Following the name of the champion(s): Indicates the number of times the competitor has held that title at that point.
[...]
Indicates a gap in the listing where title changes are not known.
<
Title was held or changed hands no later than this. In these cases, it is known that a competitor held the title at a certain time but not when he/she won it.
@
Order uncertain. Different titleholders may be known for the same year, for example, but it is not known who held the title before whom.
#
Unofficial or disputable claims. These are usually matches that certainly took place, but where there is doubt that the competitor shown should be recognized as a true title holder. These listings are also italicized.
Claims the title after Allen challenges English champion Jack Knifton to fight for for the British title but Knifto does not raise money; vacates in 79.
Frank Craig
1898-11-24
Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, ENG
Defeats English champion George Chrisp to be recognized as British champion.
Jack Palmer
1905-12-18
London, ENG
Defeats Geoff Thorne for the vacant "English" title.
Gunner Moir
1906-10-29
London, ENG
William Ian Hague
1909-04-19
London, ENG
Loses to Sam Longford on 09-05-24 in London, ENG but claims the match is for the world title and he is still the English champion (Leed Mercury, 09-05-29).
Matthew Curran
1910-02-11
Plymouth, ENG
Not recognized by NSC; Hague continues to be recognized by NSC but loses to Billy Wells on 11-04-24 (see below); loses to Billy Wells on 16-03-31 in Plymoth, ENG (see below).
Billy Wells
1911-04-24
London, ENG
Defeats William Ian Hague for the NSC title; the first fight for Lonsdale heavyweight belt; also wins British Empire Title on 11-12-18; also defeats title claimant Matthew Curran on 16-03-31 in Plymoth, ENG.
Joe Beckett
1919-02-27
London, ENG
Wins British Empire and British titles; NSC later refuses to recognize Beckett as British champion and declares the title vacant; Beckett continues to claim the title; Frank Goddard defeats Jack Curphey on 19-05-26 in London, ENG for the vacant NSC title; Beckett defeats Goddard on 19-06-17 to end the dispute; vacates in 23.
