The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-11
OF BATTLE.
Which Are to Govern the Fight
at Carson
Are Promulgated by Referee
George Siler.
CORBETT AND FITZ
Are Served With Copies in a
Letter From SiIer.
\
Neither Seems Very Well
Pleased With the Programme.

carson, New, March 10.-Referee
George Siler has given out his interpre-
tation of the Marquis of Queensbury
rules under which the men are to fight
on March II. He has decided that the
men shall be allowed to strike in a
clinch with one arm free, and on break
Always. This it is generally believed
will be more to the advantage of Fitz-
simmons style of fighting than to Cor
belts. Fitzsimmons has long declared
that he did not desire to have any hit
ting with one arm free, and demanded
that the breakawayS should be clean
and with no punching. This is gener-
ally thought to be a ruSe on the part
of FitzSimmons' crowd On the other
ting with one arm free will exactly
suit him. Siler's letter to the two
principals is as follows:
Carson City, New, March 10.
To James ]. Corbett, Esq, and Robert
FitzsimmOns, Esq:
Gentlemen: I herewith hand you
each the rules of the Marquis of
Queensbury, under the provisions of
weight championship of the world in
this city on March IT, 1897. Accom-
panying the rules, I hand you some
suggestions and Instructions These
are based on careful study, research,
equity and fairness. You are princi-
pals to what will be the greatest con-
test of modern times. You have both
trained faithfully and aSsiduously.
The principals and the public are alike
engrossed to an extent never before
made manifest in a like encounter
While it is departure to issue instruc-
ttons to the cOmbatantS of a battle like
this a week in advance of a meeting
I think that the Importance of the af-
fair fully warrants the move. I am
solely and wholly on your merits
Neither of you can afford to have the
slightest suspicion of doubt clouding
the title which will belong to the vic
tor. To that end I herewith hand you
the rules and certain interpretations
under which you are to BATTLE
copy of the Marquis of Queensbury
rules was sent with the letter, which
continues as follows:
THE first three rules need no COM
ment, as they are plain, simple and
understood by almost everybody. Rule
four, 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 al
lowed him to do so, the other man
meanwhile to return to his corner
This of course was intended to pre-
vent man from standing over his fall
len opponent; 1T probably never &C.
CURED to the Trainer of the rules that
at times man either falls or is knock
ed down in his opponents corner. If
then, the man on his feet retires to his
corner as the rule directs, he will be
standing over his fallen opponent and
doing just what the rules mean he
should not do.
ITO avoid all disputes on this score,
I will simply instruct you in case of
knock down to retire at least ten feet
from your fallen opponent to give him
an opportunity to arise.
Rule II, 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 II rules, and appears to be the
bone of contention in almost every con-
test. 1t has been the custom to in
quire of the principals whether they
choose to hit in clinches with one arm
free and also on break-ways. Invaria-
bly, the principals agree not to hit in
clinches or on break-ways but they
generally forget all about their agree
ment and frequently violate it. This
then causes not only the seconds but
the specta tors to cry foul every time
a blow is delivered in clinch or on
break-away and causes much trouble
and argument. 1t also makes the du-
ties of a referee ardous and disagreed
BILE and keeps him continually in hot
water. Further it gives the referee an