On August 23, fans at Planet Ice in Altrincham were treated to a domestic classic, as Jack Rafferty and Mark Chamberlain delivered a Fight of the Year contender in their thrilling battle for the British super-lightweight title.
Anticipated as an all-action clash, the bout lived up to expectations. The combination of styles, power, and pride made for a ferocious contest—yet again proving how British title fights consistently bring out the best in fighters. But did the iconic Lord Lonsdale belt elevate their performance even further? Many would say yes.
So far in 2025, there have been 13 British title bouts, beginning with Callum Simpson’s explosive win over Steed Woodall back in January and culminating, most recently, in Rafferty vs. Chamberlain. With seven more fights needed to surpass last year’s total of 20, the schedule is filling fast—three more title clashes are already confirmed for October:
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Regan Glackin vs. Louie O’Doherty (Lightweight)
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Harvey Horn vs. Paul Roberts (Flyweight)
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Kieron Conway vs. George Liddard (Middleweight)
Despite the rise of global titles and sanctioning bodies, the British title remains one of the sport’s most respected accolades. With over a century of history, the Lord Lonsdale Belt has lost none of its prestige or appeal.
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Speaking to Boxing News, Robert Smith, General Secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, shared why he believes the belt continues to produce such compelling contests.
“They’re so well matched, first of all,” said Smith. “Look at Rafferty-Chamberlain. That could have gone either way. We’ve had people say Chamberlain should’ve got it, others say Rafferty. But I think the result was fair. It was nip and tuck the whole way through—just a great fight.”
Smith attributes much of the British title’s enduring excitement to high-quality matchmaking, along with the immense pride fighters feel when competing for it. “I think the matching makes a big difference. And also, the pride of being British champion. I know I’m biased, but I still think it’s the best trophy in the world.”
The Lord Lonsdale Belt is more than just a stepping stone—it’s a badge of honour. For decades, fighters have spoken about the pride of holding the belt aloft. Its distinctive design and rich history give it an aura few other championships can match.
“You can go from winning the British title to the European, then to world titles,” Smith added. “But there’s something special about being the champion of your home country.”
With the domestic scene thriving and more British title fights on the horizon, one thing is clear: the Lord Lonsdale Belt continues to inspire fighters to dig deep—and deliver unforgettable nights for British boxing fans.
