenge Belt in 1936.[17] Lonsdale consented to the use of his name and image on the belt in perpetuity; an image of his face remains on it. In 1939 the last 9-carat gold belt was launched by the BBBofC[17] and won by the lightweight Eric Boon that year.[18] The last 9-carat gold belt was won outright by Henry Cooper in 1959. 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.[17] The belt was machine-made for a short time in the 1970s before the BBBofC decided to have it hand-made again, passing the contract to Thomas Fattorini Ltd, who continue to make the belts as of 2019. Each belt costs £14,000.[17]
Champion | Reign Began | Defeated | Weight class |
---|---|---|---|
Benny Lynch | 16 September 1936 | Pat Palmer[19] | Flyweight |
Johnny McGrory | 24 September 1936 | Nel Tarleton[20] | Featherweight |
Jimmy Walsh | 19 October 1936 | Harry Mizler[21] | Lightweight |
Jock McAvoy | 27 April 1937 | Eddie Phillips[22] | Light-heavyweight |
Johnny King | 31 May 1937 | Jackie Brown[23] | Bantamweight |
Tommy Farr | 15 March 1937 | Ben Foord[9] | Heavyweight |
Jock McAvoy | 25 October 1937 | Jack Hyams[22] | Middleweight |
Jake Kilrain | 21 February 1938 | Jack Lord[24] | Welterweight |
Female champion
On 6 May 2023, Welsh boxer Lauren Price became the first ever female British champion, by defeating Kirstie Bavington by unanimous points victory.[25]
Changes
In 1987, the BBBofC decided to award only one belt to any boxer in each division. A boxer can, however, win belts outright in different weight classes.[26]
On 1 September 1999 the BBBofC changed the criteria for winning a belt outright; boxers must now win four—rather than three—championship contests in the same weight division. The rule also stipulates that one of the four wins must be a mandatory contest. The BBBofC general secretary John Morris cited the rising costs of making the belts as the chief reason for the rule change.[27]
The BBBofC introduced the Lonsdale Badge in 2013; it is worn by outright winners. According to a Eurosport report:[28]
Donations and auctions
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.[29] Johnny Brown's Lonsdale Belt was donated to the Museum of London in 2010.[30] In November 2000 the belt awarded to Randy Turpin in 1956 was auctioned for £23,000 while in September 2011, the belt won by the welterweight Jack Hood in 1926 fetched £36,000. Hood, who died in 1992, had displayed his belt above the bar at the Bell public house, of which he was the licensee, in Tanworth-in-Arden .[31]
In 1993, Henry Cooper sold all three of his belts for £42,000 after losing heavily on the Lloyd's insurance market.[32] One of the belts—the last one made of gold—was sold for £22,000. The others sold for £10,000 each. Cooper was expecting £70,000 for the sale but was content they were all sold together.[32]
Theft
The belts have attracted targeted theft over the years. 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. He did not own the £15,000 belt at the time, needing one more victory.[33] In 2007, after attending a training camp, Bobby Vanzie returned to his home to Bradford and discovered his belt had been stolen. Tara promoter Jack Doughty said in the Manchester Evening News: "This is the best belt a boxer can win. It is better than those for world title fights, gold plated with a portrait of Lord Lonsdale in the middle."[34]
