A Light Weight Championship of Great Britain boxing belt awarded to Sam Steward in 1928, in silver-gilt & enamel by Percy Edwards Ltd, London, inscrib
£1,000 - £1,500
A Light Weight Championship of Great Britain boxing belt awarded to Sam Steward in 1928, in silver-gilt & enamel by Percy Edwards Ltd, London, inscribed THE SPORTING LIFE, LIGHT WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP, flanked by two enamel roundels portraying John Bull, two inscribed plaques the first reading SAM STEWARD, JULY 23 1928, DEFEATED JACK HYAMS, AT THE RING, BLACKFRIARS, the other reading SAM STEWARD, DEFEATED ERNIE RICE, THE RING, BLACKFRIARS, 17-9-28, LIGHT WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP OF GREAT BRITAIN, all laid down on red, white & blue silk with clasps modelled as serpents; in original leather carrying case; sold together with two mounted photographs of Steward in fight action by P W Luton of New Cross, an original programme for the Steward v Hyams fight at The Ring in 1928, a programme for a charity football match at West Ham Stadium 5.11.28 boxers v jockeys; plus tube rolled facsimile press reports of Steward becoming champion from The Sporting Life and The Daily Mirror Sam Steward was born in Lewisham, south London, in 1906 and according to the British Boxing Yearbook he competed in 118 bouts with a record of 80-18-20. He was crowned British champion when knocking out Ernie Rice at The RIng, Blackfriars, 17th September 1928. He held the title until 2nd May 1929 when he lost on points to Fred Webster at the Royal Albert Hall, London.