New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-25
Promoters Laud Work of State
Athletic Commission.
FEW POINTS NOT CLEAR
Various interpretations May
Crop UP Over the
Clean Break.

The boxing rules, as handed down by
the State Athletic Commission, nave
found favor with the boxing enthusiasts
I'm general and the promoters OF boxing
matches in the state. A few points In
the rules are not brought out clearly ana
as forcibly as might be, but for the most
part, IL enforced by the referees, they VIII
have the effect OF elevating the sport TO
a higher level than II now holds. The
rule governing infghting is not any too
clear, and the clean break which Is gen.
orally accepted as calling upon the men
TO step back without a hit. is likely to
cause some trouble because Of the vari-
Gus ways in which the officials will in
terpret the ruling.
Many there are who command the men
TO step back without hit, while others.
who are perfectly right, interpret the rule
as allowing the men to hit while their
hands are free. A man who fights his
way out Of a clinch, and whose hands are
clear. has a right to keep on hitting. Until
the commission defines more clearly what
is meant by a clean break a few boxers
are liable to suffer, and referees doubt
less will incur the displeasure OF the
crowds.
One reform which has found much
favor with all is the rule governing the
bandages on the hands. Prior TO the or
ganization Of the boxing commission last
year boxers entered the ring with their
hands encased In bandages which were
little short Of iron mail. Heavy rubber
tape was bound and folded many layers
deep across the knuckles. When the tape
set and was packed down tightly IL was
quite as effective as a plaster cast and
ripped the flesh Of the opponent.
Under the new ruling. however. only
cotton gauze. or bandages OF other soft
material. will be permitted, and the tire
tape will be absolutely prohibited. The
soft bandages will be just as effective. II
is generally agreed. and will do away
with much blood and what some are
pleased TO term brutality.
One promoter, who Is well known In this
city. said of the new rules: II think that
the commission is 10 be congratulated on
the new rules. II has covered the situa-
ton nicely. and boxing is sure TO pick up
in the immediate future. | think, how
ever. that the commissioners will do we'll
TO define more clearly just what they
mean by a clean break. The referee at
our club orders the boys to step back
clear, but the officials in some clubs allow
the men to go on boxing as soon as their
hands are clear, and the difference is
liable TO cause some dissatisfaction. The
rule on the bandages is good and should
have been made long ago.
THE rule on glove twisting and break
ing the padding away from the knuckles
il another good thing, for now few lads
are hurt and cut up, whereas under the
old regime an inexperienced lad would
leave the ring much In the same condition
as il he had run into fractions sausage
machine. The 10 O'Clock rule will be lived
up to at our club strictly, for We are just
as anxious TO get away early as any one
in the crowd, more so, in fact. for what
is sport for the crowd is hard work to
US"
The irrepressible Daniel Morgan had his
say on the subject. and declared that tn.
best thing the commission did was TO
make the lightweight limit l3J pounds
i've got the greatest fighter in the world
in Jack Britton," declared the silent one.
although some don't believe it," Morgan
was asked to confine his remarks to the
new rules. but he broke forth again:
"Britton is the real lightweight champion
now, and only wants a crack at McFar-
land to provo It. Raising the limit will
give lot of real men a chance at the
championship. and / am glad that some
body OF men finally saw the light Why.
Britton," continued Morgan, but The
Tribune man wandered away before
Danny could finish
Alex Brown. of the Royale Club, Of
Brooklyn, declared that under the new
rules better bouts would be insured.
Brown also commended the commission
for It's action In making the ring extend
three feet beyond the posts and making
It compulsory to pad the posts He
pointed out that under the present condi-
tons a boy was liable to serious injury
by being knocked through the ropes into
the crowd, and that death from "A frac-
| tured skull lurked in the corners with