Henry Cooper’s Lonsdale Belt Sets New Auction Record at BUDDS
Sir Henry Cooper remains one of Britain’s most cherished sporting figures, and his legacy was underlined once again in our Sporting Memorabilia Auction on the 9th of September, when his Heavyweight Lonsdale Belt sold for a record-breaking £80,000.
The 9ct gold and enamel belt, crafted by Mappin and Webb in 1936, is one of British boxing’s most iconic prizes. Cooper secured it twice in 1959 and again in 1961, during a career that saw him dominate the British heavyweight scene.
The belt carries detailed fight records from 1937 through to Cooper’s own triumphs. Complete with its original Mappin & Webb case, it represents both the history of the Lonsdale tradition and the story of a national sporting hero.
The belt had previously been offered by us at BUDDS in 2013, when it realised £49,000 - a world record at the time. To see it surpass that figure by some margin a decade later speaks not only to its rarity and craftsmanship, but to the enduring respect Cooper continues to command.
Our head of Sporting Memorabilia, David Convery, reflected after the sale:
“This sale is another indication of the love, respect and affection that Henry Cooper generated throughout his life and after his death. Budds was honoured to sell it for a record price a second time in ten years.”
Known affectionately as “Our Enry” Cooper held the British heavyweight title for 12 years and the European crown for three. His fearless style and sportsmanship endeared him to fans across the nation.
Perhaps his most famous moment came in 1963, when he floored a young Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) at Wembley - cementing his place in the sport, even in defeat. Knighted in 2000, Cooper remains the only British heavyweight to be honoured with an MBE.
This was history in a belt - and once again, it found a fitting stage at BUDDS.
