Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-06-26
Review. Of Sports
and Athletic News

01xA
Washington, June .2e.-Omcial army
boxing rules codifed to govern con-
\ tests among the million and a half men
in training have been issued by the wal
department commission on training
camp activities. The new code differs
radically from the regulations common
| ly in use for the last ten or fifteen
\ years and resembles more particularly
the Marquis of Queensberry rules
/ which laid stress on fast, clever night
ing. Greater credit is given to the
boxer who is aggressive in spite Of
up or clinches.
"A million and half men Of the new
army are being taught to box" says
h DR.. Joseph e. Raycroft, head of the
athletic division Of the commission
because 1t develops in them those
qualities of alertness and pugnacity
which make them better bayonet tight
ers. Success in bayonet fighting de-
ponds upon aggressive determination
and attack even moro than upon skill.
Boxing develops this aggressiveness in
offense. A rce-attacking forward
action bayonet charge means q ss per
cent quota Of fighting men returned to
safety. That il one important reason
why the new boxing rules set high
premium upon offensive rather than on
defensive fighting"
All back stepping. covering up and
purely defensive work are discouraged
under the army boxing rules and each
contestant Is made subject to penalty
for such work. This latter, recon-
mendation 10 q direct departure from
the accepted standard Of ring strategy
which puts . premium on purely de-
fensive tactics.
Emphasize Value Of Attack.
Under the now rule total of six
blows constitute the ground plan Of
the boxing program. The maintenance
Of such series of blows must be taken
into consideration In the fnal Judgment
OF points. 1.-The value Of attack can
not be overestimated and should be
considered prime factor in the allot-
inE Of points" 1t Is stipulated.
Under the army rules the referee is
shorn of much power. Many Of his
active functions have been delegated to
two Judges, each of whom is assisted
by q clerk. Fouls are clearly defined
and are within the Jurisdiction Of the
referee, who may disqualify immediate
ly any contestant for attempted un-
sportsmanlike tactics. Downs are linn
tied to the standard Of ten seconds. To
gain fast action the time limit per
round has been made two minutes in
stead Of three minutes for novice bouts.
-Four rounds will be boxed except In the
case Of divisional championship con-
tests, which may run six rounds.
The big contribution Of boxing to
military training is to develop in man
the willingness and ability to fight at
close range. Its purpose is to teach
soldiers to give and take punishment
There is close relation in the qualities
required for boxing and bayonet fight
ing. Both require agility of body,
quickness OF eye good balance and con-
troll in giving a punch or thrust and an
aggressive fighting spirit that breaks
down or weakens defense and makes
openings for an effective finish"
Develops Fighting Spirit.
An s:::.cc..s:::: fighting soldier must not
only be trained in the technique Of Of
Ieu00 auO OSlSAl0op ouI uuoL uC
Charged" with the proper fighting
spirit. We are dealing with men who
are strangers in the main to personal
-combats Of any nature and 1t Is toward
this class of soldiers that the major
portion Of athletic and boxing activities
should be directed. Forward action and
aggressiveness in bayonet fighting is
essential. Aggressive action in boxing
tends to the same end and should be
given due credit in the judging OF con-
tests.
The principal features Of the army
boxing code are as follows:
The ring. which is not to be less than
sixteen nor moro than twenty feet
square, must be enclosed by at least
three ropes. covered with cloth wrap
pings, to be stretched from four posts
properly padded. The floor OF the ring
shall extend beyond the lower ropes for
a distance of not less than two feet.
II the floor Is Of wood or other hard
substance. 1t is to be padded with mat
ting. corrugated paper or felt. or
dampened sawdust covered with tightly
stretched canvas.
Gloves in all novice contests shall
not weigh less than ten ounces, and for
trained men, bouts. eight ounces. Six
or eight ounce gloves may be used Tor
divisional championship contests.
Trained men matches are for those
who have won elimination company
championships. All contestants who
have not qualihed In elimination
matches win be regarded as novices.
length Of Army Bouts.
4 Contests for trained men are limited
70 four rounds, OF two minutes iura-
ton with IN intermissfon of one minute
between rounds for rest. II the judges
disagree the referee may at his discre-
ton call for . NTH round, limited to,
two minutes. The novice contests are
subject to the same rulings. The fnal
bouts In divisional championships shall
consist Of six rounds of three minutes
each and. no extra rounds can be or
dered.
The officials shall be referee, two
judges, two clerks. one timekeeper and
a medical oificer. The referee shall take
his position within the ring. his pri- 1
mary duty being the strict enforcement
,oG III rslies or boxing and of fair play.
He can stop al bout at any stage and
mako i deciaton Il he constderS It TOO
s sts ss n TX w ~ sss