"Terrible" Terry Norris is a 4-time World Champion in the Light-Middleweight/Super-Welterweight (154-lb.) division. He won three titles (four if you include NABF) within the World Boxing Council (WBC) alone, and reigned as WBC champion for a cumulative total of six and half years during the early 1990's. Featured here is commemorative sterling silver, diamond-studded belt buckle honoring his WBC Super Welterweight Championship victory on March 31, 1990 vs. John "The Beast" Mugabi. Norris knocked out the 1980 Olympic Silver Medalist and then-WBC title holder from Uganda with a punishing blow near the end of the 1st round to claim his first WBC title. Winner of the Silver Medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics in the Welterweight division, Mugabi came into this fight as the WBC title holder. The Ring named the fight "Knockout of the Year". More importantly for Norris, he was World Champion for the first time. It would take three years and nine months for anyone to take Norris' WBC crown.
Having grown up in Lubbock, Texas, it seems that Norris wanted to pay homage to the cowboy culture of his roots with this shiny metal belt buckle. He had it specially made; it was not something the WBC issued to boxing champions. The oval shape measures 5" by 4" at its longest and widest points. The exquisite design features "WBC" and a boxing figure (of similar metal color and texture) at the center with a banner of different nations' flags perhaps to parallel the centerpiece design of WBC title belts. Around this boxing figure is the following inscription in block lettering: "SUPER WELTERWEIGHT - WORLD CHAMPION - MARCH 31, 1990 - TERRY NORRIS." There are two flower shaped designs on each side, each one holding seven individual diamond studs. The 14 total studs add up to approximately 1-1.5 carats from what we can tell. The back is stamped with the manufacturer "Gist, Inc. - PLACERVILLE, Calif." and "14-10K STERLING", and has along necessary components for attaching to one's belt. The belt buckle presents beautifully in NM-MT condition, and comes as-issued from Terry Norris' personal collection.
Includes a Letter of Authenticity from "Terrible" Terry Norris.
“Terrible Terry” Norris certainly lived up to his nickname as a boxer, but outside the ring is another story. A few years ago, he and his wife, Tanya, started the Final Fight Foundation whose “mission is to serve as a catalyst for the under-served athletes in health and retirement assistance, during and after their careers.” Norris now suffers from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), Parkinsonism, and Dementia brought on by years in the ring. A portion of the proceeds from his collection will go towards his foundation.