A FAMOUS boxing belt will be unveiled at the Museum of London tomorrow.
The Lonsdale Belt has been given to the museum by Edward Brown, the son of prize-fighter Johnny Brown.
The Lonsdale is the oldest and most famous championship belt in boxing. It was first issued by the National Sporting Club in 1909. The one in the museum, the very first bantamweight belt, was made in 1910. It consists of gold medallions and enamels, joined by gold links.
Edward Brown said: “This beautiful trophy lay mostly unseen in various bank safety-boxes during the past 36 years. My parents enjoyed spending the second half of their lives in South Africa but my dad often described himself as a Londoner, born and bred.”
Alex Werner, the museum’s head of history collections, said: “This wonderful donation highlights London’s role in the world of boxing, a sport that continues to be important for the capital. We are delighted to be able to display the Lonsdale belt in the countdown to the 2012 Olympics.”
The museum is in London Wall.
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