THE COMPLETE BOXER

'THE STRAIGHT LEFT AT THE HEAD

IS

THE BEST OF ALL BLOWS"

(set page bz)

THE COMPLETE BOXER

BY

J.

G.

BOHUN LYNCH
WITH A PREFACE BY

THE EARL OF LONSDALE

AND

WITH TWO CHAPTERS ON ARMY BOXING BY J. H. W. KNIGHT-BRUCE

WITH SEVENTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS

NEW YORK
FREDERICK
A.

STOKES COMPANY

PUBLISHERS

First Published in

1914

PREFATORY LETTER BY LORD LONSDALE

"LOWTHER, PENRITH.
"

MY DEAR
"
I

MR. LYNCH,
have read with
is

the greatest interest the finest description of the origin of Boxing that I have ever heard or read, and I offer you my humble compliments on the most

what

to

me

thorough and historic resume" been produced.

imagine has ever

"Your description of the origin and purposes of Boxing is of itself interesting and instructive, and accurate to a degree. Coming to the General Hints, I have read and re-read them, and I am not
word
master enough of the English language to find a that could convey a high enough estimate

of the whole of the practical advice, and they show a masterly knowledge of all that happens in the
ring.

Blows and Counter Blows are most accurately described, and anyone who follows your instructions accurately must derive the greatest
Cardinal
I also advantage, not to say instruction. with what you say about Knock-Out entirely agree Blows,' but to my mind there is no such thing as

"The

possible

'

a 'knock-out blow,' except the blow that 'knocks a very Irish statement, but what I mean is out,'

vi

THE COMPLETE BOXER

any blow that causes concussion of the jawcauses vibration of bone, from whatever punch the brain, and that no matter if the blow is on the neck or chin or chest, or with a dropping head, or whatever means, becomes a 'knock-out blow.' But to describe any particular blow as a certain knock-out blow is to me (in my ignorance) an impossibility. I have often heard of and seen a boxer in a competition going on the off chance of a 'knock-out blow,' and nine times out of ten it
that
'

'

has never come

4

off,
it

because the position

taking
effect.

of

the

adversary prevented

'Your Training remarks are valuable and abAnd I solutely correct in my humble judgment. think it would be impertinence on my part were I to in any way criticize so able a work on an art that is healthy, honest, and in the best interests of daily life and exercise, and a game that helps young men to keep their head, know what a blow is, keep their temper under trying circumstances, and above all helps to educate them in the most valuable asset in
life

Presence of Mind.
"
I

only hope that your book, which deserves the greatest praise, may be successful to a degree, and help to bring about a continuance of a science of which Englishmen are proud, and which
that
it

may

has done so

much

for those

who have proved

truly,
"

heroes

for their country.

"Yours very

LONSDALE "

CONTENTS
CHAP.
I.

THE ORIGIN OF BOXING

.....
.
. .

PAGE
i

II.

THE PURPOSES OF BOXING

BARE KNUCKLES
GENERAL HINTS
. .

.13 .30
48

III.

IV.

V.

THE CARDINAL BLOWS

DEFENCE

VI.

VII.

COUNTER BLOWS

VIII. IN-FIGHTING

...... ....... .....

. . .

.61
69

.78

.87
95

IX.

KNOCK-OUT BLOWS
.

X. TRAINING

.104 .124

XL
XII.

COMPETITIONS

ACTUAL SELF-DEFENCE
BOXING
.

.146

XIII. PROFESSIONAL

.160
.176
.184

XIV. REFEREEING

XV. THE ORGANIZATION OF A CLUB

*

viii
CHAP.

THE COMPLETE BOXER

PAGE
:

XVI. MILITARY BOXING ITS ORIGIN AND By J. H. W. KNIGHT-BRUCE

XVII. REGIMENTAL

GROWTH

193

NAMENTS
By
J.

H.

.......
W. KNIGHT-BRUCE

BOXING CLUBS AND MILITARY TOUR210

APPENDIX

I.

RULES OF THE AMATEUR BOXING ASSOCIATION RULES OF THE ROYAL BOXING ASSOCIATION

225

II.

NAVY
.

AND
.

ARMY .227
.

III.

RULES OF THE NATIONAL SPORTING CLUB

CONDITIONS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL BOXING

233

IV.

235

INDEX

........

237

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
THE STRAIGHT LEFT AT THE HEAD
.

Frontispiece
FACING PAGE
.

THF ROMAN CAESTUS AND THE MODERN BOXING GLOVE

16

RIGHT HAND BODY BLOW

SIDE-STEPPING

AWAY FROM A STRAIGHT LEFT

WELLS AND FLYNN

.......
.
.

.30 .46
60

From a Photograph by TOPICAL PRESS AGENCY

GUARD FOR A STRAIGHT LEFT

SUMMERS AND LEWIS
From a Photograph by
.

.76 -90
.106
.

the

GAUMONT
.

Co. LTD.
.

LEFT HAND CROSS-COUNTER

IN-FIGHTING

.....
AT THE JAW
. .
.
.

120

A LEFT HOOK

.136
.150
.166

STREET FIGHT

GUARDING A RIGHT SWING

THE REFEREE

IN

THE RING

.180

From a Photograph by TOPICAL PRESS AGENCY

DUCKING FROM A RIGHT SWING AND COUNTERING ON THE

"MARK"

...
.

196

A RIGHT HAND CROSS-COUNTER

From a Photograph by
the

.210
.

BOMBARDIER WELLS AND GUNNER MOIR

GAUMONT
ix

220

Co. LTD,

THE
COMPLETE AMATEUR BOXER
CHAPTER
"
I

THE ORIGIN OF BOXING

Sweet Science of Bruising how often has man. Twice as strong as his fellow, presumed just to lark But deceived in his brutal and hectoring plan,
!

it

Has

lain,

"wanting wind,"

in Fleet

Ditch or Fleet Market."

and before proceeding it is habitually called to describe the various lights in which it may be
;

IT

is perfectly impossible to treat as the Noble Art of Self-Defence.

