Lonsdale Belt.

About Lonsdale Belt

The Lord Lonsdale Challenge Belt, commonly known as the Lonsdale Belt, is the oldest championship belt in British professional boxing. 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. Freddie Welsh earned the first Lonsdale Belt in 1909 after winning the NSC British Lightweight title. Under NSC rules, a champion who won three title bouts became the outright (permanent) owner of the belt; in 1999 the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) increased this requirement to four wins. Heavyweight Henry Cooper was the first and only boxer to win three Lonsdale Belts outright in a single weight division.