1952 Archie Moore World's Light Heavy Weight Championship Ring Magazine Belt

Auction: December 2003

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1952 Archie Moore World's Light Heavy Weight Championship Ring Magazine Belt

Archie Moore was born Archibald Lee Wright on or about December 13, 1913 in Benoit, Mississippi. He began his professional boxing career on July 14, 1936 with a six round victory in Quincey, Illinois. Moore's career would advance slowly. In 1943 he defeated Jack Chase in 15 rounds in San Diego to win the California State Middleweight Championship. He would lose it back to Chase several months later.Over the next nine years Moore would progress beating the likes of Harold Johnson, Jimmy Bivins and Bob Satterfield while losing to the great Ezzard Charles. In 1952, sixteen years after turning professional, Archie Moore would finally get a title shot. His victories over Haold Johnson, Jimmy Slade and Clarence Henry put him in a position for a title shot which he received on December 17, 1952 against World Light Heavyweight Champion Joey Maxim in St. Louis. Moore did not waste the opportunity earning a hard fought 15 round decision and the championship. He would go on to successfully defend that title nine times before relinguishing it for good in 1962. Moore failed in two attempts at winning the World Heavyweight Title. He had Champion Rocky Marciano down early before being stopped himself in their fight in 1955. The following year he would fight for the vacant Heavyweight Title, but would lose to Floyd Patterson. In 1962 at the end of his career he would lose to the upstart Cassius Clay. Archie Moore's career would span four decades. His remarkable record of 183-22-9 with one no contest included victories over Yvon Durelle, Tony Anthony, Bobo Olson, Nino Valdes and Eddie Cotton along with Maxim and Johnson. Nicknamed, "The Mongoose," Moore combined terrific ring instincts and knowledge with great power. Of his 183 wins, 129 were by knockout. Upon his retirement Moore became a trainer and manager of fighters and was an important part of the training team of future Heavyweight Champion, George Foreman. Archie Moore was an initial inductee into the Boxing Hall Of Fame in Canastota, New York. Presented here is the original Ring Magazine World Light Heavyweight Championship Belt awarded to Archie Moore for his victory over Joey Maxim on December 17, 1952. This three-plated belt includes the original cloth sash. An impressive piece, it is a stretchable belt covered in gold, blue & white fabric, adorned with 3 brass badges: Center badge with eagle standing on top is engraved, “The Ring magazine Award, World Light Heavyweight Championship won by Archie Moore”, lettering is enameled blue. Badge is flanked by two American flags. The two side badges, slightly smaller are attached by decorative gold chains and enameled in black lettering. Right badge reads, “Defeated Joey Maxim in 51 Rounds”, left badge reads, “At St. Louis - MO. December 17, 1952.” Its leather straps and buckles are still intact. Belt shows light wear, but is overall EX-MT. Comes with a LOA from the estate representative of the family of Archie Moore.