The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-11
I'm GAY
NEW YORK
Referee George Siler Writes to Cor
bett and Fitxsimmonss

1eOfBe oiiet mas given MS hitelpietahioh
OF the Marquis OF Queensberry rules.
under which the men are To fight on
March H. He decided that the men
shall be allowed 10. strike lie clinch
with one arm free, and in the break
aways. This is generally considered TO
be more To the advantage OF Fftzsim-
mons style OF fighting than TO Corbett's.
Fitzsimmons has long declared that he
did not desire to have any hitting with
one arm free, and demanded that the
breakaways should be clean, and with
no punching. This is generally thought
to be a ruse on the part of Fitzsimmons'
crowd. ON the other hand, Corbetts
friends claim that hitting with one arm
free will exactly suit him.
Siler's letter TO the two principals In
the big fight is as follows:
Carson City, New. March TO- 1897
James j. Corbett. Esq.
Robert Fitzsimmons, Esq.
conference.-the hand you
each the rules OF the Marquis OF Queens
berry. under the provisions OF which
you are to contest for the heavyweight
championship of the world, In this city,
on March IL. 1897.
Accompanying the rules, ! hand you
some suggestions and instructions.
These are based on careful study, re-
search, equity and fairness. You are
the principals to what will be the great
est contest of modern times. You nave
both trained faithfully and assiduousiy.
The principals and the public, are alike
enGrossed to. an extent never pe1ore
made manifest in n like encounter.
While il is a departure TO issue IN
structions TO the combatants In pat
tie like this, week In advance OF the
meeting, l think the imphrfance of the
affair fully warrants this move.
/ am confident that you both want TO
win. solely and wholly on your merlts.
Neither of you can afford to have the
slightest suspicion of doubt cloud the
title which will belong to the victor.
To that end j herewith hand you the
rules and certain interpretaticns under
which you are to battle.
A copy of the Marquis OF Queensberry
rules was sent with the letter, which
continues as follows:
The first three rules need no comment,
as they are plain, simple ana uhueI
stood by almost everybody. kule =.
however requires some analysis, as
some OF the points are often miscon-
strued. The rule says:
IF either man falls, through weak
ness or otherwise, he must get up, un-
assisted. 10 seconds TO pe allowed to do
SO, the other man, meanWhlle, TO return
to his corner"
This of course was intended to pre-
vent a man from standing over his fallen
opponent; il probably never occIrred TO
the framer of the rules that, at times,
man either falls or is knocked down In
his opponents corner. If, then, the man
on his feet retres to his corner, as the
rules direct he WIN 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 instruct you, in case OF
knockdown, TO retire at least 10 feet
from your fallen opponent, to give him
an opportunity TO rise.
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 i'm
portant OF the IL rules and appears to be
the bone of contention in almost every
contest. 1t has been the custom Of
referees. myself among them. to inquire
of the principals whether they chose
to hit In clinches, with one arm free, and
also on breakaways. Invariably the
principals agree not TO hit in clinches
or on breakaways, but they generally
forget all about their agreement, AMI
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
a hreakaway, and causes much trouble
and argument. II also makes the
duties Of q referee arduous and disagree
able, and keeps him continually in hot
water. Furthermore, 1t gives the ref
cree an opportunity to determine a
contest on a technical foul which is
generally unsatisfactory to everybody
concerned. Neither Of you. am sure,
desire 20 win the coming contest on a
.s1.. .ts.,I q n
tingency, through hitting in clinches
with free arm. and in breakaways, 7
Will rule that you be permitted 10 hit in
ciincheS, with one arm free, and also
In breakaways. With this interpre-
tation. this rule Is announced week be-
fore the contest You will both have
ample time to practice these important
points. and will have no cause for COM
plaint, should either OF you be caught
off his guard. Pivot blows missing
with either hand, and whipping back
with the elbow meeting an opponent
with, or deliberately striking him with
the elbow. on knees, are barred, and will
he considered foul. Should any of the
above blows have any material effect on
the result Of the contest, shall use my
judgment accordingly.
Should 9ny OF the seconds Of either of
the principals enter the ring during a
round TO render any assistance 10 the
- VI W pitNtht tntln from CONF
nitting foul, or 90 throw water upon
them. II shall be considered a foul
Coaching by the seconds during the
round is Objectionable 10 everybody, and
Is apt TO create dIscord and argument
Both of YOU have undoubtedly mapped
out your plans OF attack and defense
and need no advice from your respective
seconds. The latter will. therefore. re-
frain from any comment during the con-
test. Trivial fouls may he uninten-
tlonally committed by either Of you.
which, unless they have a direct bearing
on the result. win be overlooked by me
at my discretion. This, ] believe. COW
ers all important points. Both OF you
are thoroughly familiar with the Mar
quis of Queensberry rules. not touched
upon by me, and hope TO see you both
live strictly up TO them.
With fair field, no favors. no pre-
judices, I remain.
Yours very truly.
Geo. Siier.
Referee.
Duplicate copies Of siier's letter were
made, and copy was sent 10 both Cor
kNtt ..A