Boxing merely That is what

regarded nowadays, the reader should be reminded in its genesis that in the first instance boxing was a sport and a sport only. If people wanted to hurt each other they resorted to weapons
;

and

if

handy we may be very

sure

there were no weapons that they tried to

strangle each other, and learned the best and quickest way of doing that before ever they considered the

advantages of temporary disablement from a hard blow with the clenched fist. For personal warfare, with bad blood in it, natural methods were resorted
to
:

and boxing
artifice.

is

not in the least natural.

It

is

sheer

Natural methods are animal methods and clawing and kicking. Mr. E. B. scratching

THE COMPLETE BOXER

Michell, writing in the Badminton Library, points out that children learn the means for strife from cats,

dogs and horses

for

that even the closing of the hand of inflicting injury is itself unnatural. purposes The argument may be carried further than this, for
;

safe to say that in human beings, in common with other animals, there is an instinct to use natural weapons teeth and nails because they are sharp
it is
:

the head for butfeet, because the legs are strong it is was in the days of because (or certainly ting our remote ancestors) hard. Then, in the process of men learned the damage to be wrought civilization,
;

But human life was little accounted with knuckles. of and if a man attacked you or aggravated you in
;

anything from a heavy bone was what you took to him. to a fine steel blade On occasions of lesser gravity, a slap with the open and it is palm would be sufficient, as it is to-day certainly probable that two quarrelsome young Greeks, emulating some Olympic hero, may have battered each But there would be other with their bare knuckles. no system about the fight, and doubtless after a while it would have degenerated into a first-class scratching match. But the athletes of this early world those who for honour and glory and display (and later on, be confessed, for material reward) 1 proit must digiously exerted their muscles, called into account these learned fist-fighting their utmost staying power as a recreation. The earliest record we have of any strife, whether
:

some way, a weapon

Solon decreed that

victor.

five

hundred drachmae should be paid

to

each

Olympic

THE ORIGIN OF BOXING

in

a wager, or for pure sport, which in the smallest degree resembles what we conself-defence,

or

for

ceive by the
"

word boxing, comes from the Greeks.

literary accounts are either very early or very late," writes Mr. K. T. Frost in the Journal of

The

Hellenic Studies? "and most of the latter seem to be echoes of Homer." It is Homer indeed who tells us
of lpdvTe<: leather thongs wound round the knuckles and the fore-arm, not so much to increase the deadliness of the blow as to protect the wearer. These were called /uetX^eu, lest they should be consubsequently founded with the more ferocious type of hand-covering 2 used in later days which amounted to a weapon, and may be said to have culminated in the Roman cestus. In many cases these were considerably more barbarous than the modern knuckle-duster. They were not
:

used
"

in the

Olympic games,
the
/-teA,t%at,"

make Frost, with English boxing difficult, so we must comparison be particularly thankful that Homer has described
writes

Even

Mr.

"

the fight with bare fists between Irus and Odysseus with a clearness and moderation very rare in the

The two competitors presented annals of the ring. Irus was much the a very different appearance.
taller

and heavier and had also the advantage in age. Odysseus, on the other hand, was of medium height, but broad-shouldered, deep-chested and muscular
:

evidently a typical middle-weight ten years earlier he had been one of the best runners and wrestlers in
the

Greek army, so
1

that he

had possessed that quick,

Journal of Hellenic Studies o-^alpat, and

vol. xxvi.

THE COMPLETE BOXER

when
pitted

ness on which a middle-weight must rely against a man heavier than himself.
"

he adopted were exactly those which a modern professor would employ against a heavier but unskilled opponent, namely, drawing and counterHis success was complete. Irus was much ing. dismayed when he saw how big his opponent stripped, and was probably more so when he met the eyes of the king. Anyhow he seems to have made a halfhearted lead off, more as a feeler than a blow, as beginners often do when starting a round with an
tactics

The

opponent with whom they are afraid to close at once. This blow, contrary to the usual custom, must have been delivered with the left, for it hit the right It may have merely fallen shoulder of Odysseus.
but when we remember the advantage in and reach possessed by Irus, it is more likely height that Odysseus saw the blow coming, ducked his head and raised his shoulder to guard the chin and then
short,
it

cross-countered heavily with a hook-hit: otherwise is difficult to understand the tremendous effect of
knock-out, especially as refrained from putting forth his
this

Odysseus
full

purposely

strength."

Theocritus

gives

a fine account of a combat

between Amycus and Polydeuces "him that binding the ox-fell thongs on his knuckles fights with terrible He comes to the land of Bebrycia and with fists." Castor leaves his ship and wanders off away from his companions. Amongst the pine trees and tufted
cypress they
1

come upon Amycus

xxii.

Theocritus, Idyll

Translated into English verse by James

Henry Hallard. (Rivingtons.)

THE ORIGIN OF BOXING

. .
.

". gigantic and awful to look on. Torn were his ears by the boxer's blows, and orbed were his monstrous Bosom and back with flesh as of iron like an enormous Wrought-metal statue he showed. On his arms, right up to the
;

shoulder,

Firm stood

his muscles like those stones that a mountain-torrent

Rolls in the winter time and rounds in the might of the eddies."

resents the trespass upon his land, and will not give the strangers so much as a draught from

Amycus

the spring.
what guerdon can we move thee Only by putting hands up, man to man." " " Fists only, or with feet, and face to face ?
"
"

With

silver or

"

"Strive with thy

fists.

."

Amycus

replies.

