The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-03-16
THE GREAT PRIZE FIGHT.

Referee Siler Sends Copies Of the Rules
Under Which it is to be Fought to the
Principals-His Warnings as to Fouls.
How the Men Receive His Decisions.
Carson, New, March 10.-The most
delicate subject in connection with the
big fight was preached today when
Referee Geo. Siler submitted TO Cor
bett and Fitzsimmons his 1nterpreta-
tion Of the Q~ueensberry rules Sliers
communication, which was in the ma
lure of a formal letter, was not re-
ceived with manifestations of joy at
either camp. The big fellows read their
letters lthoughtfully and reserved
Judgment. If Siler had n doubts as
to the propriety of his action in outlih-
ing his views at this time, they must
be dissipated now. The fighters could
never have agreed upon the rules after
entering the ring. Each man appears to
be playing 'possum just now and wait
ing for the other to commit himself.
1T is not unwjse, however, to- predict
tina a conference Siler, Stuart
and the representatives of the princ1-
pals Will be necessary before the mat
ter of rules is finally settled.
Mr. SiIer's letter, which was handed
ito the pugilists shortly after noon, read
as follows:
Carson City, Nevada, March 10.
ITO James J. Corbett, Esq, and Robert
Fitzsimmins, Esq, Carson City, New:
"Gentlemen: Herewith I hand o
each the rules Of the Marquis of
Queensberry, under the provisions OF
which you are to contest for the heavy
weight championship Of the world in
Hbi 10 citu M March II 1897 Omna
ing the rules, I hand some suggestions
and instruction. These are based upon
careful study, research and fairness.
You are principals to what will be the
greatest contest Of modern times. You
have both trained carefully and aSsig-
uously. The principals and public are
alike engrossed to an extent never be-
fore made manifest in a like cOun
Will it is a departure to give inStruc-
hion to contestants in a battle like this
"a week in of the meeting, l
think tina the Importance of the affair
fully warrants this move. 1 am con-
fident that you both want to win sole
1y and wholly on your merits. Neither
of you can afford to have the slightest
suspicion of doubt cloud the title
which will belong to the victor. To
that end, I herewith hand you the
rules and certain interpretations un-
der which you are to battle:
"Rule 1. To be a fair, stand-up box
ing match in a t~wenty-four foot ring,
or as near that as practicable.
"Rlue 2. No wrestling or hugging al
lowed.
Rule 9. The rounds to be Of three
mute duration, and one minute be-
tween rounds.
"Rule 4. If either man fall through
weakness or otherwise, he must get
up unassisted, ten seconds to be allow
ed him to do so, the other mar mean
yxrhi1n M r-nf11v~n fO hic CORNER and when
THE fallen man is on his legs, the round
ds to be resumed and continued until
h three minutes have expired. If one
mar fails to come to the scratch in
THE ten seconds allowed, it shall be
in the power Of the referee to give his
award in favor of the other man.
"Rule 5. A man hanging on the ropes
in a helpless state with his toes off the
ground, shal be considered down.
Rule 6. No seconds or any other
person to be allowed in the ring during
the rounds.
"Rule Z. Sshould the contest be stop
ped by and unavoidable interference
the referee to name time and place, as
soon as possible, for finishing the con-
test so that the match must be won or
lost, unless 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 9. Should a glove burst or
come off, it must be repaired to the ref
eree's satisfaction.
rule 10. One man ON one n is
considered down, and if struck the
man is entitled to the stakes.
Rule II. No shoes or boots with
springs allowed.
Rule II. The contest in all other re-
spects to be governed by the revised
rules of the LondO prize ring.
"R,la 70 which Saws. THE contest in
all other respects to be governed by the
revised rules Of the London prize ring
Is, I consider n of the most important
of the twelve rules, and appears to be
the bone of contention in almost every
contest. 1t has been thrust on all ref
erees, myself among them, to inquire
of the principles whether they choose
to hit in clinches with one arm free
and also on break-aways. Invariably
the principles agreed not to hit in
generally forget all about their agree
ment and frequently violate it.
This. then, causes not only their sec
onds, but the spectators to cry foul
every time a blow is delivered in a
clinch or on a break-away, and causes
makes the duties Of a referee arduous
and disagreeable and keeps him con-
tinually in hot water. Furthermore, it
gives the referee an opportunity to de-
eide a contest on a technical foul, which
is generally unsatisfactory to every
body concerned. Neither Of Ou, I am
sure desire to win the coming contest
on a technical foul, and to avoid. such
contingency, through hitting in clinch-
es with a free arm and break-aways,
I will rule: That you be permitted to
hit in clinches with one arm free and
also OF b~reak-aways. With this inter-
probation of this rule announced a
week before the contest, you will both
have time to practice this important
point and will have no u for COM
plant should either Of you be caught
of your guard. Pivot blows, missing
with either hand and whipping back
with the elbow, meeting an opponent
with or deliberately striking him with
the elbow or knee, are barred and will
be considered foul. Should any Of the
above blows have any material effect
on the result Of the contest I shall use
judgment accordingly.
Should any of the seconds of h
principals enter the ring during a round
to render any assistance to the fight