Pat McAteer's belt was stolen from his son's home at Annapolis, Maryland, in 2012.[35] 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. "Will was like ‘wow’ when he saw ‘Pop Pop’s’ belt. He was going to inherit the belt from me and he was to pass it to his son and so on, so it would stay in the McAteer family."[35] Jack Petersen's Lonsdale belt was stolen from his son's home in Burnham, Buckinghamshire in 2013. 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. It would be a terrible shame if it was melted down."[36]
Current holders of the BBBofC Lonsdale Belt
Champion | Reign began | Defeated | Weight class |
---|---|---|---|
Jay Harris | 5 May 2023 | Tommy Frank | Flyweight |
Marcel Braithwaite | 20 October 2023 | Ijaz Ahmed | Super flyweight |
Sean McGoldrick | 10 February 2023 | Scott Allan | Bantamweight |
Liam Davies | 11 June 2022 | Marc Leach | Super bantamweight |
Nathaniel Collins | 10 March 2023 | James Beech Jnr | Featherweight |
Liam Dillon | 15 July 2023 | Qais Ashfaq | Super featherweight |
Gavin Gwynne | 15 April 2022 | Luke Willis | Lightweight |
Dalton Smith | 6 August 2022 | Sam O’Maison | Super lightweight |
Ekow Essuman | 24 July 2021 | Chris Jenkins | Welterweight |
Samuel Antwi | 1 September 2023 | Mason Cartwright | Super welterweight |
Denzel Bentley | 13 May 2022 | Linus Udofia | Middleweight |
Jack Cullen | 2 September 2023 | Mark Heffron | Super middleweight |
Dan Azeez | 20 November 2021 | Hosea Burton | Light heavyweight |
Isaac Chamberlain | 21 October 2023 | Mikael Lawal | Cruiserweight |
Fabio Wardley | 26 November 2022 | Nathan Gorman | Heavyweight |
Lauren Price | 6 May 2023 | Kirstie Bavington | Welterweight |
Outright winners of Lonsdale belt
Key
*** | Outright winner of 3 belts |
** | Outright winner of 2 belts |
Champion | Weight class | Year achieved |
---|---|---|
Jim Driscoll | Featherweight | 1910[39] |
Digger Stanley | Bantamweight | 1912[40] |
Freddie Welsh | Lightweight | 1912[41] |
Bombardier Billy Wells | Heavyweight | 1913[42] |
Johnny Basham | Welterweight | 1915[43] |
Joe Fox | Bantamweight | 1917[44] |
Jimmy Wilde | Flyweight | 1917[45] |
Tancy Lee | Featherweight | 1917[46] |
Dick Smith | Light-heavyweight | 1918[47] |
Pat O'Keeffe | Middleweight | 1918[48] |
Jim Higgins | Bantamweight | 1921[49] |
Johnny Brown | Bantamweight | 1925[50] |
Jack Hood | Welterweight | 1926[51] |
Len Harvey | Middleweight | 1930[52] |
Johnny Cuthbert | Featherweight | 1930[53] |
Jackie Brown | Flyweight | 1932[53] |
Dick Corbett | Bantamweight | 1934[54] |
Nel Tarleton** | Featherweight | 1934[55] |
Jock McAvoy | Middleweight | 1935[53] |
Jack Petersen | Heavyweight | 1935[56] |
Johnny King | Bantamweight | 1937[53] |
Eric Boon | Lightweight | 1939[57] |
Ernie Roderick | Welterweight | 1941[58] |
Jackie Paterson | Flyweight | 1943[59] |
Nel Tarleton** | Featherweight | 1945[60] |
Billy Thompson | Lightweight | 1950[61] |
Ronnie Clayton** | Featherweight | 1950[62] |
Peter Keenan** | Bantamweight | 1951[63] |
Ronnie Clayton** | Featherweight | 1953[64] |
Terry Allen | Flyweight | 1953[65] |
Wally Thom | Welterweight | 1954[66] |
Randolph Turpin | Light-heavyweight | 1956[67] |
Joe Lucy | Lightweight | 1956[68] |
Peter Keenan** | Bantamweight | 1957[69] |
Pat McAteer | Middleweight | 1957[70] |
Charlie Hill | Featherweight | 1958[71] |
Terry Downes | Middleweight | 1960[72] |
Brian Curvis** | Welterweight | 1961[73] |
Henry Cooper *** | Heavyweight | 1961[74] |
Freddie Gilroy | Bantamweight | 1962[75] |
Howard Winstone** | Featherweight | 1962[76] |