So he summons his friends, trumpeting with a hollow sea shell and Castor, who seems to have acted as Polydeuces' second, goes to fetch the rest
;

of the Argonauts.
"So,

when

their

fists

were

weighted with thongs of force-giving

leather,

Coiling the laces around each arm, they met in the mid-ring, Breathing slaughter against each other, and fiercely they struggled Whose back lay to the sun. By skill won'st thou, Polydeuces, This from the giant, and all his face was smitten with sun-rays. Sore was his wrath, and forward he lunged with blows at his rival.
hit on the chin as he charged, and his anger was roused, and volleying random buffets Onward he came, head down. The Bebrycians uttered a clamour Yea, and in answer the heroes cheered on stout Polydeuces, Fearing lest in so narrow a place that Tityan giant Bore him down with his weight. But shifting hither and thither, Yet close ever, the son of the Highest bruised him with both fists,

Him

Tyndarides
fiercer

Thereby

Thwarting the onset wild of the monstrous child of Poseidon. Dizzy with blows stood he spitting forth red blood, and the heroes
All roared loudly for joy when they saw weals grievous arising Over his mouth and jowl. Half-closed were the eyes on the swollen

Face

Now

with feints

all

round him the hero baffled and vexed him

THE COMPLETE BOXER

a-weary and mazed, with a clenched

Then, when he marked him fist smote him Just 'twixt forehead and nose, Stricken, he backward fell full Grimly the fight was renewed

and cut him

right to the skull-bone.

length in the midst of the herbage. when he rose each battered his rival,
;

Smiting with stubborn thongs. The Bebrycian leader assaulted Breast and thigh and neck. Polydeuces, peerless in combat, Mauled his foeman's face all over with horrible buffets. Quickly the giant waned, his flesh quite melted with sweating, Waxed still larger that other's limbs as he tackled his labour, Haler his hue. .... Amycus, wishing to work some wondrous deed, from position

Swerving aside, Polydeuces' left hand gripped with his left hand Then lunged forward sweeping his arm from his right thigh upward. Had he but reached, he had maimed his foeman, the King of Amyclae But with a neck-jerk he escaped that blow, with his right hand Driving at Amycus' head on the left straight out from the shoulder. Swiftly the life-blood gushed from a gaping wound on the temple. Smiting his mouth with the other, he rattled his ranges of tushes, Bruising his rival's face with strokes ever swifter, and pounded Both his cheeks, till a-swoon fell he at last on the meadow All his length, and with outstretched hands sought truce from the
; ;

combat, Being anigh unto death. Yet so, no vengeance upon him Did'st thou conquering wreak, Polydeuces, peerless of boxers Natheless he solemnly sware by Poseidon, his ocean-father, Never, never again to be churlish unto a stranger."

But
this

for a

certain

sumptuousness of expression,
:

account might stand for a bare-knuckle fight of the early part of the nineteenth century or even for a combat between two men with a quarrel to-day.

To

manoeuvre your man so that the light falls eyes would be one of the first considerations
out of doors encounter.

in his

in

an

the latter might well The followers for this reason deal buffets at random.
of Polydeuces are afraid lest the ponderous weight of

And

Amycus should
indeed likely

"so narrow a place." It is that the smaller man would get the
tell

in

THE ORIGIN OF BOXING

worst
agaii\

7
feints

of

it

in

a corner.

Then Polydeuces
if

and again

a procedure

well

carried

out

and vex any boxer. He puzzles and then when he sees that he has grown slow from weariness, and mazed not knowing from which mighty fist to expect the next blow Polydeuces gives him a terrific hit in the middle of the face. Amycus is probably standing square and is thus knocked down.
calculated to baffle
his antagonist,

Of course, to make your man's eyes swell so that he could not see properly was one of the principal The bare fist does objects in English prize-fighting.
a time (unless, as in Tom Cribb, the famous champion, he has a protruding bar of frontal bone with the eyes deep set beneath it) so the effect of hard strips of ox-hide
this

effectually

enough

after

the case of

can well be imagined. Amycus, it is to be noticed, attacked breast and The last of these would be a most thigh and neck.
vulnerable spot for a naked fist or one closely protected by " stubborn thongs." The modern boxing glove is too bulky to do much damage as a rule to
the throat, unless a man throws his head right back or to the neck, unless he exposes it by ducking his
;

and not recovering with sufficient In the ordinary position the blow would quickness. be stopped between the shoulder and the ear in the latter case, and the chin and the top of the breastto either side

head

bone

As

in the former. "

to

assaulting

the

thigh,"

Amycus

either

committed what would of course be a foul nowadays in English fist-fighting, by striking below the belt

THE COMPLETE BOXER

or else he seized his opponent's thigh in order to throw him. If the former is intended little purpose

would be served, as it would require an heroic blow indeed to hurt a man much by punching his thigh but perhaps Amycus was too blinded to know where
:

he was

On the other hand, wrestling was hitting. not allowed in genuine Greek boxing at all events it was prohibited, together with clinching, at Olympia.
;

Considered

in

every
loser.

respect,

the

redoubtable

Believing that his only chance lies in a free blow, he seizes Polydeuces' left

Bebrycian was a bad

hand with which he would guard and attempts a mighty upper-cut. This holding transgressed the Olympic, just as surely as the Queensberry, rules. Lunging forward and sweeping his arm or palm,
as an earlier edition gives
it

upward from
;

his right
strict,
:

thigh can only

mean an

upper-cut

or to be

for something between an upper-cut and a swing you do not "lunge forward" to deliver a true uppercut. The knuckles of his fist would have been twenty times more effective than the palm but we must remember the fact that he probably intended to take his adversary under the chin with the butt of the hand the thongs being tied so as to make such a blow extremely severe (see Illustration). Then Polydeuces ducks his head to one side, in quite the " approved fashion of to-day, and hits straight out from the shoulder." The blow cuts a gaping wound in the temple that would, of course, be the hard
:

thongs again.

