Boxing Belts (In the News)

July 8, 2009 - PRLog -- An article about Sartonk Designs was published in this week's edition of the Hudson Reporter. Sartonk Designs is a new company, specializing in the making and designing of championship boxing belts. As the article illustrated, the company has a rich history as is founded by the grandson of Ardash Sahaghian, the 87 year-old craftsman who is responsbile for virtually all of the championship belts currently used in boxing. Image, link and text of the article are below.

Additional press inquries should be directed to contact@sartonk.com or 323.895.4853.

PACKING A PUNCH
Boxing belt craftsman and grandson work together

By Melissa Rappaport, Hudson Reporter (June 5, 2009)

The boxing world will soon be struck with a 1-2 punch combo from Sartonk Designs, a new company that designs championship boxing belts. Ardash Sahaghian, 87, a longtime Weehawken resident, is a legendary boxing belt craftsman and has been involved in the industry for over 30 years. He is known for designing Muhammad Ali’s famous retirement crown and many of the championship belts used by the boxing industry.

Sahaghian’s grandson, Edward Majian, recently became president of the company.
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“Sir, you are a very important part of boxing history.” – Ed Brophy, Executive Director of the International Boxing Hall of Fame
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Sartonk, which in Armenian translates to “Rebirth,” hopes to bring integrity back to the championship belt industry, and the company also hopes to make an impact on society, particularly young people.

Recent visit to boxing Hall of Fame

A few weeks ago, Sahaghian and Majian visited the International Boxing Hall of Fame’s 20th Induction Collector’s Convention. It was Sahaghian’s and Sartonk’s first public appearance since the company was formed earlier this year.

“Sir, you are a very important part of boxing history,” Executive Director of the International Boxing Hall of Fame Ed Brophy said to Sahaghian.

During their visit, boxing fans had a chance to shake hands with Sahaghian himself, take pictures with him, and admire his work and the works of art that are the belts themselves.

Majian brought scrapbooks of the history of the belts and a chronicle of the designs throughout the years. He also brought a portfolio of his grandfather’s work going all the way back to the late 1970s.

“Events like this are important,” said Henry Hascup, president of the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame. “They give fans a chance to see Ardash’s original belts up close, and it’s high time that the boxing community and fans have an opportunity to meet this man.” Hascup is also an advisor for Sartonk Designs. He knows Sahaghian very well and has been a close friend for many years.

An average day at Sartonk

Every day, Sahaghian visits Sartonk’s workshop to oversee designs and work on a few belts. “He just loves to work and has worked everyday of his life since he was 16,” said Majian.

The workshop is more than just headquarters for Sartonk Designs. The family ambiance provided by those close to the business is what also brings Majian and his wife, Hasmig Tatiossian, to the workshop.

“We’re like a family,” said Ugur Can, building manager where the Sartonks workshop is located.

“There are so many talented people in this building,” said Tatiossian. “Everyone helps and contributes with their skills.”

The skilled craftsmen include Ali Aydin, a carpenter who made a stand out of wood for Sartonk, and Julio Cohen, a sign maker who made the Sartonk sign and banner.

Sartonk’s plans for the youth

The new company also has plans to make an impact on the youth. For Black History Month, the company will hold an essay contest about the role of boxing in the development of civil rights for African Americans. The prize has yet to be determined. Majian, who holds a PhD in philosophy and is an avid human rights activist, hopes to promote dialogue about the role boxing has played not just as a sport, but as path to equality throughout the history of the civil rights movement.

To find out more about Sartonk Designs, visit: http://www.sartonk.com

Melissa Rappaport may be reached at mrappaport@hudsonreporter.com

To view the complete article and images on HudsonReporter.com, click here: http://hudsonreporter.com/pages/full_story/push?article-P...

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Sartonk Designs is the most experienced company devoted to the craft of designing championship boxing belts. The belts currently seen on TV are virtually all the creations of Ardash Sahaghian, founder of Sartonk Designs. Three decades of design and growing.

contact@sartonk.com / 323.895.4853