The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-03-11
Law Is LAID DOWN
REFEREE SILER INTREPRETS THE
RULES OF THE RING.

Rule 4, Marquis of Quesnsbury. Is Con
strued Literally In Favor OF q Fallen
Fighter - Rule 1a, Referring Point.
Rules, Is Used to Let ia Work in
CIinches With One Arm Free, and iu
Breakaways What All Concerned Say
of siIer's Interpretation.
Carson, New, March 10.-Reteree
George Sier today gave out his inter
probation of tie Marquis of Oueensbury
rules, under which the men are to fight
on March II. He has decided that the
men shall DE allowed ia strike in Il
clinch with one arm free, and In break
eways. This, 1t is generally believed,
will be more TO the advantage of FitL-
simmons style Of fighting than to Coz
belts. Fitzsimmons has long declared
that he did not desire TO have any hit
ting with one arm free and demanded
that the 5reakaways should be clean
and with no punching. This is general
iy thought to be ruse on the part of
me Fitzsimnnons crowd. On the other
hand, Corbett's friends claim that hit
ting with one arm free will exactly suit
him.
SILER'S LETTER.
Siler's letter to the principals Of the
dgnt is as follows:
Carson City, New, March 10.
ITO James J. Corbett, Esq, and Robert
Fitzsimmons, Esq.
"Gentlerlsn: Herewith I hand yon
es CT the rules Of the Marquis Of Queens
bury, under the provisions OF which you
are 20 contest for the heavyweight
championship Of the world in this city
on March II, 1897. Accompanying the
rules. hand you soma suggestions and
Instructions. These are based on care
ful study, rearch, equity and fairness.
Yod are principals to what will be the
greatest contest OF modern times You
have both trained faithfully and assidu-
ously. The principals and the public
are alike engrossed to an extent never
before made manifest in like encount-
er. While it is a departure to issue in
suCctlons TO the combantants OF a bat
tie like this week in advance of the
meeting. 1 think that the Importance of
the affair fully warrants this move.
an confident that You both want TO win
solely and wholly on your merits. Meth
er Of you can afford to have the slight
rs. suspicion Of doubt cloud the title
which Will belong TO the victor. To that
end herewith hand you the rules and
certain Interpretations under which you
are TO battle"
A copy Of the Marquis of Queensbury
rules was sent with the letter, which
continues as follows:
The first three rules need TO COM
inent, as they are plain, simple. and IN
derstood by almost everybody. Rule 4,
howeve-, requires some analysis, as
some OF the points are often mysterious.
The rule says:
IL either man fall. through weak
ness or otherwise, he must get Up unas-
sisted; ten seconds to be allowed him TO |
do so, the other man meanwhile to re-
turn to his corner
This. Of course, was intended TO pre-
vent man from standing over his fall |
en- opponent: it probably never occurred |
to the Trainer of the rules that at times |!
man either falls Or is knocked down |
in his opponents corner. If then, the |
man OF his feet retires 10 his corner as
the rules direct, he will be standing over
mis- fallen opponent and doing just what |
the rules mean he shall no do.
TO avoid all disputes on this score, I |
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 arise.
Rule u. which says the contest in
all other respects is to be 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
10 be the bone Of contention in almost
every contest. II has been the custom
10 inquire of the principals whether they
choose to hit in clinches with one arm
free. and on breakaways. Invariably
the principals agree not TO hit in clinches
or on hreakaways. but they generally
forget all about their agreement, and
frequently violate it.
This then causes not only the seconds
but the spectators TO cry foul every
time blow is delivered in a clinch or
on d oreakaway and causes much
trouble and argument II also makes
the duties OF q referee arduous and dis
and keeps him continually In
hot water. Furthermore, il gives the
raferee an opportunity 10 determine a
contest on technical foul, which is gen.
orally unsatisfactory 10 everybody con-
cerned. Neither OF You. am sure. de-
sire 10 win the coming contest on a tech
n.cality. and 10 avoid any such contin-
gency through hitting in clinches with a
free arm and in breakaway, I will
rule: That you be permitted 70 hit in ;
claches with one arm free and also on ,
oreakaways.
With this Interpretation OF this rule. .
announced a week before the contest,
you Will both have ample time 70 prac-
ice these important points ard viii 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. meet !
Ing an opponent with or deliberately
striking him with. the elbow or knees are :
barred and viii be considered foul.
Should any OF the above blows have {
any material effect upon the result OF the
shall use my judgment accord E
ugly.
should any of the seconds of either a
enter the ring during any $
'ound 20 render any assistance 10 the /
lighters or prevent them from commit I
ing foul or TO throw water upon them. l
I shall be considered a foul :
Coaching BY the seconds during the /