Mr. Frost,

criticising

another
literal

gives this sense, prefers the

which meaning, which is

translation

THE ORIGIN OF BOXING

"

the result

with the weight of the shoulder," but in any case and the fact that Amycus is the same
;

swore not to be churlish to strangers any more scarcely to be wondered at.

is

Greek boxers,
still

then,

made a
;

practice of standing

with their feet almost level

and

hitting mainly

FROM A PANATHENAIC VASE

C. R. 1876, 109). of Hellenic Studies.

From

(Stephani, the Journal

with the

right,

which was well drawn back

and

guarding with the left hand outstretched. They never learned the advantages of straight hitting, but
these latter coming

were content with swinging and chopping blows down from above. This is the style commonly used even to-day by people utterly unacquainted with boxing, and which would thus

io

THE COMPLETE BOXER

It has, however, appear to be the natural style. all to recommend it. The Greeks, morenothing at over, never realized the importance of foot-work, swinging the weight of their bodies behind their blows from the hips only. It is from the vases that we learn most about

the methods of Hellenic boxing. At first sight, the distance between the legs in most of the drawings

appears to show that the men stood more or less in the orthodox modern fashion, as in the accompanying
but the authorities on the subject consider be a mere convention indicating that the feet are widely separated, but on the same level. This
illustration
this to
:

position assumed by the early English and the reader may call to mind how Champugilists pion Harrison, in Rodney Stone, stood with knees so that he might slightly bent, squarely to his man

was

the

lead off with either hand.

tells us,

This, Sir A.
Belcher's

Conan Doyle
it

was the
;

style introduced by Humphries and

Mendoza

but by

Jem

day

was quite

obsolete and was superseded by a position, so far as feet are concerned, almost identical with that of the modern boxer.

Before lighting at Olympia, writes Mr. Frost, the competitors trained for nine months, a preparation fully needed in view of the fact (amongst other
things) that they must battle in the glare of the noonday sun. The pairs and byes were decided by There is nothing to lot, just as they are to-day.

us that the size of the ring was defined, and since there were certainly no ropes, all the fighting would be in the open, with no opportunity for
tell

THE ORIGIN OF BOXING

cornering a man.

1 1

There were, moreover, only two so one for boys and one for men championships, that boxers of all weights had to compete together. From this it is to be inferred that the men were for the most part heavy-weights. There was no evidence of good-will between the rather they combatants, such as shaking hands at each other. Each had his glowered ferociously second who tied the thongs round his knuckles and And these seconds fore-arms, but left the thumb free. were allowed to shout advice or encouragement to
;
:

their principals during the progress of the encounter

a practice which is strictly prohibited to-day. Mr. Frost illustrates this point by a story of

Glaucus the Carystian. It appears that when Glaucus was a boy, he re-set a loose ploughshare, using his
fist

the feat that he entered

was so struck by Olympia for the boys' boxing match. During a fight with a more skilful opponent, the father, who no doubt acted as Glaucus' second, saw that he was hard pressed and shouted to " Give him one like you did the plough, my him, lad," whereupon the boy made a prodigious effort and knocked his adversary down.
as a

hammer.

And

his father

him

at

From

the evidence at our disposal,

we can only

assume that Greek boxing was almost entirely devoid of science and that quickness, hard hitting and stoic endurance were the three qualities to be inculcated with a view to success. And it may as well be added
;

here that these are, in modern boxing, the primary qualities still most carefully to be considered.

Between the annals of

classical

boxing and those

12

THE COMPLETE BOXER

of the English prize ring, which was established in the early part of the eighteenth century, there is a Boxing of some kind may have gulf of darkness.

England, but we have no record of it. Wrestling, of course, was always a popular sport showing that the natural methods of clutching and clawing already referred to were tempered down to become a pastime. Jehoshaphat

been practised

in mediaeval

Aspin, writing in 1825 of the Manners, Customs, Sports and Pastimes of the Inhabitants of England, tells of

a wrestling tournament (The City of London versus the City and Suburbs of Westminster) held at St. The work appears to Giles' in the Fields in 1219. be an exhaustive one, and the fact that no mention whatever is made of boxing is accounted for by the fact that whilst the period he treats of begins with
the arrival of the Saxons,
it

comes down only

to the

eighteenth century. In spite of its having been a sport, pure and

simple and rather blood-thirsty,

classical

we may
it

disregard

boxing

for

any

visible effect

has had upon

the fighting of our own day, which, it is quite sufficient to know, is the outcome of the prize-ring.

CHAPTER

II

THE PURPOSES OF BOXING

" Sports which can produce thoroughbred actions will outlive sneers of the fastidious, and cant of the hyper-critics."
all

the

PIERCE EGAN

to

CAPTAIN BARCLAY.

Boxing may be partly an Art of

MODERN
can.

Self-Defence.
is

Roughly,
at

the

man
of one

cannot box

the mercy

who who

Other things being equal this is certainly the and it is a commonplace that small boxers have And boxing is a frequently thrashed big ruffians. first and foremost as an amusement sport good fun then as a means of exercise and physical deIt is also a treatment to be prescribed velopment.
case
: :

for

toughening the

sensibilities, for

teaching a mental

and bodily agility, and the quickness and vigilance of eye and brain. Boxing as a means of defence is admirable, and of
offence.
If

somebody deserves

hitting,
;

it

is

better

that

that the

he should be hit in the right way on his account blow may hurt more, on the attacker's that he may justify his quarrel and not unduly expose himself
to retaliation.

True, that in these well-ordered days

opportunities for this sort of thing are comparatively rare, but it is always well to rise to their occasion.

Boxing

in this

way has

its

direct practical use.

