Boxing is considered one of the most intense combat sports, and contestants strive to win championship belts that represent their superiority in their weight class. These belts come in different designs and are highly coveted by fighters. However, what happens when a boxer loses a title? Does he get to keep the belt? These are some of the questions that will be answered in this article.
How Do Boxing Belts Get Split Up?
Boxing belts are awarded to the winner of the fight in a championship match. The governing bodies in boxing, such as the WBC (World Boxing Council), WBA (World Boxing Association), IBF (International Boxing Federation), and WBO (World Boxing Organization), are responsible for sanctioning championship fights and awarding belts to the winners.
When a champion loses a fight, the belts are transferred to the new champion. The defeated champion is no longer considered the championship titleholder, and they relinquish their belts to the new champion. It is essential to note that titleholders only have one belt in each weight class.
Does a Boxer Lose All His Belts If He Loses?
Yes, a boxer loses all their belts if they lose a championship fight. All the belts awarded to the champion will be transferred to the new champion. The former champion will not retain any belts, and they will have to fight their way back to earn another championship.
How Much Are Boxing Belts Worth?
Boxing belts are highly prized possessions and can hold significant value depending on the belt’s prestige, the material used, and the gemstones set on the belt. On average, boxing belts can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars.
Most Expensive Boxing Belt
One of the most expensive boxing belts is the “Money Belt” created by the WBC in collaboration with the Mayweather-McGregor fight in 2017. The belt is made of alligator leather with 24-karat gold plates and features 3,360 diamonds, 600 sapphires, 300 emeralds, and one and a half kilograms of solid 24-karat gold. The belt is worth $3 million.
What Happens to Boxing Belts When Someone Retires?
When a boxer retires, they usually keep their championship belts as a memento of their achievements. The belts are not returned to the governing bodies unless the boxer was stripped of the title due to violating regulations or failing medical tests.
Do You Get a New Belt Every Time You Defend It?
No, boxers do not get a new belt every time they defend their title. The belts are awarded once to the winner of a championship fight. The winner then becomes the titleholder until they are defeated in a championship match.
What Happens If a Boxer Retires With a Belt?
If a boxer retires with a championship belt, they are no longer considered the titleholder since they are no longer actively fighting. In such instances, the governing bodies may declare the belt vacant, and a new champion will have to be determined by holding another championship fight.
Who Has the Most Rubies on Their UFC Belt?
The UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) belt features rubies and is awarded to the winner of a championship fight. The current UFC champions are Kamaru Usman (welterweight), Israel Adesanya (middleweight), and Jan Blachowicz (light heavyweight).
WBC Belt
The WBC belt is considered one of the most prestigious boxing belts and has been awarded to legendary boxers such as Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Mike Tyson.
Do UFC Fighters Keep Their Belts After Losing?
No, UFC fighters do not keep their belts after losing a championship fight. The belts are transferred to the winner, and the losing fighter is no longer considered the titleholder.
Why Do Boxers Vacate Titles?
Boxers vacate titles for various reasons, such as retiring, moving up in weight class, or failing to meet mandatory obligations, such as fighting a mandatory challenger. In such instances, the governing bodies declare the titles vacant, and a new champion must be determined by holding a championship fight.
Are Boxing Belts Real Gold?
Most boxing belts are not made of real gold. They are usually made of leather, metal, or plastic with gold plating and set with gemstones. Belts made of real gold and expensive gemstones are reserved for top-tier championship fights and cost millions of dollars.
In conclusion, when a boxer loses a championship fight, they lose all their belts, and they are transferred to the new champion. Boxing belts are highly prized possessions that hold significant value, and retiring boxers usually keep their belts as a memento of their achievements. UFC fighters do not keep their belts after losing a championship fight, and boxing belts are usually not made of real gold.