Boxing

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

2. No wrestling or hugging allowed.

3. The rounds to be of three minutes duration and one minute time between rounds.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

11. No shoes or boots with springs allowed.

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

The Queensbury rules included two important points: no wrestling, and the mandatory use of gloves. These considerations changed the nature of the sport completely. First, the use of gloves protected the hands to a greater extent from injury which allowed for more strikes to the head. In response to this footwork and the skill of bobbing and weaving became important. This also caused the boxers to raise them arms around their head to offer them greater protection. The second point is that the ban on wrestling also freed the hands to come up around the head and neither participant had to be concerned with being taken down.

Standard rules created a wider popular appeal which, in 1904, led to an appearance at the St. Louis Olympic Games. Then, in 1927, the National Boxing Association (NBA) was formed to overlook the sport. Since then the sport has spread worldwide and enjoys a large following in all countries.

Training concentrates on developing speed and power in hand techniques through bag and pad work. Correct timing and distancing are enhanced with sparring, which can often be tough going, even with protective gear on and this helps to toughen a boxer and prepare his body and mind to accept pain and continue to function effectively. Bags vary in size, with the larger and heavier ones being ideal for making punches stronger. Lighter bags and pads are used to develop speed and various combinations of hooks, jabs and uppercuts.

Toughened and almost totally conditioned to fight, the boxer is a fearsome foe. With none of the mental or spiritual trappings of Eastern martial arts, the boxer is totally concentrated on ending a fight in the shortest time possible and all of his training is dedicated to this end. Happiest at arm’s length, the boxer throws quick jabs to distract and opponent and when the distancing is correct he launches a series of powerful blows, each designed to knock out an opponent. The boxer is not comfortable at closer distances however, being unable to little more than clinch an opponent and tie him up to prevent a counter attack.