Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-11
MIR. SILER'S RULES.
now THE PUGrLIsTs WILL FIGHT
AT CARSON CITY.
THE REFEREES WISDOM
II Appears That the Men Would
Never Have Agreed ON the Rcpu-
Iations After Entering the Prize
Rims,

Referee George S.ler submitted to Corbett
and FItzsimmons his Interpretation OF the
Ouconsbcrry rules. Sler's communication.
which was IN the nature Of a formal let
Ter was not received with manifestations
of ioy at either camp. The big fellows
read their letters thoughtfully, and re-
served Judgment. II Sner had any doubts
as 90 the propriety Of his action in out
lining his views at this time they must
be dissipated now The fighters could
never have agreed upon the rules after en-
tcring the ring Each man appears to be
rlavinc 'p0ssum just now. and waiting
Tor the other TO commit himself. 1t is not
unwIse. however, to predict that confer
ence between Siler Stuart. and repre-
sentatives Of the principals will be ne
eessary before the matter OF rules is final
ly settled.
Mr. Sncr's letter which was handed to
the pucilists shortly after noon, read as
follows
Carson City. New, March 10. 1897.
"James !. Corbett Esq. and Robert Fitz-
simmons Esq. Carson City. New.
"Gcntlemen.-Her / hand you each
the rules Of the Marquis of Queensberry,
under the provisions Of which you are TO
shin OF the world in this city on March II.
lV-. Accompanying the rules, I hand you
some suggestions and instructions. These
are based upon careful study, research,
equity. and fairness. You are principals
n what will be the greatest contest OF
modern times. You have both trained
carefully and assiduOusly. The principals
and public are alike engrOssed 10 an eX-
i.nt never before made manifest in a like
encounter. While IL is a departure 10
give instructions 10 contestants i'm battle
IKE this a week I'm advance Of the meet
irr / think that the Importance Of the
AFFAIR fully warrants this move. 1 am
confident that YOU both want 10 win solely
end wholly on your merits Neither of
you can afford 10 have the slightest sus-
rIrion OF doubt cloud the title which Will
belong 10 the victor. To that end. here
with hand YOU the rules and certain inter-
rretauons. under which you are 10 battle;
A BOXING-MATCH.
"Rule /. To be fair stand-up box
iug-match i'm a 4-foot ring, or as near
that as practicable
Rule .. No wrestling or hugging al
lowed.
"Rule 3. The rounds to be Of three
minutes duration and one minue time
between rounds.
Rule 4. II either man fall. through
weakness or otherwise, he must get up
unassisted. ten seconds to be allowed him
% DO so: the other man, mean while,
70 return TO his corner. and when the
fallen man is on his legs the round is
20 be resumed. and continued until the
three minutes have expired. If one man
fails TO come to the scratch i'm the ten
seconds allowed il shall be I'm the power
Of the referee to give his award in favor
Of the other man. VI
Rule s. A man hanging on the ropes !
fn "a helpless state. with his toes OF the !
ground. shall be considered down.
Rule s. No seconds or any other per-
son or persons to be allowed in the ring |
during the rounds.
"Rule + 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 or lost, un-
less the hackers Of both men agree TO !
draw the stakes.
"Rule 8. The gloves TO be fair-sized
boxing-gloves. OF the best quality, and |
new.
''Rule o Should a glove burst or come |
on IL must be repaired 10 the referee |
satisfaction.
"Rule 10 man on one knee is con-
sidered down. and II struck the man Is |
entitled 10 the stakes
Rule H. No shoes or boots with springs
allowed.
..Rule 70. The contest in all other re- |
sDects 10 be governed by the revised rules
Of the London prize-ring.
'sILER RULES.
'The first three rules need no comment.
as they are plain, simple, and understood /
hv almost everybody Rule T. however |
requires some analysis. as some of the
points are often misconstrued. The rule
saws. II either man fall. through weak
ness or otherwise. ne must get up, un-
assisted. ten seconds 10 be allowed him 10
Co so. the other man mean while 10 return
to bis corner
This. of course was intended 10 pre-
Won't a man from standing over his fallen
opponent. II probably never occurred 10
The framer Of the rules that at times a
man either falls or is knocked down IN
his opp0nents corner. If then, the man
on bis feet retires 10 his corner, as tne
rules direct, be will be standing over MS
fallen opponent and doing just what the
IuIcs mean ne shall not do.
"TO avoid all disputes on this score
j viii simply instruct you. in case OF a
knockdown. to retire at least ten teet
from your fallen opponent, 10 give him
an opportunity 10 rise.
"kule ~, which says the contest IN an
other respects is 10 be governed by the
revised rules of the London pflle-IlhS, -
! consider. one Of the most important OF
the twelve rules. and appears TO be the
bone OF contention in almost every con-
test. IL has been thrust on all referees
myself among them, 10 inquire OF the
principals whether they choose TO hit III
clnches with one arm free and also on
treakaways. Invariably the principals
agree not TO hit in clinches or on break
hways. but they generally forget all about
their agreement. and frequently violate H.
This then. causes not only their Sc
con1s but the spectators, TO cry lou.
every time "a blow is delivered I'm a clinch
or on breakaway. and causes mueh
trouble and argument. IL also makes the
duties OF "a referee arduous and disagree
able and keeps him continually In not
water Furthermore. II gives the referee
an opportunity 10 decide contest on
technical foul. which Is generally unsatls-
factory 10 everybody concerned.
HITTING IN CLINCHES.
'Nether Of you. / am. sure. desires TO
VIII the coming contest on a technical
foul and 10 avoid any such contingency
through hitting I'm clinches with free
arm and breakaways 1 will rule that you
b. permitted 20 hit in clinches with one
ann free and also on breakaways. with
This Interpretation Of this rule announced
q week before the contest. you will both
have time 70 practice this important point
ana viii fave no cause for complaint
should either Of you be caught of your
guard
a.