John Graham Chambers' Rules, Sporting Fisticuffs (Marquees of Queensbury Rules)Heavyweight Joe Mesi, a relatively new comer to the fight game, had suffered several blood clots to his brain during a win against Vassiliy Jirov, more medical testing may be required for professional boxers. However, as of May, 2004, doctors have only said that they will look at the matter. Joe Mesi has expressed a desire to continue fighting, critics say he could face death if he ever fights again. However, in spite of the dangers involved, boxing may be better than the real alternative, duelling. There is reason to believe that English gentlemen quietly promoted boxing as a humane alternative to the deadly Irish Code Duello. Certainly it was promoted by the class of English gentlemen that were prone to duel, and many observers said that duelling with pistols was too dangerous a way to maintain anyone's honour. By 1867, when the John Sholto Douglas, the 9th Marquess of Queensberry lent his name to John Graham Chambers' rules, sporting fisticuffs had become a nearly perfect replacement for duelling. Rules of the London Prize Ring.It made for a satisfyingly brutal and for the loser humiliating fight but it was nearly impossible to cause permanent damage. One indication of this movement is that the rule-makers of the time promoted the rules for "amateurs," a code word for noblemen. Another is that swank clubs and gymnasia took it up with a will, leading to its present popularity. Another is that even now, there is a tradition of urging hot-headed young men to get in "the ring, and work it out." For a generation following the creation of the Queensberry Rules, bare-knuckle and glove-fights were both promoted. The bare-knuckle fights were usually held under the "New Rules" produced by the Pugilistic Benevolent Society in 1866, which had superseded the "Pugilistic Association's Revised Rules of 1853. They were often popularly referred to as the "Rules of the London Prize-Ring." In 1891, the "National Sporting Club N.S.C," a private club in London, began to promote professional glove fights at its own premises, created nine of its own rules to augment the Queensberry Rules. 1989 The International Boxing Hall of Fame Was Opened in CanastotaThese rules specified more accurately the role of the officials, and produced a system of scoring that enabled the referee to decide the result of a fight. Previously, all fights ended with a knock-out or, more usually, when one fighter was too exhausted to continue. It was thanks to the N.S.C. Rules that the sport emerged into one of skill rather than one of endurance. The British Boxing Board of Control B.B.B.C was first formed in 1919 with close links to the N.S.C., and was re-formed in 1929. The International Boxing Hall of Fame was opened in Canastota in 1989. Apart from the British Boxing Board of Control, there are so many governing bodies boxing today. In the first part of the 20th century, the United States became the centre for professional boxing. It was generally accepted that the world champions were those listed by the Police Gazette. But after 1920, the National Boxing Association (N.B.A.) began to sanction title fights. Also during that time, Ring Magazine was founded, and it listed champions and awarded championship belts. Then in the United States Several new organisations sprung to life. The N.B.A. was renamed in 1962 and became the World Boxing Association (W.B.A.). |
Boxing Governing Bodies By the ScoreThe following year, a rival body, the World Boxing Council (W.B.C.), was formed 1983, another world body, the International Boxing Federation (I.B.F.) was formed. By the end of the 20th century, a boxer had to be recognised by the three separate bodies to be the Undisputed World Champion. Regional sanctioning bodies such as the North American Boxing Federation, the North American Boxing Council and the United States Boxing Association also awarded championships. Ring Magazine also continued listing the World Champion of each weight division, and its rankings continue being of the most appreciated by fans. Phew! | |
