championing

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Champion \Cham"pi*on\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Championed}; p. pr.
   & vb. n. {Championing}.] [Obs.] --Shak.
   [1913 Webster]
   2. To furnish with a champion; to attend or defend as
      champion; to support or maintain; to protect.
      [1913 Webster]

            Championed or unchampioned, thou diest. --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.
      [1913 Webster]