The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-03-11

CARSON, March 10.-Referee Siler
gave out his Interpretation of the Mar
quis of Queensberry rules, under which
the men are to fight on March 18th.
He has decided that the men shall be
allowed to strike in a clinch, with one
arm free and on breakaways. This is
generally believed to be more to the adj
vantage Of Fitzsimmons' style of fight
ing than to CorbettS. Fitz has long
declared that he did not desire to have
any hitting with one arm free, and de-
manded that the breakaways should be
clean, and with no punching This is
generally thought to be a ruse on the
part Of Fits crowd. On the other
hand, Corbetts friends claim that hit
ting with one arm free will exactly suit
him.
Siler's letter to the two principals in
the big fight is as follows:
Carson City (Nev), March 10 1897.
james ]. Corbett Esq, and Robert
FitzsmmOns, Esq.-Gentlemen: Here
with l hand you each the rules of the
Marquis Of Queensberry under the pro-
visions of which you are TO contest for
the heavy weight championship of the
world in this city on March Il. 1897.
Accompanying the rules l hand you some
suggestions and instructions. These
are based upon careful study, research,
equity and fairness. You are the prin-
cipals to what will be the greatest con-
test of modern times. You have both
trained carefully and assduously The
principals and the public are alike en-
crossed to an extent never before made
manifest in a like encounter While it
is a departure to issue instructions to
the combatants of a battle like this a
week in advance of the meeting
think the Importance of the affair fully
warrants this move.
Il am confident that you both want
to win solely and wholly on your merits.
Neither of you can afford to have the
slightest suspicion of doubt cloud the
title which will belong to the victor
To that end 1 herewith hand you the
rules and certain interpretations under
which you are to battle.
"A copy of the Marquis of Queens
berry rules was sent with the letter,
which continues as follows:
The first three rules need no COM
ment, as they are plain, simple and I'M
derstood by almost everybody Rule /,
however, requires some analysis, as
some of the points are often miscon-
strued. The rule says: If either man
fall through weakness or otherwise, he
must get up unassisted ten seconds to
be allowed him to do So the other man.
meanwhile, to return to his corner
This, of course, was intended to prevent
man from standing over his fallen OPP
ponent. 1t probably never occurred to
the Trainer of the rules that at times
man either falls, or is knocked down
in his opponents corner If, then, the
man on his feet retires to his corner as
the rules direct, he will be standing
over his fallen opponent, and doing Just
what the rules mean he shall not do.
To avoid all disputes on this score, l
viii simply instruct you in case of a
knock down to retire at least ten feet
from your fallen opponent, to give him
an opportunity to rise
Rule L, which says: The contest In
all other respects to be governed by the
revised rules of the London prize ring
is, l consider. one of the most import
ant of the twelve rules, and appears to
be the bone of contention in almost
every contest. 1t has been the custom
of referees. myself among them, to in
quire of the principals whether they
choose to hit in clinches with one arm
free. and also on breakaways Invaria-
bly, the principals agreed not to hit in
the clinches or on breakaways, but they
generally forget all about their agree
ment and frequently violate it. This,
then, causes not only the seconds. but
spectators to cry foul every time a
blow is delivered in a clinch or in a
breakaway, and causes much trouble
and argument. 1t also makes the du-
ties OF 4 referee arduous and disagree
able, and keeps him continually in hot
water. Furthermore, ii gives the ref
cree an opportunity to decide the con-
test on a technical foul, which is gener-
ally unsatisfactory to everybody con-
cerned.
Neither Of you, l am sure, desire to
win the coming contest on a technical
foul. and to avoid any such contin-
gency through hitting in clinches with
a free arm and in breakaways, 1 will
rule: That you be permitted to hit in
clinches with one arm free, and also
on breakaways. With this interpreta-
ton of this rule announced a week be-
fore the contest, you will both have
ample time TO practice these important