The historic belt once worn by John L. Sullivan lives on in modern bare-knuckle wars
Bare-knuckle boxing has always been about pride, survival, and proving you’re the toughest man breathing — and no prize carries that weight like the Police Gazette Championship Belt. Once awarded to legends like John L. Sullivan in the blood-soaked days of 19th-century prizefighting, the belt has resurfaced in today’s modern bare-knuckle scene — more relevant than ever.
Born in Blood — The Belt’s Brutal Origins
The National Police Gazette, a gritty American newspaper founded in 1845, created the belt in the 1880s to crown the undisputed king of bare-knuckle fighting.
Gold, silver, and gemstones adorned the belt — but what it really meant was simple: You were the baddest man alive.
Back then, fights didn’t end in points. They ended when one man couldn’t stand. The belt became the symbol of true fighting royalty — earned, never given.
The Forgotten Years — Bare-Knuckle Fades, But the Belt Survives
As bare-knuckle went underground and gloves took over, the Police Gazette Belt slipped into history. But it was never truly gone. It waited — like the sport itself — for the right moment to return.
Modern Revival — BYB Extreme Brings the Belt Back
Now, in 2024, the belt is officially back in the fight game. BYB Extreme Fighting Series — a powerhouse promotion in the U.S. — has acquired the rights to the Police Gazette World Diamond Belt.
It’s not just a trophy — it’s been made the official world title belt for their champions. Fighters from the UK to America now fight for the same crown men bled for in the 1800s.
Source: BYB Extreme Official Release
What It Means for the Sport Today
Holding that belt today means more than being champion — it means standing in the same bloodline as the hardest men to ever step in a ring. No politics, no easy fights — just earning it the old way.
For modern bare-knuckle fans and fighters, the belt proves what we already know: this sport’s history is deeper, rougher, and more real than most will ever understand.
Bare-Knuckle’s Richest Prize is Back Where It Belongs
The Police Gazette Belt is back — but it never really left. It’s now in the hands of fighters carving their names into history the hard way.
At BkN UK, we’ll be watching every fight, every belt defense — because the story of this belt isn’t over.
It’s just getting started again.
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