You Should Know 06.25.09: London Prize Ring Rules

Posted by John Curry on 06.25.2009

The original organized prize fighting rules.


I can punch you right?

Though there's quite a bit to know about the sport of boxing, most hardcore fans have a pretty good grasp on the ins and outs of the sport, even the casual fans seem to know a pretty good deal. Still, there's plenty of nuances, tidbits and stories that fans may not have heard, or are misinformed about. Now, our own John Curry digs in with his new series You Should Know to fill you in on what you may have missed out on or never knew. This week, we start off with some rules...

What: London Prize Ring Rules

When: 1838, Revised in 1853. Stood until Queensbury Rules were formed.

Why you should know: The beginning of prize fighting rules.

London Prize Ring rules, which were a derivative of Broughton Rules, were traditionally fought with bare knuckles and were not limited to just punching. The rules allowed for certain throws and holds to be executed much in the same way as modern Mixed Martial Arts.

The uniform was very standard; you can wear any type of clothing you would like, most commonly undershirt and pants, with certain "spiked" shoes (early cleats)permitted to be worn. In contrast with the Marquess of Queensberry Rules, a round ended when an opponent was knocked down by a punch or thrown down. Upon their hitting the ground the opponent was given thirty seconds to rest and eight seconds to "come to scratch". "Coming to scratch" simply stated that opponent must return to a line that had been scratched in the middle of wherever they were fighting. There were no round limits under these rules and the winner was declared when one man could no longer come to scratch.

Due to the gambling and violence that was common with this sport, often times they were broken up by a riot amongst members of the audience or the police. It was also not unheard of for fighters to chicken out during a fight or take dives.

The actual Broughton rules of which the London rules were relatively based:

1. That a square of a yard be chalked in the middle of the stage, and on every fresh set-to after a fall, or being parted from the rails, each Second is to bring his Man to the side of the square, and place him opposite to the other, and till they are fairly set-to at the Lines, it shall not be lawful for one to strike at the other.

2. That, in order to prevent any Disputes, the time a Man lies after a fall, if the Second does not bring his Man to the side of the square, within the space of half a minute, he shall be deemed a beaten Man.

3.That in every main Battle, no person whatever shall be upon the Stage, except the Principals and their Seconds, the same rule to be observed in bye-battles, except that in the latter, Mr. Broughton is allowed to be upon the Stage to keep decorum, and to assist Gentlemen in getting to their places, provided always he does not interfere in the Battle; and whoever pretends to infringe these Rules to be turned immediately out of the house. Every body is to quit the Stage as soon as the Champions are stripped, before the set-to.

4. That no Champion be deemed beaten, unless he fails coming up to the line in the limited time, or that his own Second declares him beaten. No Second is to be allowed to ask his man's Adversary any questions, or advise him to give out.

5. That in bye-battles, the winning man to have two-thirds of the Money given, which shall be publicly divided upon the Stage, notwithstanding any private agreements to the contrary.

6. That to prevent Disputes, in every main Battle the Principals shall, on coming on the Stage, choose from among the gentlemen present two Umpires, who shall absolutely decide all Disputes that may arise about the Battle; and if the two Umpires cannot agree, the said Umpires to choose a third, who is to determine it.

7. That no person is to hit his Adversary when he is down, or seize him by the ham, the breeches, or any part below the waist. A man on his knees is to be reckoned down.

So there you have it - The London Prize Ring Rules. Hopefully you have a little understanding now as to how they came to be. Perhaps you didn't know they existed, or knew about how they originally came to be...well now you know!