THE COMPLETE BOXER

Of
all

violent forms of exercise, boxing probably It brings the greatest number of muscles into play. or should be, a most vehement kind of exertion ; is,

and should not be attempted by people who are physically unfit, weak in the heart, or those rare and
genuinely unable to endure a certain amount of ordinary and wholesome But a steady course of boxing, beginning pain. and gradually increasing in seventy, will give lightly wide and deep chests to those who started with
hyper-sensitive folk
are

who

add enormously to the muscular power of the back and shoulders. It is the constant movement of the shoulders and arms backwards and and constant forwards which expands the chest turning of the body from the hips develops the abdominal muscles.
narrow ones.
It will
:

Then, frequent boxing really hardens a man or boy to bear pain. He grows so accustomed to hard knocks that after a time he will scarcely be aware of a blow which would have sorely hurt him when he

began

to

learn.

And, of course,

this

happy

result

applies not only to sparring boxer can, in any relation of

itself:

the toughened

life, endure more than one who has never been taught to take a certain amount of knocking about for granted. A good boxer is nimble on his feet and does not he is always slouch about with relaxed muscles mentally alert, because in boxing thought and its consequent action must be well-nigh simultaneous. It trains quickness of eye to an extent which will be
:

found uncommonly valuable in other sports of all It unquestionably develops the faculty descriptions.

THE PURPOSES OF BOXING

of decision
;

15

for there is never any time for making mind once you are facing an opponent. You up your have to decide what to do on the spur of many

moments,

to

And

do it instantly. from the temperamental point of view

It is nonsense, boxing certainly teaches self-control. of course, to say that an angry man cannot fight well. He can, and often does. But the anger must be Once a man loses his temper and his kept in hand.

He becomes head, it is generally all up with him. wild and reckless, and an antagonist who has kept his
wits about

him can do what he chooses.

For

certain

dispositions a hard blow on the nose is very trying. run of bad luck, a sharp rally during which you

have been unable

points in boxing, endure the first
until

to land a single hit,

test.

is, if

you are

inexperienced, a severe
it is

test,

But, unlike all other a question of time. If you only the next will be less severe
:

you can take the worst possible hiding with a

true

grin.

These are
namely, that

the best excuse of

it

all

and noble excuses for boxing, but (where none is needed) remains
;

such a grand sport. It is exciting and sometimes sensational, and it has a whole wealth There is a man to of tradition to make it romantic.
is

are only three rounds,

if

beat and you have only yourself to rely on, and there if this is a competition or
in

an ordinary spar you keep to the amateur rules. short time, you will say, in which to test your

prowess.

But

wait.

Those

incident, or should be.

three rounds are packed with It is a desperate battle while

THE COMPLETE BOXER

And
if

it lasts.

you are

fairly

matched

howsoever

fine

your condition
to try
;

the minutes will be hours.

You

have
hit

and

hit

likely

you you will get at least as good as you give. You will be driven round the ring by a hurricane of blows, straight lefts and rights and hook-hits and swings and paralyzing half-arm blows which pen you in a corner. You may be knocked down from a blow on the jaw, and rise shaking and feeble to your feet
again
:

but you

will fail

your antagonist so that he cannot over and over again. Most

tion.

You

reeling forward in a supreme effort of retaliaTo be are for the moment utterly worn.

knocked out, so that the fight be over, would seem to be the most desirable occurrence you can imagine. It is this moment in a fight that really finds you out. It is a great effort to keep struggling on, to stand up not only defending your battered self, but defending it more certainly by making your adversary believe there is a reserve of strength in you yet to be overcome. And maybe you cannot land a blow and your man's gloves are ever about you still, beating the wind from you, bruising your face. And yet you must go on so long as your legs will carry you. " It is spirit which keeps the boxer on his legs," writes Pierce Egan, and spirit you must have. But at last comes. It always does if you are your opportunity
;
:

enough to see it. Your man grows careless or And that tired, and you land a light straight left. gives you courage for another, and the next is hard. And then he gives a pace and you are after him, sore
brisk
spent,
try

but eager to recover lost ground.

hits quickly succeeding,

And you

two

and they drive back

ROMAN CASTUS (FROM HIERONYMUS MERCURIALIS)

DRAWING ON A MODERN BOXING GLOVE

(sec page 30)

THE PURPOSES OF BOXING

or two before.

17

your adversary just as his drove you but a moment

And
all

that which

then by chance you land the perfect blow coming straight from your shoulder with
:

your weight behind it takes him upon the head and sends it back. And you have a delightful sensation at the moment of impact. It is only comparable to " " of a good cricket bat as you drive the ball the give from precisely the right place in the wood. The amateur who has little time at his disposal will find boxing one of the most convenient forms of
It is, so to say, very portable. You sport possible. can box almost anywhere, and a room cleared of furniture or a small patch of grass is within the reach of

those

The latter is infinitely preferable for who are forced by their daily occupation to spend much time indoors. One of the objections most frequently raised against
most people.
the pastime
is

that

it

can only be practised in a room.

for competitions,

you want to go in box on a boarded floor. But a vast number of men like to box just for the sake of exercise, and never mean to enter for any For them, the grass and the fresh air regular match. are perfectly suited. Of course, also, the two can be combined, by means of a square stage raised six inches or more from the ground with posts and ropes. But it is a somewhat ungainly fixture for anyone who is proud of his garden and has no secluded corner for thepurpose and a much too considerable time would be taken up by fixing the ring and stage for each encounter. For the busy man, then, boxing is an ideal purThis
is

quite wrong.

Of

course,

if

you must learn

to

THE COMPLETE BOXER

because ten minutes of hard sparring will, in point of exercise, be equivalent to an hour or so of most out of door games. You cannot box properly
suit,

unless you are in

It is regularly, better to practise in the evening, as one of the disadvantages of the sport is the fact that it tends to

good condition you will keep in good

and

if

you box

condition.

make you

sleepy.

The

constant buffeting in the face

with the heavily padded gloves is most wearing, and has often ensured for an ordinarily bad sleeper a good
night's rest.

So what would give a bad beginning

to

a day

may be highly beneficial at its close. The noble art has done an immense amount
;

of

good, both for weak people and for indecisive people it is not, however, to be claimed as a cure for all ills. That seems to have been the idea of one of George

Borrow's friends.

