BoxRec

I often wonder this...I tried googling early title belts & found nothing.

No one seems to give any thought to the actual belt itself....any idea who was the first champion to recieve an actual title belt? Any links to it's history?

I'd be very interested in reading about it.

And for how long was it just a singular title belt?

Just for clarification I'm not talking about organizations like WBC, I'm referring to the actual belt itself. I can't find much info on this subject.

'The first ever belt that was given as a trophy for accomplishments within the ring was presented by King George III in 1810 to Tom Cribb'

https://belthatch.com/history-of-boxing ... hip-belts/

"Fox also popularized the presentation of title belts. Prior to the July 8, 1889 fight between Sullivan and Jake Kilrain, another bout he backed, Fox presented Kilrain with a lavish belt made from 200 ounces of solid silver and decorated with diamond-studs and gold ornaments. In the name of the Police Gazette, he issued belts to champions in various weight classes."
http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/induct ... t/fox.html

In retaltiation to Fox giving the belt to Kilrain, Sullivans supporters created this belt for him.
https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/nmah_681093

Great thread !

p4p1 wrote: ↑25 Jan 2024, 01:59 'The first ever belt that was given as a trophy for accomplishments within the ring was presented by King George III in 1810 to Tom Cribb'

https://belthatch.com/history-of-boxing ... hip-belts/

"Fox also popularized the presentation of title belts. Prior to the July 8, 1889 fight between Sullivan and Jake Kilrain, another bout he backed, Fox presented Kilrain with a lavish belt made from 200 ounces of solid silver and decorated with diamond-studs and gold ornaments. In the name of the Police Gazette, he issued belts to champions in various weight classes."
http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/induct ... t/fox.html

In retaltiation to Fox giving the belt to Kilrain, Sullivans supporters created this belt for him.
https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/nmah_681093

Interesting fact about Tom Cribb. I didn't know that one myself.

The Police Gazette title belts were the first ones to be given out with regularity right?

gilgamesh wrote: ↑27 Jan 2024, 02:16

p4p1 wrote: ↑25 Jan 2024, 01:59 'The first ever belt that was given as a trophy for accomplishments within the ring was presented by King George III in 1810 to Tom Cribb'

https://belthatch.com/history-of-boxing ... hip-belts/

"Fox also popularized the presentation of title belts. Prior to the July 8, 1889 fight between Sullivan and Jake Kilrain, another bout he backed, Fox presented Kilrain with a lavish belt made from 200 ounces of solid silver and decorated with diamond-studs and gold ornaments. In the name of the Police Gazette, he issued belts to champions in various weight classes."
http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/induct ... t/fox.html

In retaltiation to Fox giving the belt to Kilrain, Sullivans supporters created this belt for him.
https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/nmah_681093

Interesting fact about Tom Cribb. I didn't know that one myself.

The Police Gazette title belts were the first ones to be given out with regularity right?

Sounds like it.
I couldn’t find anything to dispute it.

Any more info on the claim George iii presented a belt to Cribb?
This seems odd?

George the fourth as Prince and Regent was the prizefighting fan.
The King George iii probably wouldn't have been too involved especially as it was an illegal activity in England. Not that the law or basic morals mattered to the degenerate Hanoverians.

We know that the regent was a fan of the sport in his rebellious years but im surprised that there are claims George iii was.

Pierce Egan records a silver cup being presented by the fancy, the names of those present are meticulously listed. These, I would suggest, wouldn't have been events attended or patronised by the King.