Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-03-11
RULES OF THE GREAT FIGHT
SiIer lndicts Letters To the Two
PugiIists.
HIS VIEWS OF THE RULES
Which Will Govern the Greatest Contest Ever
Known--Twelve Points Which Are
Plain and UnVarnshed.
lis VIEWS OF THE RULES

cate subject in connection with the big
fight was broached today when George
Siler, the referee, submitted to Corbett
and Fitzsimmons his Interpretation Of
the Queensberry rules. Siler's communi-
cation wich was in the nature of form
al letter, was not received with mani
fiesta tions of joy al either camp. The big
fellows read their letters thoughtfully
and reserved judgment. If Siler had any
doubts as to the propriety of his action
in outlining his views al this time, they
must be dissipated now. The fighters
could never have agreed upon the rules
after entering the ring. Each man ap-
pears to be playing possum just now ana
waiting for the other to commit him.
self. 1t is not unwise, however, 10 pre-
dict that a conference between Slier,
Stuart and the representatives OF the
principals will be necessary before the
matter of rules Is finally settled. Mr.
Siler's letter, which was handed to the
pugilists shortly after noon, read as fol-
lows:
Carson City, New, March 10.
To James ]. Corbett, Esq, and Robert
Fitzsimmons, Esq, Carson City, New:
Gentlemen Herewith l hand you each
the rules of the Marquis of Queensberry,
under the provisions of which you are 10
contest for the heavyweight champion
ship of the world in this city on March
H. 1897 Accompanying the rules, l
hand you some suggestions and instruc-
tions. These are based upon careful
study. research, equity and fairness. You
are principals to what will be the great
est contest of modern times. You nave
both trained carefully and assiduously.
The principals and public are alike en-
crossed to an extent never before made
manifest in like encounter. While 1t IS
departure to give instructions to con-
testants in a battle like this a week IL
advance of the meeting, I think that the
Importance of the affair fully warrants
this move. I am confident that you both
want to win wholly and solely 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 I herewith hand you the rules
and certain interpretations under which
you are to battle:
Rule Ito be a fair, stand-up boxing
match in a twenty-four-foot ring, or as
near that as practicable
Rule 2-No wrestling or hugging al
lowed.
Rule 3-The rounds to be of three min
utes' duration, and one minute time be-
tween rounds.
Rule 4-If either man fall, through.
weakness or otherwise, he must get up.
unassisted, ten sconds to be allowed for
him to do SO, the other man meanWhiie
return to his corner and when the fallen
man is on his legs, the round is to be
resumed and continued until the three
minutes have expired. If one man fails
to come to the scratch in the ten seconds
allowed, 1t shall be in the power of the
referee to give his award in favor of the
other man.
Rule 5-A man hanging on the ropes in
a helpless state with his toes off the
ground shall be considered down.
Rule 6-No seconds or any other per-
IN ha ,11 IN ha ri,o ,rir ha
rounds.
Rule 7-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 or lost, unless the
hackers of both men agree to draw the
stakes,
Rule S-The gloves to be fair sized box
ing gloves of the best quality and new.
Rule 9-Should a glove burst or come
off, it must be repaired to the referees
satisfaction.
Rule 10-One man on one knee is con-
sidered down and if struck the man is
entitled to the stakes.
Rule 11-No shoes or boots with springs
allowed.
Rule 12-The contest in all other re-
spects to be governed by the revised
rules of the London prize ring. The
first three rules need no comment, as
they are plain, simple and understood by
almost everybody.
Rule 4, 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 a man
from standing over his fallen opponent.
1t probably never occurred to the Trainer
of the rules that at times a man either
falls or is knocked down in his oppon-
ents corner. If then, the man on his
feet retires to his corner as the rule di-
rects, he will be standing over his fallen
opponent, and doing just what the rules
mean he shall not do. To avoid all dis
putes on this score, l will 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 twelve, which says: The contest
in all other respects to be governed by the
revised rules of the London prize ring,
is, consider, one of the most important
of the twelve rules, and appears to be
the bone of contention in almost every
contest. 1t has been thrust on all ref
erees, myself among them, to inquire of
the principals whether they choose to
hit in clinches with one arm free and
also in breakaways. Invariably the prin-
cipals agree not to hit in cllnches, or on
breakaways, but they generally forget
all about their agreement and frequently
violate it. This, then, causes not only
their seconds, but the spectators to cry
"foulp every time a blow is delivered in
a clinch or breakaway and causes
much trouble and argument. 1t also
makes the duties OF referee arduOus
and disagreeable and keeps him continu-
ally in hot water. Furthermore, it gives
the referee an opportunity to decide a
contest on a technical foul which is gen.
orally unsatisfactory to everybody con-
cerned. Neither of you, I am sure, de-
sire to win the coming contest on tech
nical foul, and to avoid any such con-
tingency. through hitting In clinches with
a free arm and in -breakaways. I will
rule: That you be permitted to hit in
clinches with one arm free. and also on
bneakaways. With this interpretation
of this rule announced week before the
contest, you will both have time to prac-
tice this important point and will have
no cause for complaint should either of
you be caught off your guard. Pivot
blows missing with either hand and
whipping back with.the elbow. meeting
an opponent with or deliberately strik-
ing him with the elbow or knees are
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