"

wishes

me

to give his son

lessons in boxing," says a character in The Romany Rye, " which he considers a fine, manly, English art, and

a great defence against Popery." Of course, boxing is essentially a young man's sport and in a match between two men very unequal " " in age, the old adage Youth will be served is The experience of a veteran who usually justified.
:

has grown
was,
is

stiff,

and whose wind

is

not what

it

once

unlikely to avail ultimately against the lusti-

hood, agility, and spring of a youngster even one who has yet to learn much of the ring-craft that his antagonist has forgotten.

Youth should be a succession of joyous moments when the desire to shout and run- and do something
which requires prodigious muscular
effort
is

para-

THE PURPOSES OF BOXING

19

mount and necessary in order to work off high animal These moments come without any particular spirits.
reason,

have

its

willy-nilly, outlet.

and the brimming

hard encounter
is

vitality

must

then the very

Your entire body is set height of physical pleasure. smashing blow received vigorously to work. brushes away the cobwebs of the mind, and there are few athletic triumphs to compare with a fine hit given.

It is this spirit of joyous irresponsibility that makes amateur boxing so well worth watching less perhaps from a purely scientific point of view, than from one that is perhaps rather primitively sporting, and which might be called the romantic aspect. Hardihood and pluck guts, to use a word that has come to be exare more conspicuous in the amateur than pressive
;

sheer science.

The genuine amateur cannot, as a rule, find time be superlatively clever, as that entails a prodigious amount of practice, and there are so many other things
to
to do.
I

"

say

genuine amateur," because there are

many technical amateurs professionally minded, who start their boxing career without hope of immediate
payment
in order to test their

powers

and a few who

regard the sport in that indefinable manner which suggests the professional, and, on the whole, suggests

These are men who use the unjustly. tricks just within the letter of the rule, to
him
ning
is

crafty

whom

win-

everything, and boxing a mere means of

winning something.

The

amateur, then, whilst not for a

moment

de-

spising science, cannot devote his

whole attention to and therefore lacks the finesse and those boxing,

20

THE COMPLETE BOXER

make perfection. From a he gives a very fine show. He spectacular standpoint is nimble enough and has sufficient knowledge of the
ultimate refinements which
science to

For nothing
plete

his movements neat, his hitting clean. more tedious to watch than two comnovices hugging and embracing each other, and
is

make

chopping

Two

at each other's heads, using their fists as axes. windmills in conflict would give better sport.

science

The average amateur boxes with average and a sheer delight in fighting for its own sake. Watching such an encounter, you see that it is a test
No.
;

manhood rather than of ingenuity of endurance And the mere fact that two rather than of system. are fighting because they like fighting, and not men
of

because of what they

hugely

may get from fighting, adds to the attractiveness of the scene. The very
makes the encounter
more

lack of absolute science often

more

exciting to watch provided not too emphasized. Even the expert cannot resist a thrill, and be he ever so blast he will
sensational,
is

that lack

admit that
It

it is

fine sight

at the least that

it

is

pleasant change.
to want sensationalism, but and humanity in this respect will very human, generally triumph over an emotion that is entirely

may be very wrong

it

is

artificial.

lifts the ball out of the ground, with perfection of technical skill and another plays back to the bowler. Ask the onlooker which he preThe human being without any knowledge fers to see.

cricketer
it

of cricket will choose the former

the

human being

in

every learned expert,

free.

will, like

as not, struggle to be

THE PURPOSES OF BOXING

21

But the unfortunate thing is that some men insist on translating humanity as brutality. " What I likes to see is two blokes, same weight and size and one a bit better'n t'other, 'avin' a good
scrap for ten or fifteen round, say
in
it

with nothink

much

way and then for one of 'em to get tired and t'other bloke to walk into 'im and smash 'im up for a round or two and then bring 'is right acrorst and stretch 'im so's he 'as to be carried out." This, or words very much to this effect, was the opinion expressed to the writer on one occasion by a
either
:

London cabman

addicted to boxing. been an ardent bruiser in his day, and a connoisseur of the sport from the ring-side. So his was no mere

member of a profession keenly The old man in question had

arm-chair declamation

he was talking of what he

risk.

himself had dared to do and

He

was quite
(in this

human.
suppose that what he ought to have said enlightened age) would have been
I
:

"

likes to see a nice pair of lads evenly

matched,

go the full twenty rounds, showing reel cleverness and brain work and not 'itting too hard 'im as wins, to
;

and then for 'em. to shake 'ands with a nice smile, and to leave the ring with their arms round each other's necks, and without a

do

it

narrow

on points

mark

to show."

an exhibition of that sort, exaggerated in its gentleness, can be seen almost any week from October to April in most large towns in this
certainly

And

country.

Light hitting coupled with an intensely developed

22

THE COMPLETE BOXER

sometimes. stage of a

knowledge of science forms a pleasant enough show So does the turn upon the music-hall
dexterous swinger of Indian clubs, or But it Cinquevalli's astounding sense of balance. does not thrill. You admire it with your brain, but

And in the process of ultranot with your heart. refinement a sport is apt to become emasculated, to lose its efficacy for the purpose from which it is
sprung.

This

cultivation

is

a two-edged

sword.

The

sport without a significant origin, which is and always has been purely a game, tends by the elaboration of its science to become a business golf, for example. And the valuable athletic pursuit which in a modified form makes a fine amusement becomes a meaningless show.
;

But the people who would

its

kill

boxing because of

so-called brutality go further than this. It is not enough for them that boxing, with nice, warm, padded

gloves,

should be gentle and affectionate it must It is wicked. It is unchristian. In Men fact, there is a risk of being hurt in boxing. have been known to have suffered the irreparable damage of a broken nose. There has been, and is,
;

cease to exist.

rascality connected with the sport, ruffianism of the

blackest dye.

mind.

