Sixty-Two Years of WBC Glory: The Evolution of Our Championship Belt

The World Boxing Council (WBC) celebrates its 62nd anniversary on February 14th, marking a legacy of history-making moments with much more to come. To commemorate this milestone, we look back at the evolution of the sport’s most prestigious prize: the iconic green and gold championship belt.

First Generation: The first official belt of the World Boxing Council was presented with a silver plate, black velvet sash. Icons of our sport who conquered this belt were: Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Jose Napoles and Miguel Canto.

Second Generation: This was the first Adidas Original Belt. It was designed by Don Jose Sulaiman and Mr. Piero Pini. With this belt, the concept of the  now fabled and coveted “Green and Gold” was firmly established.  It was unveiled in 1976. Some  of the champions who won it were Larry Holmes, Sugar Ray Leonard, Carlos Zarate and Alexis Arguello.

Third Generation: This belt integrated two rows of flags around the logo. Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis were also immortalized on the leash including two gold medals depicting their images. Greats  who conquered it were:  Julio Cesar Chavez, Mike Tyson and Ricardo López. This belt had small metal chains connecting the medallions in which the photographs appeared.

Fourth Generation: In 2000 we took another quantum leap by introducing a belt with three lines of flags around the logo, to include the then 165 countries affiliated to the WBC. Four ceramics were also added that came to replace the medals and small chains of the previous one. This belt was won by Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Márquez, among other fabulous champions.

Fifth Generation: This belt model is used to recognize the current champions and highlights more notable difference than the previous ones, since several ceramic figures were added to those that it already had. This belt has three ceramics on the right side and three others on the left. As a very visible change, it contains a Don José Sulaimán, Floyd Mayweather and the current division champion ceramics on the right side. On the left side it has two legendary champions chosen as the best in our history according to the division in which the fight is taking place plus the King of Boxing, Muhammad Ali.

Sixth Generation: This masterpiece of sports jewelry is much more than just a title; it’s a symbol of the passion, sacrifice, and indomitable spirit of boxers worldwide. The WBC belt’s characteristic green color represents every boxer’s hope of rising above through the sport and evokes the freshness, energy, and constant growth that denes boxing. Adorned with gold details, this belt is a testament to the luxury and excellence that accompany those who reach the pinnacle of this sport.

The belt’s central plate, surrounded by the flags of all United Nations member nations, as well as Puerto Rico, the Vatican, and Palestine, underscores the global nature of boxing and the WBC’s commitment to inclusion and diversity. This unique detail makes the belt a true symbol of worldwide unity.

More Than Just a Trophy

The WBC belt is much more than just an object. It’s a recognition of years of training, sacrifice and dedication. It’s a reminder that, beyond cultural and linguistic differences, boxing unites us all under one spirit of competition and camaraderie.