Howard Winstone** | Featherweight | 1963[77] |
Chic Calderwood | Light-heavyweight | 1963[78] |
Brian Curvis** | Welterweight | 1964[79] |
Henry Cooper *** | Heavyweight | 1964[80] |
Walter McGowan | Flyweight | 1966[81] |
Maurice Cullen | Lightweight | 1966[82] |
Henry Cooper *** | Heavyweight | 1967[29] |
Johnny Pritchett | Middleweight | 1967[83] |
Alan Rudkin | Bantamweight | 1969[84] |
Jimmy Anderson | Super-featherweight | 1969[85] |
Ralph Charles | Welterweight | 1971[86] |
Ken Buchanan | Lightweight | 1973[87] |
John McCluskey | Flyweight | 1974[88] |
Evan Armstrong | Featherweight | 1974[89] |
Chris Finnegan | Light-heavyweight | 1975[90] |
Joey Singleton | Super-lightweight | 1975[91] |
Alan Minter | Middleweight | 1976[92] |
Maurice Hope | Super-welterweight | 1976[93] |
Jim Watt | Lightweight | 1977[94] |
Jimmy Batten | Super-welterweight | 1978[95] |
Bunny Johnson | Light-heavyweight | 1979[96] |
Colin Powers | Super-lightweight | 1979[97] |
Johnny Owen | Bantamweight | 1979[98] |
Pat Thomas | Super-welterweight | 1979[99] |
Kevin Finnegan | Middleweight | 1979[100] |
Clinton McKenzie** | Light-welterweight | 1979[101] |
Pat Cowdell | Featherweight | 1980[102] |
Roy Gumbs | Middleweight | 1982[103] |
Tom Collins | Light-heavyweight | 1983[104] |
Dennis Andries | Light-heavyweight | 1984[105] |
George Feeney | Lightweight | 1984[106] |
Hugh Russell | Bantamweight | 1985[107] |
Cohn Jones | Welterweight | 1985[108] |
Lloyd Honeyghan | Welterweight | 1985[109] |
Prince Rodney | Super-welterweight | 1985[110] |
Tony Willis | Lightweight | 1986[111] |
Robert Dickie | Featherweight | 1986[112] |
Clinton McKenzie** | Light-welterweight | 1987[113] |
Kirkland Laing | Welterweight | 1987[114] |
Lloyd Christie | Super-lightweight | 1987[115] |
Charlie Magri | Flyweight | 1987[116] |
Tony Sibson | Middleweight | 1987[117] |
Horace Notice | Heavyweight | 1987[118] |
Herol Graham | Middleweight | 1988[119] |
Tony Wilson | Light-heavyweight | 1989[120] |
Pat Clinton | Flyweight | 1989[121] |
Billy Hardy | Bantamweight | 1989[122] |
Paul Hodkinson | Featherweight | 1989[123] |
Johnny Nelson | Cruiserweight | 1990[124] |
Colin McMillan | Featherweight | 1991[125] |
John Doherty | Super-featherweight | 1991[126] |
Carl Crook | Lightweight | 1991[127] |
Andy Holligan | Super-lightweight | 1992[115] |
Robbie Regan | Flyweight | 1992[128] |
Lennox Lewis | Heavyweight | 1992[129] |
Andy Till | Super-welterweight | 1993[130] |
Crawford Ashley | Light-heavyweight | 1994[131] |
Sean Murphy | Featherweight | 1993[132] |
Neville Brown | Middleweight | 1994[133] |
Drew Docherty | Bantamweight | 1994[134] |
Francis Ampofo | Flyweight | 1994[135] |
Billy Schwer | Lightweight | 1994[136] |
Robert McCracken | Super-welterweight | 1995[137] |
Ross Hale | Super-lightweight | 1995[138] |
Sam Storey | Super-middleweight | 1995[139] |
Delroy Bryan | Welterweight | 1995[140] |
Michael Ayers | Lightweight | 1995[141] |
Floyd Hazard | Super-featherweight | 1995[142] |
Terry Dunstan | Cruiserweight | 1996[143] |
Richie Wenton | Super-bantamweight | 1996[144] |
Ryan Rhodes | Super-welterweight | 1997[145] |
Paul Ingle | Featherweight | 1997[146] |
Ady Lewis | Flyweight | 1997[147] |
Ryan Rhodes | Welterweight | 1997[148] |
Geoff McCreesh | Welterweight | 1998[149] |
Jon Jo Irwin | Featherweight | 1998[150] |
Charles Shepherd | Super-featherweight | 1998[151] |
Michael Brodie | Super-bantamweight | 1998[152] |
