"BRUTAL” BOXING.

Evening Star, Issue 14003, 9 March 1909, Page 3

"BRUTAL” BOXING.

SUGGESTED NEW RULES. [Feoji Qdb Special Correspondent.] JiONDON, January 22. The decision of Mr Wood, the Chief Secretary of New South Wales, to prohibit in-fighting and to otherwise tone down the brutalities of contest under the old-fash-k>ned Queensberry rules, must meet with the entire approval of all lovers of the noble art of self-defence. It seems to me, however, that Mr Wood is too timorous in his endeavors to make the manly sport of boxing acceptable to the. present generation of sportsmen. His ideas on the subject of in-fighting are excellent, but the abolition of in-fighting alone, and the mere adding of a few ounces to the weight of tiro gloves, will certainly not raise the sport of boxing to the level on which we patrons of the ring desire to see it placed. Having the interests of sport in New Zealand at heart, I have taken counsel with a number of boxers who would have been world champions had the existing rules been framed with more regard to the frailty of the human frame, ancf with a view to encouraging its development among the weaklings of this world. Boxing has been declared by competent medical men to be one of the finest exercises in the world, but under the existing rules it would be impossible for any save the almost physically perfect to take part in any competition with any chance of success. Why should the weak among us be deprived of all chance of distinguishing themselves in a sport which has been declared to he most beneficial to health? Why should brutal them pern like Jack Johnson secure all the professional plums of boxing, or broad-chested, muscular smiters like “Snowy” Baker be the only ones among amateurs to secure championship' trophies? Is it fair? Is it just? I await the reader's verdict with confidence. Meanwhile, with the aid of my friends, I have drawn up a set of rules which I humbly submit to Mr Wood. So certain am I that they will meet with his entire approval that I venture to call them the “ Woodberry Rules,” for governing all boxing contests, professional and amateur, in Australasia.

All rings -shall be 48ft square, the posts to be padded with at least six inches of swansdown, "or enclosed in pneumatic csheaths ; all ropes to be bound with soft felt covered in silk. No contest shall exceed three rounds. A Tound shall not exceed one minute. At least five minutes' interval shall be allowed between each round. The gloves must not be less than 16oz, and shall be of silk padded with eiderdown.

Competitors must not hit with the right hand, which must be used solely for purposes of defence.

Aay hit which causes bleeding from nose, mouth, or old wound on face or body shall be deemed a foul. Upper cuts and half-arm blows shall be scored against the deliverer on the first occasion used; a second offence shall be deemed a wilful foul, and be punished with disqualification. Kidnev and heart punches shall be deemed fouls' and the striker disqualified. Any competitor knocking out his opponent either by means of a body blow or a blow on the point of the jaw shall be disqualified forthwith, and publicly birched by the referee.

A blow which causes a black eye or otherwise leaves any immediate mark on the recipient shall count 10 points against the deliverer. Should such become visible within twenty-four hours of the termination of the contest the referee shall have power to revise his decision if the winner delivered the blow. H the 10 points' penalty gives the loser the advantage, he shall be declared the winner, but if he is still in arrears the purse or prize shall be withheld. Any nasal blow which causes the recipient to " weep" shall be counted against the deliverer thereof, and any

body blow which, in the opinion of the referee, causes the recipient. pain shall be scored against the striker. The competitors most be medically examined before entering'the ring, and at the conclusion of each round, and any contestant whose pulse is beating at more than 80 per minute must be withdrawn. Any competitor who may. receive a blow which, whilst leaving no immediate visible marks, causes any discoloration or swelling within the space of fortyeight hours may report the fact to the referee. On satisfactory proof that such swelling or discoloration is the result of a blow delivered during the process of the contest, the referee ehall notify the deliverer of the blow, requesting him to forthwith apologise to the recipient in writing, and to pay the cost of advertising such apology in at least two local papers.

It will be readily admitted that if these rales are adopted the manly sport of boxing will be raised to the humane level of ping-pong and croquet, which are, without doubt, the least brutal sports pursued by British people. Both involve some slight risks to players, and possibly also to spectators. Under the “ Woodberry rules ” boxing would be but little more dangerous to the fighters, and the spectators would be absolutely .safe physically, and amply protected against mental pain which they may suffer when viewing contests under the Queensberry rales.