10 Most Beautiful Championship Belt Designs In Boxing History, Ranked

Highlights

• Boxing’s distinctive championship belts are sought after prizes that symbolize achievement and dedication in the sport.
• Different sanctioning bodies oversee championship belts with unique designs, like the eagle wings on the Global Boxing Council belt.
• The Lonsdale Belt, made from silver and gold, is a prestigious honor given to Britain’s top boxers, each with a unique historical significance.

For many boxing enthusiasts, navigating the various sanctioning bodies can be a daunting task. With multiple organizations overseeing different weight classes and championships, it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle. However, amidst this complexity, one aspect that often captures fans’ attention is the distinctive designs of championship belts.

These belts serve not only as symbols of achievement but also as tangible representations of a boxer’s dedication and skill. Intricate designs, often incorporating elements of cultural significance or historical references, adorn these belts, making them coveted prizes in the sport. The allure of these visually striking awards provides an additional incentive for boxers to push themselves to excel and reach the pinnacle of their craft.

10 The Commonwealth Title Has A Rich History

The Commonwealth Lineage Dates Back A Century

• Some of the former commonwealth champions include Lennox Lewis, Tyson Fury, Azumah Nelson, and Dick Tiger.

The Commonwealth Boxing Council was originally created by The British Boxing Board of Control. The CBC sanctions fights take place within the Commonwealth, which includes over 50 member states within the British Empire. The different flags in the middle of the Commonwealth title represent some of the member states and republics, including the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Cameroon.

9 The GBC Belt Has Been Praised

Fans Can Purchase An Alternative White Version Of The Belt

• Former champions include Ashley Theopane, Jan Meiser, and Nico Venetis.

The Global Boxing Council design has a great mix of eagle wings and boxing gloves, along with a replica fighter on top. The Global Boxing Council is a minor sanctioning body and most of the champions are European fighters.

8 The WBF Belt Was Worn By Hall Of Famers

The Blue Design Has Been Praised

• Evander Holyfield and Roy Jones Jr are among the notable former champions.

The World Boxing Federation was established in the United States before becoming a global sanctioning body. The blue color design meshes nicely with the red crown and lettering.

7 The IBA Belt Has A Classic Design

The IBA Has Been Praised For A Simple, Yet Elegant Design

• Many top fighters have held IBA titles, including Floyd Mayweather, James Toney, and George Foreman.

The International Boxing Association is widely known in most boxing circles for having multiple champions in each weight class. In addition to a recognized world champion, there’s also an intercontinental champion, America’s champion, regional champion, and international champion.

6 The IBO Belt Is Respected

The Boxing Gloves In The Middle Are Considered A Nice Touch

• Many of the sport’s best fighters have claimed IBO belts, including Floyd Mayweather, Roy Jones Jr, Thomas Hearns, and Bernard Hopkins.

The International Boxing Organization is the most prestigious outside the recognized governing bodies in the sport. The IBO runs independently, and received praise for establishing a creative computerized system aimed at simplifying the process of identifying top champions and contenders. The IBO belts are commonly black or dark green.

5 The WBA Belt Has Crowns In The Middle And Side

The WBA Has Long Been Established As Attractive

• Current champions include Terence Crawford, Naoya Inoue, Oleksandr Usyk, Katie Taylor, and Amanda Serrano.

The World Boxing Association is the oldest of boxing’s top recognized sanctioning bodies. The organization has been plagued by controversy over the years, from rumors of bribery to confusion over championships, as well as classifying some boxers as interim or super champions. Regardless, the WBA has always been praised for making attractive belts.

4 The WBU Belt Had A Short Existence

The Red Lettering Helped The WBU Belt Stand Out

​​​​​​​

• Former WBU champions include George Foreman, Ricky Hatton, and Vinny Pazienza.

​​​​​​​The World Boxing Union was a sanctioning body for nearly a decade. The organization was originally established when some members of the IBF wanted to create something new. Most fans and media members liked the design.

3 The WBC Diamond Belt Stands Out

Only Elite Fighters Have Won These Belts

​​​​​​​

• Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Bernard Hopkins, and Roman Gonzalez, are just a few of the great fighters awarded diamond belts.

​​​​​​​The World Boxing Council was established during a meeting between representatives from North America, Europe, and South America. The WBC belts feature all 161 member countries, along with its signature green color. However, the diamond belt sticks out because the WBC only awards it to boxers fighting in historical fights against other top fighters. The diamond belt was first awarded when Manny Pacquiao defeated Miguel Cotto to win a World Title in his seventh weight class.

2 The Ring Magazine Belt Is Coveted

The Ring Magazine Belt Has Been Worn By Dozens Of Hall of Famers

​​​​​

• Capturing the Ring Magazine Belt puts most boxers on the doorstep of boxing immortality.

​​​​​​​The Ring Magazine Belt has a sacred statue in boxing. Meant to move past the confusion of sanctioning bodies, the Ring Magazine title is earned in a fight between the two best fighters in a division at present. The Ring Magazine Belt also stands out because boxers are not required to pay sanctioning fees as part of fighting for the title.

1 The Lonsdale Belt Is Boxing Royalty

The Lonsdale Belt Is Made From Hallmark Silver And Gold

• Former champions include Lennox Lewis, Carl Froch, and Billy Joe Saunders.

​​​​​​​One of the oldest belt designs in the sport, the Lonsdale Belt is held by Britain’s top boxers. The original belt depicted two boxers in the ring before it was changed by the National Sporting Club to a picture of the 5th Earl of Lonsdale. The belt includes depictions of the national flowers of the United Kingdom. Lightweight Champion Freddie Welsh was the first recipient. Heavyweight Henry Cooper won the Lonsdale Belt three times.