24; The
Queensberry rules came to dominate the sport gradually over the next 25 years; courts in England directed juries to use the
Queensberry rules to determine whether a contest was a legitimate fighting match or an unlawful encounter thereby legitimating the principles of
Queensberry rules into law.
In 1878 Foley fought in what was arguably the first legal professional match under the
Queensberry rules in Australia.
Klitschko's rise in the heavyweight division and Reid's decision to move away after two years in the wilderness have all but ended the chances of a rematch under Marquess of
Queensberry rules.
From the semi-legendary eighth-century Sholto Douglas, the Black Gray Man whose extraordinary praenomen passed down to the inventor of the
Queensberry Rules, through to James, ninth Earl of Douglas (1426-88), last in the History,the Douglases were a remarkable family, and though Hume as a 'Pensioner and wassal' of the family may have occasionally had problems in making some of their actions respectable, let alone heroic, he can have had no difficulty in making them interesting.
This year Sullivan toured the country, giving boxing exhibitions under Marquis of
Queensberry rules, and offering $500 to any person who could last four rounds with him.
Struggle to put away a supermiddleweight who is unbeaten in 13 pro contests under
Queensberry rules and eyebrows will raise.
1892: 'Gentleman' James (Jim) J Corbett beat John L Sullivan in New Orleans and became the first world heavyweight boxing champion under
Queensberry rules - with gloves and three-minute rounds.
"But this is under the Marquess of
Queensberry rules and Floyd will do whatever he likes.
The first fight took place in Aix-la-Chapelle in France, where a newspaper reported: 'The two champions were built like Hercules they entered the ring with their hands guarded with huge padded gloves.' By 1892, gloves became compulsory in the Marquis of
Queensberry rules.
"Those warriors who swapped punches on the mountainside became 'civilised' with the introduction of the
Queensberry Rules - the work of a Welshman, John Graham Chambers, although published under the name of his patron, the Marquess - and the increased use of gloves.
1892: "Gentleman" James (Jim) J Corbett beat John L Sullivan in 21 rounds in New Orleans and became the first world heavyweight boxing champion under
Queensberry rules - with gloves and three-minute rounds.
"The rules are just like the
Queensberry Rules - gentlemen's rules - we make them up as we go along.
Boxing's
Queensberry Rules were drafted by a Welshman, Llanelli-born JG Chambers (1843-83).