BERSHADSKY’S BOXING CHRONICLES: THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF THE SPORT OF BOXING



 


 


 The Marquess of Queensberry

 

In boxing, as in all other aspects of life, each one of us may be fortunate enough to know a person who not only holds our deepest respect and admiration, but also that of his or her peers. Whether through acts of kindness, courage, or simply through what may seem like superhuman feats, these people earn our respect and sometimes even our love. They inspire us to be better, to test our own limits of courage and strength, while blindly believing that nothing is impossible. This is why we should never forget these people or the incredible things they accomplished.

As far as boxing in particular is concerned we should do well to remember those individuals who made the sport what it is today because I believe that to have a real understanding of boxing we must first know its history and origins. We must know how it began so we can observe how it has evolved. So from this moment on, every week -through my Boxing Chronicles- we are going to attempt to provide you with a brief glimpse into boxing history.

I thought it would be most appropriate that as the first official chronicle I would write about two men that were instrumental to shaping the sport into the “sweet science” we know and love today. These two men are John Sholto Douglas, better known as the Marquess of Queensberry, and John Graham Chambers. The reason why I chose to include both men in this article is because it is practically impossible to talk about one without talking about the other since both names are forever connected in boxing history.

Born in 1844, John Sholto Douglas a Scottish nobleman, is primarily remembered for lending his name to the “Marquess of Queensberry Rules” that shaped the foundation of modern boxing. In present day terms Douglas was in fact a sponsor of the rules which perhaps needed his name and prestige to give them credibility. While his contribution may seem miniscule we may do well to remember that without his backing the rules may have been disregarded as insignificant, thus destroying or at least delaying the evolution of boxing.

Despite receiving very little recognition, John Graham Chambers made perhaps the single most important contribution to boxing ever when he devised the “Marquess of Queensberry Rules.” Born in Wales in 1843, Chambers first met Douglas when he attended Magdalene College at Cambridge. Both shared a strong affinity for boxing and in 1860 the two men would become the founders of the Amateur Athletic Club. In 1867, their love for boxing would force one man to create new rules for the sport and the other to sponsor them. Chambers created a set of twelve rules which turned boxing into the refined and more skillful version we see today. He turned boxing from a brutish spectacle into the “sweet science.”

The Marquees of Queensberry Rules:

1. To be a fair stand-up boxing match in a 24-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's time between rounds.

4. If either man falls through weakness or otherwise, he must get up unassisted, 10 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 the 10 seconds allowed, it shall be in the power of the referee to 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, 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 to name the time and place as soon as possible for finishing the contest; so that the match must be won and lost, unless the backers of both 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 revised rules of the London Prize Ring.

Now picture boxing today without these rules and then you will understand their true importance. Without these rules boxing would not really be boxing at all, but instead it would resemble a glorified cock fight. It would also mean that all the critics of boxing who call it a barbaric sport would be right. Well, luckily for us, we have rules that make this sport both beautiful and terrifying at the same time. And this is where its appeal truly lies. While boxing began long before Douglas and Chambers were even born, they turned it into something unique, something special. And for this, these two men deserve to be remembered in boxing history.

P.S. If any readers would like for us to cover a subject that is of particular interest to them, please feel free to e-mail us with requests or suggestions. We will do our best to accommodate all requests that fall in line with the purpose of the chronicles. Thank you!

3-2-2005

 

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