David Starie | Super-middleweight | 1999[153] |
Ensley Bingham | Super-welterweight | 1999[154] |
Derek Roche | Welterweight | 1999[155] |
Julius Francis | Heavyweight | 1999[156] |
Michael Gomez | Super-featherweight | 2000[157] |
Bobby Vanzie | Lightweight | 2000[158] |
Bruce Scott | Cruiserweight | 2001[159] |
Nicky Booth | Bantamweight | 2001[160] |
Michael Alldis | Super-bantamweight | 2002[161] |
Danny Williams | Heavyweight | 2002[162] |
Howard Eastman | Middleweight | 2003[163] |
Neil Sinclair | Welterweight | 2003[164] |
Mark Hobson | Cruiserweight | 2004[165] |
David Barnes | Welterweight | 2004[166] |
Dazzo Williams | Featherweight | 2004[167] |
Jamie Moore | Super-welterweight | 2005[168] |
Junior Witter | Super-lightweight | 2005[169] |
Michael Hunter | Super-bantamweight | 2005[170] |
Matt Skelton | Heavyweight | 2005[171] |
Scott Dann | Middleweight | 2005[172] |
Alex Arthur | Super-featherweight | 2005[173] |
Graham Earl | Lightweight | 2005[174] |
Carl Froch | Super-middleweight | 2006[175] |
Carl Johanneson | Super-featherweight | 2007[176] |
Ian Napa | Bantamweight | 2008[177] |
Kell Brook | Welterweight | 2009[178] |
Jason Booth | Super-bantamweight | 2009[179] |
John Murray | Lightweight | 2010[180] |
John Simpson | Featherweight | 2010[181] |
Stuart Hall | Bantamweight | 2011[182] |
Brian Rose | Super-welterweight | 2012[183] |
Lee Selby | Featherweight | 2013[184] |
Frankie Gavin | Welterweight | 2013[185] |
Billy Joe Saunders | Middleweight | 2013[186] |
Jon-Lewis Dickinson | Cruiserweight | 2014[187] |
Bradley Skeete | Welterweight | 2016[188] |
Martin J. Ward | Super-featherweight | 2017[189] |
Ryan Walsh | Featherweight | 2017[190] |
Lewis Ritson | Lightweight | 2018[191] |
Kash Farooq | Bantamweight | 2019[192] |
Brad Foster | Super-bantamweight | 2020[193] |
Ekow Essuman | Welterweight | 2022[194] |
Dalton Smith | Super-lightweight | 2023[195] |
See also
Bibliography
References
- Holland, Gary (9 April 2008). "History of London Boxing". BBC News. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
- Horrall, Andrew (2001). Popular Culture in London C.1890–1918: The Transformation of Entertainment. Manchester University Press. p. 124. ISBN 978-0719057830.
- Harding, John. "The Lord Lonsdale Challenge Belt". BBBofC.com. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
- Antiques Trade Gazette, 1 October 2011, page 22
- Harding, John (2016). Lonsdale's Belt: Boxing's Most Coveted Prize. Pitch Publishing. p. 30. ISBN 978-1785312540.
- Gregory Fattorini, Thomas Fattorini Ltd.
- "Conditions of which lord lonsdale trophies are held". Sporting Life. 22 December 1909. Retrieved 4 March 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- "Fred Welsh beats Summers". Hereford Times. 13 November 1909. Retrieved 4 March 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- "Welsh History Month: The Lonsdale Belt". Wales Online. 23 May 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
- "Tom Thomas v Charlie Wilson". BoxRec. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
- Diegle, C.R. (1924). Ring Battles of Centuries. University of Minnesota: Tom Andrews Record Book Company. p. 56.
- Anon (2013). Clashes of the Boxing Greats - Accounts of the Contests at the Beginning of the 20th Century - Boxers Included are James Corbett, John L. Sullivan, Jack Johnson, James J. Jefferies, Georges Carpentier and many more. Read Books Ltd. p. 80. ISBN 978-1473380554.
