This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 5/11/2001.
"The Belt." Anyone who's ever laced on a pair of 8-ounce gloves knows the meaning of those two words. More than money, a championship belt represents the prize part of the word prizefighter, and this stunning gold World Boxing Council championship belt signed by over 60 ring greats explains why. Grandeur is the word for this belt. The gold center plate is adorned with the flags of numerous nations around the engraved image of a fighter with his glove upraised and the letters "W.B.C." in black atop a royal crown. The words "World Champion" are in green and gold. The leather straps of the belt are green with black trimming, with a gold plated medallion and chains linked to gold engraved images of Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali. A remarkable Hall of Fame array of signatures written by the former champs in black Sharpie covers the front and back of the belt, including one of Ali, whose signature rates a near-perfect 10 on the underside of the left strap, as well as Ali's great nemesis Joe Frazier, whose name is on the front left strap, also rating close to a 10. Others include current heavyweight champ Lennox Lewis and former champs Larry Holmes and Floyd Patterson, as well as Oscar de la Hoya, Roberto Duran, Jake LaMotta, Willie Pep, Carmen Basilio, Tony DeMarco, Joey Maxim, Carlos Zarate, Carlos Palomino, Joey Giardello, etc., as well as trainers Teddy Atlas and Gil Clancy and referee Arthur Mercante. The signatures rate 8s, 9s and near-10s. This requiem of all weights includes a certificate of authenticity and a photo of De la Hoya signing the belt.