The Hudson Reporter
Packing a punch
Boxing belt craftsman and grandson work together
by Melissa Rappaport
Reporter staff writer
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.
`Sir, you are a very important part of boxing history.’ – Ed Brophy,
Executive Director of the International Boxing Hall of Fame
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:
Melissa Rappaport may be reached at [email protected]
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