- "Digger Stanley v Joe Bowker". BoxRec. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
- "Top 10 British heavyweight boxers of all time". The Daily Telegraph. 8 April 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
- Silver, Mike (2016). Stars in the Ring: Jewish Champions in the Golden Age of Boxing: A Photographic History. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 87. ISBN 978-1630761400.
- Carpenter, Harry (1982). Boxing, an Illustrated History. Crescent Books. p. 50. ISBN 978-0517378557.
- Harding, John (2016). "30". Lonsdale's Belt: Boxing's Most Coveted Prize. Pitch Publishing. ISBN 978-1785312540.
- "Playboy, womaniser and boxing legend: Book tells 'warts and all' story of Chatteris hero Eric Boon". Ely Standard. 5 July 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
- "Benny Lynch v Pat Palmer". BoxRec. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
- "Johnny McGrory". HeraldScotland. 26 September 1998. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
- Odd, Gilbert E. (1989). Encyclopedia of Boxing. Book Sales. p. 153. ISBN 978-1555213954.
- Templeton, Miles. "Jock McAvoy (Rochdale)" (PDF). BoxingHistory.org.uk. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
- Brennan, Stuart (18 April 2010). "Derby Destroyers". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
- "Jake Kilrain (Bellshill)" (PDF). BoxingHistory.org.uk. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
- "Price beats Bavington in historic British title fight". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
- Harding, John (2016). Lonsdale's Belt: Boxing's Most Coveted Prize. Pitch Publishing. pp. 300, 301. ISBN 978-1785312540.
- "Lonsdale takes it on the chin". The Herald. 8 June 1999. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- "Rose proud to be first bearer of 'Lonsdale Badge'". Eurosport. 18 April 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
- Holland, Gary (5 December 2007). "The Lonsdale Belt". BBC London. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
- "Lonsdale Belt at Museum of London". Ilford Recorder. 18 October 2010. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
- Antiques Trade Gazette, 1 October 2011, loc.cit.
- "Cooper sells Lonsdale Belts to finance Lloyd's losses". The Independent. 12 July 1993. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
- "Lonsdale Belt Stolen". Cairns Post. 10 April 1952. Retrieved 1 April 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
- "Vanzie robbed of belt". Manchester Evening News. 13 August 2007. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
- Jaleel, Gemma (10 March 2012). "Birkenhead boxing legend Pat McAteer's Lonsdale belt stolen in burglary". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
- Law, Peter (24 May 2013). "Family plead for return of champion boxer Jack Petersen's stolen Lonsdale belt". Wales Online. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
- McCurry, Kate (7 September 2017). "True fighter: Carl Frampton's new trainer Jamie Moore survived gun attack". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
- "BoxRec: Ratings". BoxRec. 12 May 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
- Anon (2013). Clashes of the Boxing Greats – Accounts of the Contests at the Beginning of the 20th Century – Boxers Included are James Corbett, John L. Sullivan, Jack Johnson, James J. Jefferies, Georges Carpentier and many more. Read Books Ltd. p. 84. ISBN 978-1473380554.
- "Digger Stanley". BoxRec. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Twenty-round Fight. Matt Wells Lightweight Champion Of Great Britain". Montreal Gazette. 28 February 1911. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
Matt Wells won a twenty round fight tonight from Fred Welsh for the lightweight championship of great Britain and the Lonsdale belt The ...
- "Bombardier Billy Wells". BoxRec. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- Grice, Natalie (19 June 2013). "Boxing champion Johnny Basham's Lonsdale belt auctioned". BBC News. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
- "Joe Fox vs Joe Symonds". BoxRec. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
- "Jimmy Wilde". BoxRec. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Tancy Lee v Joe Conn". BoxRec. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
- "Dick Smith v Joe Beckett". BoxRec. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
- "Veterans Lonsdale Belt". the Sportsman. 29 January 1918. Retrieved 1 March 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- "Walter McGowan wins flyweight world title 1966". BBC.co.uk. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- Daley, Alex (14 December 2017). "Browns Belt". Retrieved 2 April 2018 – via PressReader.
