Playing by the rules
BY RONDA ADDY

Like all sports, boxing has undergone many changes over the years. None of the changes were quite as important as the rules that were established governing the conduct of boxing. In the history of boxing, there have been three major sets of rules.

Created by Jack Broughton in 1743, the London Prize Ring rules governed boxing for over 100 years. In 1838 and 1853, the London Prize Ring rules were revised to make the original rules more gentlemanly. It is not known how many authors were involved in creating this set of rules. Finally, in 1865, the ultimate boxing rules were created.

John Graham Chambers, a member of the British Amateur Athletic Club, created the new set of rules in 1865. In 1867, the Queensberry rules for the sport of boxing were published. These new rules were called the Marquess of Queensberry rules in honor of John Sholto Douglas, the 9th marquess of Queensberry who publicly endorsed the code.

John L. Sullivan was the last fighter to win under the London Prize Ring Rules. In 1892, Sullivan lost to James "Gentleman Jim" Corbett, who became the first world champion under the Marquess of Queensberry rules. There were 12 Marquess of Queensberry rules that made the sport of boxing safer. These included:

1. The match had to be a fair stand-up boxing match in a 24-foot ring or as near that size as possible.

2. No wrestling or hugging was allowed.

3. The rounds had to last three minutes with one minute between rounds.

4. If either man fell through weakness or otherwise, he had to get up unassisted in 10 seconds, while the other man returned to his corner. When the fallen man was up on his legs, the round would resume and continue until the three minutes expired. If one man failed to come to the scratch in the 10 seconds allowed, the referee could give his award in favor of the other man.

5. A man hanging on the ropes in a helpless state, with his toes off the ground, was considered down.

6. No seconds or any other person were allowed in the ring during the rounds.

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

8. The gloves had to be fair-sized boxing gloves of the best quality and new.

9. Should a glove burst or come off, it had to be replaced to the referee's satisfaction.

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

11. No shoes or boots with springs were allowed.

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

Once the rules were accepted, boxing separated into two distinct branches, professional and Olympic. In the United States, boxing regulation is handled on the state and local level. Most of these commissions belong to the World Boxing Association (WBA), the World Boxing Council (WBC), the International Boxing Federation (IBF) or all three. The rules of all these organizations can be traced back to the Marquess of Queensberry rules.