The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-11

that the breakaways should be clean
and with no punching. This is gener-
ally thought to be a ruse on the part
of the Fitzsimmons crowd. On the
other hand, Corbett's friends claim that
hitting with one arm free will exactly
suit him. Siler's letter to the two
principles in the big fight is as fol-
lows:
Herewith, 1 hand you each the rules of the
Marquis of Queensberry, under the provisions
of which you to contest for the heavy
weight championship Of the world, in this
city, March H. 1897. Accompanying the
rules. l hand you some suggestions and in
structions. These are based on careful study,
research, equity and fairness. You are prin-
cipals to what will be the greatest contest
of modern times. You have both trained
faithfully and aSsiduousy. The principals
and the purse have alike engrossed pubic at
tention to an extent never before made mani
fest in a like encounter.
While it Is a departure to issue instruc-
tiOns to the combatantS of a battle like this
a week in advance of the meeting, 1 think
the Importance of the affair fully warrants
this move | am confident that you both
want to win solely and wholly on your merits.
Neither of you can afford to have the slight
est suspicion of doubt cloud the title which
will belong to the victor. To that end,
herewith hand you the rules and certain in
terpretations under which you to battle:
copy of the Marquis of Queonsberry rules
was sent. with the letter, which continues
as follows:
The first three rules need no comment, as
almost everybody
Rule 4 requires 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 unasssted, ten
seconds to be allowed to do so; the other
man meanwhile to return to his corner"
This. of course, intended to prevent
man from standing over his opponent; it
probably never occurred to the Trainer of the
rules that at times a man either falls or is
knocked down in his opponents corner. If,
1hen' the man on MS rect ret1res to his cor
ner, 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 in
struct you, in case of breakdown, to
tire at least ten feet from your fallen OPP
ponent, to give him an opportunity to rise.
Rule Y. which says: The contest in all
other respects to be governed by the re-
vised rules Of the London prize ring" is
consider one of the important of the twelve
rules, and appears to be the bone of conten-
ton in almost every contest. 1t has been
the custom of referees myself among them,
to inquire of the principals whether they
choose to hit in clinches with arm free,
and also on break-aways. Invariably, the
principals agree not to hit in clinches or on
break-aways. but they generally forget all
about their agreement and frequently violate
it.
rThis. then, causes not only the seconds, but
the spectators, to cry foul every time a
blow is delivered in a clinch or on a break
away, and causes much trouble and argu-
ment. 1t also makes the duties of a referee
aIuuOuS ana Q1SagreeaDle, ana Keeps MN con-
tinually in hot water. Furthermore 1t gives
the referee an opportunity to determine
contest on technical foul which is general
ly unsatisfactory to everybody concerned.
Neither of you, l am sure. desire to win the
coming contest on technicality, and to avoid
any such contingency, through hitting in
clinches, with free and in a break
away, l will rule:
That you be permitted to hit in clinches
with one arm free. and also in breakaways.
With this Interpretation of this rule an
nounced a week before the contest YOU will
portant points, 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 DELHI
eratey striking him with the elbow or knees
are barred. and will be considered foul.
Should any of the above blows have any
material effect the result of the contest, 1
shall use my judgment accordingly.
Should any of the seconds of either of the
principals enter the ring during a round to
render any assistance to the fighters. pre-
vent them from committing a foul or to
throw water upon them, it shall be considered
@ foul.
Coaching by the seconds during the rounds
is Objectionable to everybody. and is apt to
have undoubtedly mapped out your plans OF
attack and defense. and need no advice from
your respective seconds. The latter will
therefore. refrain from making any comment
during the contest.
Trivial fouls may be Internationally COM
Initted by either Of you, which. unless they
have a direct bearing on the result VIII BE
overlooked by me at my discretion. This,
believe, covers all the important Points. Both
of you are thoroughly acquainted with the
Marquis Of QueensOerry rules not touched
upon by me, ard hope to sec you both live