- "Fellows Auction Jack Hood's Lonsdale Belt". fellows.co.uk. 10 August 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Len Harvey v Steve McCall". BoxRec. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
- Harding, John (2016). Lonsdale's Belt: Boxing's Most Coveted Prize. Pitch Publishing. p. 374. ISBN 978-1785312540.
- Daley, Alex (18 January 2018). "Corbett Remembered". Press Reader. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
- "Nel Tarleton v Dave Crowley". BoxRec. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- "Jack Petersen". BoxRec. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Eric Boon v Dave Crowley". BoxRec. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
- Evans, Glynn (2 June 2016). "The best 5 Scouse scrappers". BoxNation. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Jackie Paterson: World Champion 1943". BBC News. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Clinton McKenzie". BoxRec. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
- "Billy Thompson v Tommy McGovern". BoxRec. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
- "Jim Kenny v Ronnie Clayton". BoxRec. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- "Peter Keenan v Luis Romero". BoxRec. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- "Ronnie Clayton". BoxRec. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
- "Eric Marsden v Terry Allen". BoxRec. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- "Lew Lazar v Wally Thom". BoxRec. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
- "Randaph Turpin – Footage from his bar in Wales (Video)". Britishboxer.co.uk. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Joe Lucy v Frank Johnson". BoxRec. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
- Lewis, Mike (1 August 2000). "Peter Keenan". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
- "Martin Hansen v Pat McAteer". BoxRec. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
- "Boxing News magazine 2.8.1985 Download pdf". TheBoxingNewz.co.uk. 2 August 1985. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Phil Edwards v Terry Downes". BoxRec. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
- "Brian Curvis v Mick Leahy". BoxRec. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- "Henry Cooper v Joe Erskine". BoxRec. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- "Olympics boxing hero lauded for fight with one of his best pals". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 29 June 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- "Howard Winstone v Harry Carroll". BoxRec. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- Bunce, Steve (1 October 2000). "Howard master of ring craft". The Independent. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
- "Chic Calderwood v Ron Redrup". BoxRec. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- Woolford, Anthony (8 December 2015). "The man who beat Mark Spitz, a B&B owner and a convicted Tax scammer... the forgotten winners of BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year". Wales Online. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
- "Henry Cooper v Brian London". BoxRec. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- "Walter McGowan wins flyweight world title 1966". BBC News. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- Horsley, Richy (2008). Born to Fight – The True Story of Richy 'Crazy Horse' Horsley. John Blake Publishing. p. 285. ISBN 978-1782192565.
- "Johnny Pritchett v Wally Swift". BoxRec. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
- "Alan Rudkin". The Telegraph. 21 November 2010. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- "Colin Lake v Jimmy Anderson". BoxRec. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- "Ralph Charles v Bernie Terrell". BoxRec. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
- "Jim Watt v Ken Buchanan". BoxRec. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
- Naysmith, Stepen (22 July 2015). "John McCluskey". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- "Evan Armstrong v Alan Richardson". BoxRec. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- "Chris Finnegan v Johnny Frankham". BoxRec. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- "Des Morrison v Joey Singleton". BoxRec. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
- Selleck, Ken (29 December 2010). "Hackney's boxing World Champion Maurice Hope returns to borough". HackneyGazette.co.uk. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Maurice Hope v Tony Poole". BoxRec. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
- "Jim Watt v Johnny Claydon". BoxRec. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
- "Jimmy Batten v Tony Poole". BoxRec. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
- "Bunny Johnson v Rab Affleck". BoxRec. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- "Clinton McKenzie v Colin Powers". BoxRec. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
- "Owen loses fight for life". ESPN. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- "Pat Thomas v Jimmy Batten". BoxRec. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
- "Tony Sibson v Kevin Finnegan". BoxRec. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- "Clinton McKenzie v Colin Powers". BoxRec. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- "Pat Cowdell v Dave Needham". BoxRec. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- "Glen McEwan v Roy Gumbs". BoxRec. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- "Tom Collins v Antonio Harris". BoxRec. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- "Dennis Andries v Devon Bailey". BoxRec. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- "Standing on the shoulders of giants: The fight that brought boxing back to the scene of Gilroy-Caldwell war". The Irish News. 22 March 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Hugh Russell: "A Snapshot of Greatness"". Irelands Eye. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- Harding, John (2016). Lonsdale's Belt: Boxing's Most Coveted Prize. pitch Publishing. p. 308. ISBN 9781785312540.