Boxing has a peculiar effect on a certain type of It is a mind that may have, but generally has some theoretical knowledge to back its arguments, not, within a body which has never practised it. Put but quite equitably, the inside of the head flippantly, rejects what its outside cannot endure.

THE PURPOSES OF BOXING

No
doubt the reason
relief.

23

why boxing
it

especially en-

genders combativeness into

this antipathy is that

throws up personal
is

Boxing

so obviously

meant
of hate

to hurt.
:

Football never excites such a storm

injuries have been caused even relatively more for
;

and far more serious

than in boxing

in football

of course there are

many more

footballers than there

are boxers.

And there is just as much rascality connected with football as with boxing, comparatively as
ruffians

not an integral part of the game, and to win a boxing match, you must, as a As for ruffianism, there is no rule, hurt your man.
the smallest injury
is

many Even

who

kick a ball as those

who punch

one.

sport safe from ruined by it.

it,

no sport that can be ultimately

boxing
is

And what

if

brutal

"I belong

to

the National Sporting Club, because there's a beast in every man, thank God," says a character in one
of

Mr.

Thurston's

novels.

The

fellow

was doing

in every himself an injustice. There is man (or most men), a spark of the primaeval savage, If it is without which mankind could not exist.

manhood

brutish for
fists,

for

tongues is demonstrated, boxing is not only comparatively fine it is definitely admirable for what it teaches, what
it

two men to beat each other with their them to slander each other with their devilish. And, as has been sufficiently
;

makes possible. Of course it happens now and again

a black

that a white

are matched, and there is an " But that is brutal exhibition." outcry against the a peculiar instance, and boxing has little to do with

man and

man

24
the trouble.

THE COMPLETE BOXER

The
;

feeling of a section of the public

runs very high not in the excitement of sport, but in the fever of racial antagonism. It is infinitely that white and black men should not be preferable

Apart from this racial pitted against one another. Negroes are not physically feeling, it is unsuitable. built like us. But all the same, faddists use such an
opportunity for decrying boxing itself, and not boxing in special circumstances. And in any case the man who hits his brother in anger is better than the man who

preaches a sickly brotherhood of antipathetic races. It is interesting to observe that the noble art

makes an appeal
to

to a type

of

mind

utterly foreign

M. Maurice sporting man. Maeterlinck, for example, is a great boxing enthusiast the philosopher who wrote so tenderly of his little
that

of the

usual

bull

dog

is

able

to

comprehend the merits of

this

violent pursuit, to appraise the cold

deliberation of
1

a knock out blow.

Look at two draymen," peasants who come to blows

more
pitiable.

"

he
:

writes,

"

nothing After a copious and dilatory broadside of insults and threats, they seize each other by
the throat and hair,

could

two be

play with their feet, with their knees, at random, bite each other, scratch each other, get entangled in their motionless rage, dare

make

not leave go, and

an arm, he

one of them succeeds in releasing out blindly and most often into a series of hurried, stunted and sputtering space little blows. On the other hand, watch two no useless words, no gropings, no anger pugilists
if

strikes

" In Praise of the Fist," from Life

and Flowers.

THE PURPOSES OF BOXING

the calmness of two certainties that

25
lies

know what

before them.

The

athletic

attitude

of the guard,

which the male body is capable, logically exhibits all the muscles of the organism to the best advantage. Every one of them has its pole in one or other of the two massive fists charged
one of the
finest of

to the full with energy.

And

the

noble simplicity

of

the

attack

Three

blows, no more, and the

fruits of secular

the

thousand useless

experience, mathematically exhaust possibilities hazarded by the

synthetic, irresistible,

uninitiated.

Three

unimprov-

able blows.

As soon

as one of

the adversary, the fight is satisfaction of the conqueror, who triumphs so incontestably and with no dangerous hurt to the

frankly' touches to the complete ended,

them

conquered, who is simply reduced to impotence and unconsciousness during the time needed for all ill-will to evaporate. Soon after, the beaten man will rise to
his feet with

no lasting damage, because the resistance of his bones and his organs is strictly and naturally proportioned to the power of the human weapon that has struck him and brought him to the ground." Although boxing will always find supporters,, it will always have its revilers too. And it is a mistake to ignore them, for they are many and there is In 1860, when the cult of rather danger in numbers. refinement was at its worst, there was a hypocritical precious outcry against the fight between Sayers and Heenan. A reference to Punch will show that. "Ah me, that I have lived to hear
;

Such men as ruffians scorned, Such deeds of valour brutal called, Canted, preached down, and mourned

"
!

26

THE COMPLETE BOXER

The
writer
mill
is

supposed to be recounting the

the
benefit

famous

for

of

his
little

great-grandfurther on

children in 1920.

He

continues a

"...

canting rogues, their mud to fling On self-defence and on the Ring, And fistic arts abuse And 'twas such varmint had the power
!

The Champion's

And

fight to stay leave unsettled to this hour

The honours

of the day n
!

For owing to police stopped, and so ended

despite ring was broken
his

interference, the battle

in

was

a draw.

And
;

fractured

arm,

was winning

Sayers, but the

"Just when ten minutes used aright Had made the fight his own."

That,
sensitive.

bloodier affair

however, was bare-knuckle milling a which gave more excuse to the

;

But since then, the school of sentimentalists has

increased by leaps and bounds.
"Gladiatorial
dis-

plays," "brutalising effects" have become catchwords. If the onlooker is brutalised by the spectacle of two

standing up to each other and being brave, If he then he is brutalised and that's all about it.

men

watches two men fighting in a ruffianly manner, or one cruelly taking advantage of his antagonist, he is either disgusted or remains the brute he

The sight cannot make him one. always was. It is, however, remarkable that boxing should find so little encouragement at the hands of our
educational authorities.

