Evening star., 1897-03-17
RULES FOR THE FIGHT.
The Referees Letter of Instructions
to the Fighters.

The Referees Letter of Instructions
to the Fighters.
Repres antative Siler sent the following
Interpretation of the rules and Instructions
to both fighters:
james Corbett, esq, and Robert Fitz-
simmons, esq, Carson City, New:
Gentlemen: 1 herewith hand you each
the rules of the Marquis of Queensberry.
under the provisions which you are to
contest for the heavyweight championship
of the world in this city on March IT, 1897
Accompanying the rules 1 hand you some
suggestions and instructions. These are
based upon careful study, research, equity
and fairness. You are PRINCIPALS to what
VIII be the greatest contest of modern
times. You have both trained carefully and
aasiduously. The principals and the public
are alike engrossed to an extent never
before made manifest in a like encounter
While II is departure to issue inStruc-
tions to the combstantS of a battle like
this week in advance of the meeting,
1 think that the importance of the affair
fully warrants this move. l 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 l herewith hand
you the rules and certain interoreta tions
under which you are to battle:
Rules as Laid Down.
''Rule ]. To be fair, stand-up boxing
match In twenty-four-foot ring. or as
near that size as practicable.
Rule 2. No wrestling or hugging al
lowed
Rule 3. The rounds to be of three
minutes duration and one minute time
between rounds.
Rule T. If either man fall, through
weakness or otherwise, he must get up
urassisted ten seconds to be allowed him
TO do SO. the other man meanwhile to re-
turn to his corner and when the fallen
man is on his legs the round is to be
sumed and continued until the three min
utes have expired. If one man fails to
come to the scratch in the ten seconds
allowed It shall be in the power Of the
other man.
Rule 8. man hanging the ropes
In helpless state, with his toes Off the
ground. shall be considered down.
Rule u. No seconds or any other per-
son to be allowed in the ring during the
rounds.
Rule T. Should the contest be stopped
by any unavoidable interference the ref
cree to name time and place. as soon as
possible, for finishing~the contest, so that
the match must be won and lost, unless
the hackers of both men agree to draw
the stakes.
Rule 8. The gloves to be fair-sized box.
Ill gloves of the best-quality and new.
Rule D. Should a glpve burst or come
OH 1t must be replaced under the referees
inspection.
Rule TO- A man on-one knee is con-
sidered SID down. and if struck is entitled TO
Rule H. No shoes or boots with strings
allowed. 81!
Rule IL. The contest in all other re-
spects to be governed1b by the revised rules
OF the London prize ring.
Must Retire, 70 Corner.
''The first three rules need no comment
as they are plain, simple and understood
by almost everybody. Rule 4, however, re-
quires some analysis, as some Of the points
are often misconstrued,
'The rule says: If either man fall
through weakness or otherwise he must
get up unassisted. ten seconds to be al
lowed him to do SO, the other man mean
while to return to his corner
This. of course. was intended to prevent
a man from standing over his fallen oppo-
nent. 1t probably never occurred to the
Trainer of the rules that at times a man
either falls or is knocked down In his op-
ponents corner. II, then, the man on his
feet >retires to his corner, as the rules d.
rect. he will be standing over his fallen op-
poneEt. ana doing just what the rules
mean he shall not do
TO avoid all disputes on this score, I
Will simply instruct you In case of a knock
down to retire at least ten feet from your