- "Lloyd Honeyghan v Sylvester Mittee". BoxRec. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
- "Prince Rodney v Mick Courtney". BoxRec. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
- "Tony Willis v Steve Boyle". BoxRec. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
- "John Feeney v Robert Dickie". BoxRec.
- "McCloskey's now ready to take on the very best". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 20 December 2008. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
- "Kirkland Laing v Rocky Kelly". BoxRec. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
- "Lloyd Christie v Chris Blake". BoxRec. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- Harding, John (2016). Lonsdale's Belt: Boxing's Most Coveted Prize. Pitch Publishing. p. 192. ISBN 978-1785312540.
- "Tony Sibson v Brian Anderson". BoxRec. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- "Horace Notice v Paul Lister". BoxRec. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- "Herol Graham v Johnny Melfah". BoxRec. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- "Tony Wilson v Brian Schumacher". BoxRec. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- "Pat Clinton v David Afan Jones". BoxRec. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- Smith, Adam (20 October 2017). "Sunderland boxing legend Billy Hardy on Josh Kelly's world champion chances". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- Shannon, Paddy (22 November 2014). "In pictures: Liverpool's boxing greats remembered including John Conteh, Johnny Cook and Paul Hodkinson". liverpool echo. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- "Johnny Nelson v Lou Gent". BoxRec. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- Zanon, Paul (17 July 2017). "Sweet night for Sweet C: Colin McMillan interview". Boxing Monthly. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- "Sugar Gibiliru v John Doherty". BoxRec. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- "Carl Crook v Najib Daho". BoxRec. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
- "Robbie Regan on dramatic career "I should have been setting myself up for life not retiring"". Live Fight. 20 November 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Maloney: Price can eclipse Lennox Lewis". ESPN. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Andy Till v Wally Swift Jr". BoxRec. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
- "Crawford Ashley v Nicky Piper". BoxRec. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- "Sean Murphy v Alan McKay". BoxRec. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- "Neville Brown v Antonio Fernandez". BoxRec. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- "Docherty up among the greats". Herald Scotland. 1 May 1999. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- "Ampofo moves into the big time; boxing". The Telegraph. 1 April 2000. Retrieved 27 April 2018 – via The Free Library.
- "Billy Schwer v Sean Murphy". BoxRec. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
- "Robert McCracken v Paul Wesley". BoxRec. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
- "Malcolm Melvin v Ross Hale". BoxRec. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- "Boxing News magazine 5.5.1995 Download pdf". The Boxing News. 5 May 1995. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
- "George Hennon lists his top 10 all-time British welterweight champions". British Boxing News. 29 September 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "M Ayers VS W Rigby Video". British Boxers. 28 January 2001. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
- Blanche, Phill (6 October 2013). "Boxing: Lee Selby plans set up after claiming Londsdale belt". WalesOnline. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
- "John Keeton v Terry Dunstan". BoxRec. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- "WBF Welcomes R Wenton". WBF. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Ryan Rhodes v Del Bryan". BoxRec. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
- "Irwin wants Ingle fight". Irish Times. 11 May 1998. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- "Ady Lewis v Peter Culshaw". BoxRec. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- Mullan, Harry (19 April 1997). "Boxing: From Spice Boy to man of the world". The Independent. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Geoff McCreesh v Michael Smyth". BoxRec. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
- "Jon Jo Irwin v Esham Pickering". BoxRec. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- "Bid for boxing crown slips". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 9 May 1998. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
- "Michael Brodie v Brian Carr". BoxRec. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- "David Starie v Mark Baker". BoxRec. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- "'Bingo' The Bingham". BritishBoxers.co.uk. 26 October 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
- "Derek Roche v Scott Dixon". BoxRec. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
- "Boxing Champion Julius Francis Makes Acting Debut in Intermission Youth Theatre's Ring Of Envy, Oct 25". Braodway World. 20 September 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Gomez stuns Arthur". BBC Sport. 25 October 2003. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Vanzie rides wall of hate to keep title". Telegraph and Argus. 22 February 2000. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Bruce Scott v Garry Delaney". BoxRec. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- "Nicky Booth v Jim Betts". BoxRec. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- Harding, John (2016). Lonsdale's Belt: Boxing's Most Coveted Prize. Pitch Publishing. p. 322. ISBN 978-1785312540.
