1^st ABA National Championships   

1880 - 1881 

Year:        18 April 1881 

Venue:    St James Hall (London) 

Only (4) weights were contested by (24) boxers over (1) day.   The Semi-final and Final would continue to be held on one day until 1967.    The entrance fee was 25p (five shillings) with each winner receiving a silver cup valued at £10.50 (ten guineas).   The tradition of a silver cup continues to this day.   For a short period recently medals were awarded.   Today, thankfully, we are back to 'silver cups'.   Mr Frost-Smith became ABA Honorary Secretary (1880 - 1896) and President of the ABA (1884 - 1887).   He also won the 1880 Queensberry Championships (at Heavyweight).   The only man to ever win both Championships.   At this time it is unclear whether C. Browne 60kg and W. Brown 75kg (both Birmingham ABC) were brothers or not. 

2^nd ABA National Championships 

1881 - 1882 

Year:        1882 

Venue:    London 

Mr Tom Hill 57kg (Birmingham ABC) becomes the first man to retain his title.   The first ABA National title winner by the 'Army' but a full (10) years before the Army Boxing Association was even formed! 

3^rd ABA National Championships 

1882 - 1883 

Year:        1883 

Venue:    London 

Mr Tom Hill 57kg (Birmingham ABC) wins the third of his consecutive titles before going onto win (4) in total, National ABA Championships.   Mr. W. West 91kg (Northampton ABC) loses the first of (3) Finals consecutively.   Mr. H. Dearsley 91kg (Thames ABC) retains his title. 

4^th ABA National Championships 

1883 - 1884 

Year:        1884 

Venue:    London 

Light welter (64kg) was added as a weight category in 1884.   Mr. Dearsley (91kg) (St James ABC) wins his third consecutive title.   Was 'W. West (Northampton ABC) at 75kg and 91kg the same man?   He was!!!! After being a finalist in 1880 and 1883 Mr. W. Brown 75kg (Birmingham ABC) wins his first National ABA title.   It is this year the first Irish Club affiliates to the ABA (Dublin BC). 

5^th ABA National Championships 

1884 - 1885 

Year:        Thursday 14 April 1885 

Venue:    St. Jame's Hall, London 

Mr Anthony Diamond (Birmingham) becomes the third boxer to win (3) consecutive titles.   Mr. West 91kg (Northampton ABC) wins his first title after being a finalist (4) times in (2) years (1883, 1884).  Balcony tickets cost 2/6d 

6^th ABA National Championships 

1885 - 1886 

Year:        1886 

Venue:    St. James Hall, London 

Mr Anthony Diamond (Birmingham ABC) after winning (3) consecutive titles at light welter (1883, 1884, 1885) then goes onto win the Heavyweight title!   The first man to win (4) ABA National titles. 

7^th ABA National Championships 

1886 - 1887 

Year:        Tuesday 5 April 1887 

Venue:    St. James Hall, London 

John Hair 64kg and Robert Hair 75kg (both of North London ABC) become the first brothers to win 'ABA' titles and in the same year!   The first Welsh club affiliates to the ABA (Cardiff BC).  Tickets cost one guinea (rows 1 - 12), seven shillings and six pence (7/6d) (rows 13 - 18), five shillings (19 - 22), 2/6d Balcony, two shillings for the stalls and 2/6d and Gallery one shilling. 

8^th ABA National Championships 

1887 - 1888 

Year:        7 April 1888 

Venue:    London 

The brothers, John and Robert Hair (St James ABC) don't quite manage to retain their titles as brothers.   However Robert (75kg) keeps the family record going.   Wales see (3) men reach the final in the second year of affiliation to the ABA.   However, all (3) do not quite manage to become Champions.   Ireland manage a Finalist also, their first since their 1884 qualification to the ABA.   Mr. W. King 91kg (Belsize ABC) wins his first ABA National title at Heavyweight (91kg) after being a Finalist in 1886 at Middleweight (75kg).  Tje profit on the night was reported as £1, 13 shillings and 7 pence.  Each boxer had to sign a declaration that they had never boxed for money, or taught a professional. 

9^th ABA National Championships 

1888 - 1889 

Year:        1889 

Venue:    London 

Mr. T. McNeil 60kg (Cestus ABC) wins his first title after being a finalist in 1886 and 1888. 

10^th ABA National Championships 

1889 - 1890 

Year:        Monday 14 April 1890 

Venue:    Holborn Central Hall, London 

Joe Steers 91kg (London ABC) wins the first of his (6) ABA titles giving away around 10kg!!!!   He won titles in (1890, 1891, 1892 (at 75kg and 91kg), 1893 (at 75kg and 91kg).   He won (2) titles in the same year in 1892 and 1893.