The New York herald., 1922-12-24
LARGER Ring URGED
BY PROPOSED CODE
Twenty-four Foot Enclosure
Required for Use Of Very
Skillful Boxers.
TO WEIGH AT RINGSIDE
Author of Regulations Takes
Strong Ground Against Box
ers Biting or Kicking.
By CHARLES f. MATHIsoN.

By CHARLES f. MATHIsON.
BY way of Christmas greeting.
James ]. Corbett, former heavyweight
champion of America. and at present
sparring for points with the drama.
has submitted for public approval a
set of boxing rules The ablest de-
fensive fighter in the history of the
American ring expresses the hope
that his rules will be generally
adopted
Perusal of the Corbett regulations
reveals the fact that they are strongly
reminiscent of the Walker law rules,
with certain radical differences.
Mr. Corbett is a trifie too late with
his proposal. in the course of which he
declares that the wide differences be-
tween rules in Europe and this coun-
try constitute a serious obstacle to the
stability of the sport.
The author OF the new rules is in
error on this point Weights are now
uniform all over the world le to the
fact that the committee Of tie Jnterna-
national Sporting Club. which drew up
the Walker law rules, adopted the Eu
ropean scale OF weights. Including eight
hours intermssion between weighing
time and entry OF the ring. Mr.. Corbett
is In favor OF ringside weighing for all
contestants. which was the most unfair
rule ever enforced The ringslde weigh
ing rule sent a boxer who had trouble
making the weight into combat in such
weakened condition he was unable to do
himself justice. and many fighter has
lost a bout solely for the reason that
ringside weighing untitled him to fight
az his best.
Under the present humane rule all
49, z;.xl>t t... Ntot.4
gain their strength following severe
training work.
Corbetts scale of weights calls for ten
pounds difference between the classes.
with flyweight at 10 pounds bantam
120. feather 130, light 40, welter $50,
middle $50. and light heavy IT'S. This is
no Improvement over the prasent inter-,
national scale of 112 for flyweight, 11S
for bantam. 1876 feather. 1876 light 147
weiter. 100 middle. and It's light heavy
IN fact the Junior championship scale of
weights eliminates the Corrett scale.
Mutual Consent scheme.
The proposal that non-championship
matches may be made vi the basis OF
weight agreements between the con-
testants is amusing Contenders for
various titles who cannot make the
weight in matches preliminary to title
contenders."
So far as differences In rules in the
United States are concerned the chief
variation refers 10 the decisions on
points at the end of contests. \ few
States which copied the Frawley law
still refuse to permit referees or judges
TO name winners on points. Yet nearly
all big boxing centers now allow deci-
sions. as boxing officials all over the
country realize that a champion boxer
or a runner up for title will not do
his best in the ring unless he knows he
may lose the contest through a decision
on points.
Each boxer shall have seconds" says
the generous Mr.. Corbett. and for their
conduct he shall be held responsible.
Nothing could be more absurd. The box
ing laws Of the various States prescribe
exactly what seconds shall or shall not
do, and II takes a deputy commissioner.
two inspectors and q band of special
police 20 keep In fair measure of sub
lection the bowling dervishes in the
ring corners boxer should not be
saddled with any such responsibility In
fact he has enough to do in fighting the
other boxer.
Hitting In CIinchcs.
Corbett's rules permit hitting in the
crfnches and on tho breakaway. Inter-
national rules prohibit any such thing. So
long as clinching is not penalized (and
the rules OF every country authorize ref
erees TO warn and disqualify offenders)
81 would be long step backward TO per-
init clinchers TO hold and hit. 1t would
be very unfair TO allow "A clincher TO hit
when coming out OF hugging match.
Mr.. Corbett justly insists that It shall
be foul TO bite an opponent, kick him.
step on his toes or throw him out OF the
ring.
Corbett appears 20 think that matches
should be arranged and conditions set
tied by mutual consent OF the boxers"
This was the order OF procedure when
Corbett was in his prime as boxer. ana
sxne OF the matches OF those days we're
wonderful and fearful affairs.
Regarding decisions on points Corbett
rules that the verdict shall go to the
boxer who has scored the greatest num-
Der OF clean hits with the knuckles Of
his closed hands. This is Illuminating.
corbett hit sullivan if,TS9 clean blows
without a return. Corbett hit F'itz 1876
times and Fftz hit PompadoW Jim/but
once. Yet Fitz got the decision. Coroett
hit JEFF 12.4e7 clean blows ~ Coney
Island and JEFF hit Corbett but once
Yet JEFF was declared tho winner.
Corbett also is IN favor Of larger rings
and insists none should be less than
twenty feet square and II possible
twenty-four feet square. The larger the
ring the better the chance for de-
fcnsive boxer with a pair OF active rect.
In fact. Mr.. Corbetts rules are Wen
designed TO aid clever defensive fighters
OF the Corbett type.
In reference TO title holders Mr..
Corbett sustains tho action OF, Chairman
Muldoon rs regards Kilbsne and Wilson.
Corbctt declares that champions who
fail TO defend titles every six months
should forfeit their. honors. Corbett.
however, fails 10 explain how the title
shall be forfeited or who shall enforce
tho forfeiture. Mr.. MuIdoon held, the
opinion that as Wilson and Kibane re-
fused TO fight. and as no one appeared
willing TO compel them TO fight or re-
tire. Il devolved on the New York COM
mission TO take action.
In substance Mr.. Corbett's rules have
no interest for the public, barring the
single fact that the author was once the
cleverest heavyweight boxer in America.
Ts~I,,,s Cbnnpion Walker