The San Francisco call., 1897-03-11
Reports That He Would Favor
Fitzsimmons Had Been
Circulated.
THE AUBURN.HAIRED FIGHTER
NOT PLEASED.
Wanted the Announcement Delayed
Until the Men Entered the
Ring.

CARSON, New, March 10.-The most
delicate subject in connection with the big
fight was broached to-day. when Referee
George .Siler submitted 10 Corbett and
Fitzsimmons his Interpretation of the
Oueensberry rules. Siler's communica-
ton, which is in the nature of formal
letter, was not received with manifesto
tions Of Joy at either camp. The big fell
lows read their letters thoughtfully, and
reserved Judgment. If Siler had any
doubts as 10 the propriety of his action in
outlining his views at 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 and waiting
for the other to commit himself. 1t is not
unwise, however, to predict that con-
ference between Siler, Stuart and the
representatives of the principals will be
necessary before the matter of rules is
finally settled.
Mr Sier's letter, which was handed to
the public shortly after noon, was as fol-
lows:
CARSON New, March 10, 1897.
To James J. Corbett Esq. and Robert FitESim-
mons Esq, Carson City-GENTLEMEN: Herewith
Queensberry, under the provisions of which
you are to contest for the heavyweight cham
pionship of the world in this city on March
II, 1897. Accompanying the rules l hand
you some suggestions and instructions. These
are based upon careful study, research, equity
ana fairness. You are principals to what will
be the greatest contest OF modern times. You
have both trained carefully ana assIduously.
The principals and public are alike engrossed
90 an extent never before made manifest in a
like encounter While it is de parture to
ISSUE instructions TO the combatants IN q
battle like this q week in advance of the
meeting think that the Importance OF the
affair fully warrants this move. am conf
dent 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 viii belong to the victor.
To that end l herewith hand you the rules
and certain interpretations under which you
are to battle:
Rule Ito be a fair, stand-up boxing match
IN twenty-four-foot ring, or as near that size
as practicable.
Rule 2-No wrestling or hugging allowed.
Rule 3-The rounds to be of three minutes
duration and one minute time between
rounds.
Rule Al 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, 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
It 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
helpless state with his toes OF the ground
Shall be considered down.
Rule 6-No seconds or any other person to
be allowed in the ring during the rounds.
Rule 7-Should the contest be stopped by
any unavoidable interference the referee 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 boxing g
gloves OF the best quality.
Rule 9-Should glove burst or come off it
must be replaced to the referees satisfaction.
Rule 1O-A man on one knee is considered
down. and ii struck is entitled to the stakes.
Rule 11-No shoes or boots with springs al
lowed.
Rule 12-The contest in all other respects to
be governed by the revised rules of the Lon
don prize ring.
The first three rules need no comment, as
they are plain, simple and understood by al
most everybody. Rule four, however, re-
Asuires some analysis, as some of the points are
Aften misconstrued The rule says: III either
Nan fall through weakness or otherwise, he
must get up unassisted ten seconds to be al
lowed 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 opponent
1t probably never appeared to the Trainer OF
the rules that at times man neither falls or
is knocked down in his opponents corner. II,
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 will
simply instruct you in case OF knockdown to
retire a least ten feet from your fallen oppo-
nent, 10 give him an opportunity to rise.
Rule IL. which says "The contest in all
other respects to De governed by the revised
rules of the London prize ring" is l consider,
one of the most i'm portant of the twelve rules,
and appears to be the bone OF contention in
a lmost every contest 1t has been the custom m
of re ferees, myself among them, TO inquire of
the principals whether they chose to hit in
clin ches with one arm free, and also in break
aways. Invariably the principals agree not
TO hit in ciinches or in breakaways, but they
generally forget all about their agreement
and frequently violate 1T. This causes not
only the seconds but the spectators to cry
"fouIP' every time q blow is delivered in
clinch or on a breakawsy, ana causes much
trouble and argument 1t also makes the du-
ties of referee arduous and disagreeable and
keeps him continually in hot water Further
more it gives the referee an opportunity to de-
eide a contest on technical FOUL which Is
IEenerally unsatisfactory to everybody con-
'Cerned.
Neither of you, am sure, desires to win the
coming contest on a technical foul and to
avoid any such con tingency through hitting |
in clinches with tree arm and in breakaways
I will rule:
That you be permitted to hit in clinches
with one arm free, and also on breakaways. |
With this Interpretation of this rule an |
nounced a week before the contest, you will |