- "Danny Williams". BoxBiba. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Howard Eastman v Scott Dann". BoxRec. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- Mee, Bob (3 February 2003). "Boxing: Sluggish Sinclair left in two minds". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Mark Hobson v Bruce Scott". BoxRec. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- "Barnes stops Hare to keep title". BBC Sport. 12 November 2004. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Dazzo Williams v Roy Rutherford". BoxRec.
- "Jamie Moore v Michael Jones". BoxRec. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
- "Witter wins Lonsdale belt early". BBC Sport. 6 May 2005. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- Kelly, Roy (13 September 2017). "Tommy Ward inspired to win British title for trainer Fannan". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- Davies, Gareth A. (22 October 2012). "David Price to defend British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles against Matt Skelton". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Final bell for Scott". BBC Sport. 30 March 2007. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Alex Arthur v Craig Docherty". BoxRec. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
- "Earl shows heart to beat Bennett". BBC Sport. 19 June 2005. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
- Davies, Gareth A (10 November 2007). "Carl Froch adds to run with Robin Reid scalp". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Johanneson Retains In Six Brutal rounds". EuroSport. 20 October 2007. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
- "British title chance for Ian Napa". The Docklands and East London Advertiser. 5 October 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- Westerdale, Bob (20 July 2017). "The day Kell Brook made the British belt his own". The Star. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Jason Booth v Michael Hunter". BoxRec. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- "John Murray: 'I thought I was going to die'". Boxing News Online. 26 July 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- Kelly, David (16 September 2010). "John Simpson upsets Martin Lindsay to win British featherweight title". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- Johns, Craig (24 October 2014). "Stuart Hall: Five facts you should know about the Darlington boxer ahead of his title fight". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Brian Rose 'honoured' to wear Lonsdale badge against Joachim Alcine". Sky Sports. 21 April 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "The British and European titles are on the line when Lee Selby takes on Rendall Munroe". Sky Sports. 18 December 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Boxing: Frankie Gavin vows to 'tear' European title from Bundu". BBC Sport. 31 July 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Billy Joe bags Brit belt for keeps as Chisora crowned Euro king at the Copper Box". Islington Gazette. 26 September 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
- Rayner, Stuart (14 January 2015). "Growing stable gives North East boxers a Fighting Chance". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
- Brown, Shaun (6 February 2018). "The next level: Bradley Skeete interview". Boxing Monthly. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
- Whaley, Len (19 July 2017). "Boxing: Martin J. Ward celebrates winning British super featherweight title outright with family". Barking and Dagenham Post. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
- "Ryan Walsh stops Marco McCullough | 360 Virtual Reality Boxing BT Sport". BT Sport. 20 May 2017. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- "Lewis Ritson beats Paul Hyland Jr in first round to win British lightweight title outright". BBC Sport. 16 June 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
- "Kash Farooq Makes History, Keeps British Bantamweight Title".
- "Brad Foster wins Lonsdale belt outright, goes for a boogie". 13 July 2020.
- "Cacace beats Magnesi, Nathan Heaney suffers horror cut in victory". worldboxingnews.net. 24 September 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
- "Boxing: Sheffield's Dalton Smith impresses world champion with his character traits". thestar.co.uk. 3 July 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
Video
External links
- "Boxrec.com – Lonsdale Belt article"
- "Bbc.co.uk – Lonsdale Belt article"
- "Bbbofc.com – The Lord Lonsdale Challenge Belt".