Take a quick browse of the supposed rules of modern boxing and tell me whether you think they are enforced or not. The Queensbury Rules [FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]1. To be a fair stand-up boxing match in a twenty-four foot ring or as near that size as practicable.[/FONT][FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]2. No wrestling or hugging allowed.[/FONT][FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]3. The rounds to be of three minutes duration and one minute time between rounds.[/FONT][FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]4. If either man fall through weakness or otherwise, he must get up unassisted, ten seconds be allowed 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 the ten seconds allowed, it shall be in the power of the referee to give his awart in favour of the other man.[/FONT][FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]5. A man hanging on the ropes in a helpless state, with his toes off the ground, shall be considered down.[/FONT][FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]6. No seconds or any other person to be allowed in the ring during the rounds.[/FONT][FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]7. Should the contest be stopped by any unavoidable interference, the referee (is) to name the time and place as soon as possible for finishing the contest, to that the match can be won and lost, unless the backers of the men agree to draw the stakes.[/FONT][FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]8. The gloves to be fair-sized boxing gloves of the best quality and new.[/FONT][FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]9. Should a glove burst, or come off, it must be replaced to the referee's satisfaction.[/FONT][FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]10. A man on one knee is considered down, and if struck is entitled to the stakes.[/FONT][FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]11. No shoes or boots with springs allowed.[/FONT][FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]12. The contest in all other respects to be governed by the revised rules of the London Prize Ring.[/FONT] My biggest problem is with rules # 1 & 2. Lots of fights in 15 foot rings these days and if there's a difference between hugging and clinching someone please enlighten me.
Now you're just adding to my problems!:nut All kidding aside, I guess you have a point there, but that's what I'm trying to figure out. What is the interpretation of the rules? I would think that if a fighter is draped over the back of another fighter ( very common these days ) and he "falls" it's deemed due to a push and not fatigue. But what about the hugging thing?
For what it's worth, I googled it and cut and pasted the article. I looked at a few and they were the same word for word.
They are clearly not the original rules, as in rule four; it says a fighter should return to his corner in an event of a knockdown; that rule was not changed until the 20s, eh Jess!
Yeah, 7 made me chuckle also, however, I don't see what's not to get in rule 11. Spring loaded shoes do/did exist and were found to be extremely advantageous, hence the rule. Still hoping someone can tell me the difference between hugging and clinching.
Yes I've seen the Dempsey / Willard fight. Could you please post the original rules for me then because after an hour of searching the net what I posted was all I could find. I also think for the most of the knockdowns Jack was in HIS corner rather than a neutral corner as the rules are enforced nowadays. Perhaps this was the bout that lead to the change. p.s. A couple of years later the referee Oliver Pecord was "blowed up real good" in an accident searching for a gas leak in his house... with a match! What bad luck.
hugging you are grabbing the body usually using your own weight to tell on thm and tire them. a clinch should be tieing your man up after both men dont have any distance to punch. depends on the circumstances i guess
Yeah, I guess that's it. I just rewatched Lewis vs Akinwande the only fight I know of where there was a dq due to excessive holding, and Aki was practically bear hugging lewis. Henry got a couple of good shots off too, but I guess he knew he was in over his head.
In Mexico refs usually don't hesitate to call a fight for hugging or excessive running. As far as Hatton in concerned is he a hugger or clincher..?
Ah yes, as a result of the famous "Kangaroo" Jack Williams vs "Earless" Fred Jackson fight of 1892. Where Williams leapt clean over Jackson then punched him in his astonished face on the way back down. Terrible business. To say nothing of the bizarre goings on in the boxing career of Jerry "Springer" Spengler either...
