A.F. Bettinson
Born: March 4, 1862
Died: Dec. 4, 1926
Induction: 2011
Born Arthur Frederick Bettinson in 1862. He was British ABA lightweight champion in 1882.
In 1887 he co-founded the Pelican Club and, along with John Fleming, founded the National Sporting Club in England on March 5, 1891. Created as a middle class sporting club, the NSC hosted many of the top boxers of the day. Bouts took place after dinner and featured such standouts as Joe Walcott, Tommy Ryan, Jimmy Wilde, Ted “Kid” Lewis, Georges Carpentier and Kid McCoy. Bettinson ruled with an iron fist; boxers had to behave themselves and the 1,300 members and guests were not permitted to talk during the action. Established as a venue, promoter and governing body, the influence of the NSC was profound. In 1909 it standardized divisions and weight limits before authorizing British title bouts and arranged for the presentation of championship belts, donated by Lord Lonsdale, the first president of the NSC.
Bettinson died in 1926 in London.