"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 his official WBC Light-Middleweight/Super-Welterweight belt, the same one held during his three separate title reigns, including his famous title defense vs. Sugar Ray Leonard in 1991. Leonard famously announced his retirement in the ring after the fight.
The green leather belt has the customary WBC-branded gold-painted metal oval centerpiece, 9 inches in diameter and encircled by 80 tiny hand-painted flags of the world (half the number of WBC current member nations, meaning the belt had to be issued in the early 1990's). The centerpiece is flanked by two metal WBC coin-like medallions, each 2" in diameter, featuring gold-on-black painted representations of Joe Louis (on the right) and Muhammad Ali (on the left) connected to the centerpiece by two gold-painted chains. It fastens via its original brass belt buckle still completely intact. The strap is 43" in length and the belt weighs 3.2 lbs. Norris has added his autograph and "WBC Super Welterweight Champ" inscription on the reverse side in bold 10/10 black marker. One odd, if not unique and intriguing element to this belt is that MLB Hit King Pete Rose has signed the left side of the green strap. According to Norris, "Charlie Hustle" autographed his belt during a boxing event in Las Vegas at some point in the past decade. The belt shows signs of wear and use, with a few chips off the centerpiece and slight fading to the leather. Overall, it comes in EX-NM condition, essentially as-issued and problem-free from "Terrible" Terry Norris' personal collection.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.
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.