The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-03-11
RULES OF: THE FIGHT.
Referee Sllar Sends to Fliz and Corblti
His Interpretation Of Them.
NEITHER OF The FIGHTERS LIKE THEM
1t IL Probnbie Tint Tho Anmounec.
incnt OF. tho Nulcs VIII Cnuse n
Flood OF Orntory from Each Camp
Marquis sorQRocnsbcrry aud Lon.
don PriGc Ring Rules Followed.

Carson. New, March 10.-rhe most de-
.ca.e u..e subject III connection with the big
nsht was broached to-day when Re-
1eree George Siler submitted to Corbett
anu tdtHslmmons his Interpretation or
the Quecnsberry rules.
Sl!er'S communication, which was In
the nature Of a formal letter, was not
received with manifestations Of 10y at
either camp. The big fellows read their
letters thoughtfullyi and reserved tudE-
mcnt. If Silcr had any doubts as 10
the propriety OF his action In outlining
ms views at this time, they must be dis
sipated now. The fighters could never
have agreed upon the rules after enter
ing the ring. Each man appears to be
phlElnS possum just now and waiting
1or the other to commit himself. 1t is
not unwise, however. to predict that q
conference between Siler, Stuart and
me representatives Of the principals
WIZ be necessary, before the matter Of
| rules is finally settled
SlLER'S INTERPRETATION
MI. Siler's letter, which was handed Ia
lhe DugiliSts shortly after noon. ranfi
| as follows:
carson City. New, March 10, 1897.
70 James j. Corbett, ESQ, and Robert
fil|Simmons, Esq. Carson City, New, :
gentlemen Herewith I hand you
each the rules OF the Marquis OF Queens
Derry under The provisions OF which Won
are 10 contest for the eavy-weight t
on March II. 1897. ACCOMMODATING The
rules hand you some suggestions and
instructions. These are based upon
caFelu! study. research, equity anu fair
ness, You are principals to what will
be the latest contest OF modern times,
You have both truincd carefully and
assiluOusly. I u -
Thc principals and public are alike en-
crossed to an extent never before made
manifest IN like encounter While 1t
departure to give Instructions to
contestants IN battle like this, q week
IN advance Of the meeting, 1 think that
the importance OF the affair fully war
rants this move. ] am confident that
you both want to win solely and wholly
on your merits. Neither Of you can ar
tord TO have the slightest suspicion OF
DOUBT cloud the title which viii belong
to the victor .
THE, RULES.
TO that end herewith hand vol, ,he
rules and certain Interpretations under
which you are to battle:
Ruie Ito be fair, stnnd-up boxing
match In a twenty-four foot ring, or as
near That as practicable.
itule 2.-NO wreSt ling oT hllrpinp n,
lowed. 17e''-7
Ruie 3-The rounds 10 be OF three
minutes duration and one minute time
between rounds.
fule 4-lf either man fall. through
"eakneSs or otherwise. he must get up
unass:sted, ten seconds to be allowed
MN to do SO, the other man meanwhile
10 return IN 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
lallS TO come tn the scratch in the ten
seconds allowed ii shall be III the power
or the referee 10 give his award in favor
OF the other man.
Rule 5-A man hanging on the ropes in
a helpless state with his toes OFT The
ground shall he considered down.
lsuls G--Np seconds or any other per
son allowed III the ring during the
rounds. "
Rule Should the contest be stopped
by any unavoidable Interference the
referee to name time and place, as soon
s possible, for finishing the contest. so
that the match must be won or los t
unless the hackers of both men agree To
draw the stakes.
Rule s--rhe gloves to be fair sized
boxing gloves OF the best quality and
new.
Rule 9-Should glove burst or come
off 1t must be repaired to the referees
satisfaction.
Rule 10-Onc man on one knee IS con-
siderRd down. and if struck the man Is
entitled 10 the stakes.
iLule 1l--NO SnoeS or DOotS with
springs allowed.
Rule l2-lrhc contest in ali other re-
spects to be governed by the. revised
rules Of the London prize ring.
SILER'S COMMENTS.
The first three rules need no COM
ment. as they are plain, simple and I'M
derStood by almost everybody.
Rule 4, however requires some analy-
sis. as some OF the points are often mis-
construed.
The rule says: "If either man fall,
through weakness or otherwise. he must
get up, linassistcd. ten seconds to be al.
lowed him to do so, the other man mean
while TO return 10 his corner"
This. Of course. was intended to pre-
vent man from standing over his fall
len opponent. 1t probably never oc-
Cured TO the framer of the rules tha t
a times a man either falls or is Knocked
down in his opponents corner. II, then,
the man on his feet retires TO his corner,
as Tile rules direct, he will be: standing
ever his fallen opponent, and doing just
what the rules mean he shall not do.
TO avoid all disputes on this score 7
will simply instruct you in case of
knock down 10 retire at least ten feet
from your fallen opponent to give him
an opportunity 10 rise. M
Rule L., which says "the contest in
all respects TO be governed by the re-
N;sed rules OF the London prize ring Is
consider, one OF the most important of
I the twelve rules, and appears TO be the