National Championship belt presented to Ezzard Charles

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A championship belt presented to Ezzard Charles consists of red, white, and blue striped ribbon with black backing. Back is lined in blue silk. Thinner blue silk ribbons sewn to either end act as the fastener. A rectangular brass plate in the center of belt boasts a circular medallion depicting a woman in flowing robes and a compass. Text around the top and bottom of the plate reads [NATIONAL / CHAMPIONSHIP]. Raised text around the medallion reads [AMATEUR ATHLETIC UNION OF THE UNITED STATES MDCCCLXXXVIII]. Either side of medallion stands a bare knuckle boxer. The Ring Magazine Boxing Fighter of the Year 1950 award (2017.28.5) is pinned to the belt.

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