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1884 Jack Dempsey Non Pareil Boxing Belt Buckle 1884 Jack Dempsey (Non Pareil) vs. George Fulljames

Currency:USD Category:Sports - Cards & Fan Shop Start Price:1,900.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
1884 Jack Dempsey Non Pareil Boxing Belt Buckle 1884 Jack Dempsey (Non Pareil) vs. George Fulljames
<B>1884 Jack Dempsey (Non Pareil) vs. George Fulljames "Champion" Belt Buckle.</B></I> Dating from the era that saw the slow transition from the bare knuckled battles of old to the new Marquis of Queensberry rules, which called for padded gloves, this bout for the middleweight Championship saw a compromise of sorts, as the two pugilists fought wearing heavy driving gloves. Dempsey was the better man this day, retiring Fulljames in the twenty-second round and becoming the first modern middleweight Champion with the victory. Prior to this bout, the only boxing titles recognized were Heavyweight and Lightweight. Though one might assume that this belt buckle was awarded to the victor, it was in fact to the loser that went these spoils. The large (6x6.5") pewter buckle features a pair of brass brawlers at center, with text above reading, "Presented to George Fulljames, by a number of his New York friends, for his plucky encounter in his fight with Jack Dempsey." Bold block lettering below reads, "Champion." A fine piece of early boxing memorabilia, as historically relevant as it is beautiful.