London Prize Ring rules

The London Prize Ring rules was a list of rules drafted by Britain's Jack Broughton in 1743, governing the conduct of prizefighting/boxing for over 100 years. Fights under these rules were typically held using bare knuckles. In contrast with modern boxing rules based upon the Marquis of Queensberry rules, a round ended with a man downed by punch or throw, whereupon he was given 30 seconds to rest and eight additional seconds to "come to scratch" or return to the center of the ring and square off with his opponent once more. Consequently, there were no round limits to fights. When a man could not come to scratch, he would be declared loser and the fight would be brought to a halt, unless broken up beforehand by crowd riot, police interference or chicanery. Famous fighters of prize ring include "Bendigo," Broughton, "Deaf" Burke, "Dutch Sam," "Gentleman" Jackson, Heenan, Mendoza, Molineaux, Morrisey, Sayers, Swift, and "Yankee" Sullivan. England's last prize ring great was Jim Mace, and America's was John L. Sullivan -- both men fought under both sets of rules, with and without gloves and are considered bridges to the modern era of boxing.

Related Topics:
Jack Broughton - Boxing - Marquis of Queensberry rules - Jim Mace - John L. Sullivan

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