Marquis of Queensberry Rules

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This article originally was published on June 25, 2019 for viewing on www.dmboxing.com

By David Martinez  / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

Arguably, the most important piece of boxing writing was by John Graham Chambers in 1865, a member of the Amateur Athletic Club in London, England .

Chambers wrote twelve rules to govern the conduct of boxing matches which would end the governed structure of bare-knuckle fighting.

John Sholto Douglas, eighth Marquis of Queensberry, was responsible for putting these rules into effect and gained fame with his sponsorship and by lending his name to the title . The new rules thus would supersede the Revised London Prize Ring Rules, which were written by Jack Broughton in 1743.

The first fight that applied Queensberry Rules was the heavyweight championship when Jim Corbett knocked out John L . Sullivan in twenty-one rounds to win the title at the Olympic Club in New Orleans on September 7, 1892.

RULE 1 — To be a fair stand-up boxing match in a twenty-four foot ring, or as near size as practicable .

RULE 2 — No wrestling or hugging allowed.

RULE 3 — The rounds to be of three minutes’ duration, and one minute time between rounds .

RULE 4 — If either man fall through weakness or otherwise, he must get up unassisted, ten seconds to be allowed him to do so, the other man meanwhile to return to his corner, and when the fallen man is on his legs the round is to be resumed, and continued until the three minutes have expired . If one man fails to come to the scratch in 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, shall be considered down .

RULE 6 — No seconds or any other person to be allowed in the ring during rounds.

RULE 7 — Should the contest be stopped by any unavoidable interference, the referee to name the time and place as soon as possible for finishing the contest; so that the match be won and lost, unless the backers of both men agree to draw the stakes .

RULE 8 — The gloves to be to fair-sized of the best quality and new.

RULE 9 — Should a glove burst, or come off, it must be replaced to the referee’s satisfaction .

RULE 10 — A man on one knee is considered down, and if struck is entitled to the stakes.

RULE 11 — No shoes or boots with springs allowed .

RULE 12 — The contest in all other respects to be governed by revised rules of the London Prize Ring.

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