A world boxing championship belt has been stolen from the home of Belfast fighter Eamonn Magee, it emerged today.
Detectives said the World Boxing Union welterweight belt, which is worth tens of thousands of pounds, went missing yesterday following a burglary at Magee's Holmdene Gardens property in the north of the city.
The Ulsterman only returned to the ring in March - 13 months after he was subjected to a vicious gang attack which left him with a punctured lung and horrendous leg injuries.
Doctors told him he would never fight again but Magee overcame the odds and won his comeback fight against Denmark's Allan Vester.
Police said the "unique and extremely valuable" black leather belt, which was kept in a silver case, has a gold crest surrounded with diamonds and carries the number 49.