Mestizo Belt, from Mexico to the World
The WBC has worked hard, hand in hand with Mexican artisans who have transformed the belts into true masterpieces of art, each representing the very best of their culture.
On this occasion, the Mestizo belt will be awarded as a trophy, to the winner of the fight between WBC/WBA super middleweight champion Saul Álvarez and WBO world champion, Billy Joe Saunders, this Saturday.
This magnificent piece of art was created by third generation saddlery and piteado artisans from Toluca, State of Mexico, Vianey Flores Martínez and Raul Perez Carmona, who were inspired by Charreria, one of the cultural and traditional practices of the State of Mexico that has gained great popularity in Mexico from 1880.
More than 400 hours were dedicated to this commemorative belt, which was crafted in three processes: first the work on leather, which includes dyeing of the leather that serves as the basis, then the stippling, which is the chiselling of the figures on the skin, to be able to mark them and finally the intricate embroidery that is made in pita or ixtle fibers, with special needles.
Within this beautiful handcrafted piece, we find figures that symbolize 4 of the 9 charro practices that are:
– Cala a Caballo: consists of demonstrating the education of the horse.
– Manganas on horseback: it consists of blooming the rope, looping the front legs of the horse, all this while a women rider is r on horseback.
– Manganas on foot: consists of splaying the rope, looping the front legs of the horse, taking it to the ground.
– Horseback riding: which consists of taming the horse by riding it.
In addition, of course, a classic or “ramada” decoration plus some figures that symbolize the equestrian tradition.
The center of the belt is again formed by an obsidian mirror from Teotihuacán as a smoking reflexion where you can see the God Tezcatlipoca, emblem of his warrior dedication, fortress for battle and symbol of night power. However, this time, we can see some gold flourish finishes to give greater prominence to the magnificent Mexican work.
This is how the emblematic belt of the World Boxing Council is presented on the most special dates for Mexico (May 5 and September 15) with the most important symbols of our different cultures, to reward the boxers who fight on the aforementioned dates, creating a tradition for boxing by highlighting two dates that are 100% boxing.
The Mestizo Belt, which is a commemorative trophy, recognizes the greatness of boxing, embodying with every detail the beautiful tradition of charreria, being the result of a work done from the heart and soul. It is a priceless gift from Mexico and its artisans, to the World.
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