Queensberry Rules Explained

The sport of boxing continues to thrill and captivate fans around the globe, but the rules of the sport have remained largely unchanged in the last three centuries.

In the late 1800s, the official rules of boxing were created, and we have taken a look at the rules that are still used today.

History of Queensberry Rules

Before the Queensberry Rules of boxing were implemented there were few to no rules used in competitions. Boxing contests before the 1800s were all bare-knuckle bouts, but everything changed in 1865.

Welsh sportsman John Graham Chambers drafted the rules that are now used in modern-day boxing, but they were endorsed by the 9th Marquess of Queensberry, hence the name.

Bare-knuckle boxers followed the London Prize Ring Rules, but Chambers believed the rule set was more of a brawl than a sport.

Before Chambers' intervention, boxing was considered a low-class sport, but he created a new set of rules which were approved and published in 1867.

What are the official 12 Queensberry Boxing Rules

The official Queensberry Rules consist of 12 simplified rules, which all major boxing organisations have adopted, they are as follows:

1. To be a fair stand-up boxing match in a 24-foot ring, or as near that size as practicable.

2. No wrestling 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, the boxer has 10 seconds to allow 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 count allowed, it shall be in the power of the referee to give his award in favour 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. That no shoes or boots with spikes or sprigs (wire nails) be allowed.

12. The contest in all other respects to be governed by revised London Prize Ring Rules.

Impact of the Queensberry Rules

The introduction of the Queensberry rules were criticised by fighters at first, with many preferring the old format.

However, many fighters soon changed their mind when they started using gloves and the sports popularity grew considerably across North America and Canada in the early 1900s.

The introduction of the rules helped key figures run the sport with more organisation. Boxing gloves helped fighters sustain fewer injuries, and they also attracted more fans, making the sport less brutal to watch.

Chambers' decision to introduce a round system helped fighters rest and plan their tactics better for contests. Once again, fans preferred the structured format, allowing competitors to rest and perform to a higher level.

Banning grappling and wrestling ensured that fighters had to use skill rather than power to win a fight, with the sport becoming more of an art after years of brutal punishment.