True we are a

softer race

THE PURPOSES OF BOXING

:

27

witness the outcry against than we used to be the gallows for cold-blooded assassins; the "cat" as a punishment for the worst kind of criminal
and,
in

the

elementary

schools,

the

wholesome

whipping for naughty little boys. We are flogged soundly enough at our public schools, thank Heaven but we seldom settle our differences in
;

the

fine

old way.
to fight in

It

is

the

rarest occurrence for

two boys
appointed
far

with seconds and

time

someone and in a

an ordered and proper manner, to see fair play, at an

special
place.

That
in

is

too

cold-blooded.
is

commonly passage Nevertheless it is

attitude
other,

little skirmishing the fiercest discord.

difficult

of
in

schoolmasters.

understand the Boxers respect each

to

a school where boxing is compulsory, where disputes can be regulated with the gloves, by the consent of the master, a most salutary

and

But these schools are unfortunately I few and far between. suppose it is partly that individual athletic feat must suffer for those any
influence
is felt.

that are collective

or corporate, as the schoolmasters In boxing, whatever happens, themselves would say.

neither does he a boy wins on his own merits nor is helped by them. Thus far it help others, is a selfish sport. But it is a fine thing to fight
:

for the
is

honour of your school at Aldershot, and a pity that more boys are not allowed to do so.

it

Take the opinion of the majority of the schoolmasters in question, and you will find what it is they really object to especially why it is that they dislike their boys for open competitions with the entering
;

28 other schools
call

THE COMPLETE BOXER

the knock-out

a mysterious something which they blow. To people unacquainted

with boxing, it is always singular the knock-out blow. So it may as well be explained here shortly the subject will be more fully dealt with in a later
chapter
that

there

are

many knock-out

blows.

Any blow which stops the combatant from continuing But of course the most to box may be so called. is that which takes you on the side of the frequent jaw, and this it is which is generally called the
knock-out blow. Put simply, this hit
instant
if

sufficiently

hard

causes

and very

slight concussion of the brain.

In

a mild form, the boxer who receives it is slightly dazed, sees a thick mist before his eyes and goes weak in the knees. The effects pass off in a few more severe hit of the kind causes moments.

him

to

fall,

but he

behind the striking lands on precisely

time.

more power arm- particularly when the glove the right spot, and the man is

may

rise.

little

knocked down and unable

to rise for

a considerable

In professional boxing ten seconds are allowed, and if the boxer cannot get up in that period, he is

reckoned to have been knocked out and accordingly It occasionally happens when a man has been brought down by a particularly hard blow, that it is some minutes before he comes to. Usually he revives as soon as his seconds have picked him up and poured cold water on his head. But the point is that the blow does not cause serious injury, and I am unable to discover any
loses the fight.

THE PURPOSES OF BOXING

case

29

where it has caused a boxer's death. There have been innumerable occasions when one of the combatants has been knocked down by blows on the jaw again and again as many as half a dozen times in a single round, and yet have knocked out their In these inopponents before that round closed. stances the blow has been either not a hard one or
not rightly placed. The result of such punishment seldom more than a bad headache, a very stiff jaw, and a disinclination to eat solid food on the
is

following day.

Deaths have occurred in boxing, just as they have in steeple-chasing and other sports but they are very rare. In an enormous preponderance of competitions and professional matches, the worst to be expected is the breaking of a nose, or the loss of a tooth or two. For the rest, an occasional black " " thick ear or a eye, which may last for some days which is very common among boxers, and which (it is to be feared) they will carry to their graves, are the most usual disfigurements and penalties that have
;

to be faced.

CHAPTER

III

BARE KNUCKLES
"... Squabbles
have, since the
fall

of the

Ring, been

settled

more commonly in a brutal and cowardly way than when the ideal of Gully and Bendigo was before the eyes of the quarrelsome man."
E. B.

MICHELL

in

Boxing

(Badminton Library}.

principles

of old time

THE
fight,

were more akin, more adapted

of self-defence than

knuckle-fighting to the purposes

modern boxing.

man

who is trained to fight with his fists for sport is more likely to be able to use them with effect in a street
more likely to endure blows from them. Then wrestling was allowed as well and if you are faced
:

by a

man who
;

you must disable him and a knowledge of not recommended for self-defence

ready to do anything to disable you, be prepared to do next to everything to

is

wrestling, though in a street fight,

may nevertheless prove uncommonly useful. The ring for all the big and important
was pitched
old prints
it

fights

in the

open

air,

and judging by some

was occasionally much larger than the foot square that eventually became the twenty-four
encounter was generally decided upongrass, though sometimes a boarded stage was used, as in the famous fight between Cribb and Molyneaux,
regulation
size.

The

and that between Humphries and Mendoza.

The

A RIGHT HAND BODY-BLOW. IN THIS CASE EXTRA FORCE IS GIVEN OWING TO THE RECIPIENT COMING FORWARD WITH A STRAIGHT RIGHT

BARE KNUCKLES
-

31

seconds remained in their respective corners within the ring, and there was generally an outer line of
ropes beyond which the public was not allowed to The space in between was reserved for trespass.
the officials and backers.

Whippers out with long lashes beat back any of. the spectators whose exuberance caused them to break bounds.
principals, as you may see from any old were stripped to the waist, just as they are print, in all professional contests to-day, and wore tight A round ended with a man breeches and stockings. down either from a blow or a throw and going might thus last almost any length of time, from half a minute to half an hour. Fights were to a finish until one man gave in or was unable to come up to the scratch at the end of the half-minute rest. At one seconds were allowed to carry their men to period the scratch, so that utterly exhausted as they sometimes were, they might stand and push each other And sometimes his backers withdrew a down. man. Owing to this half-minute for recovery on every occasion of a knock down, it required a terrific blow indeed to end a battle outright. More usually a man was first worn out by continuous falls, or blinded by the swelling of his eyes, and then given what would almost amount to a free blow before he was beaten. Some of these old prize-fights went on for three and four hours, a thing which would be practically impossible with gloves even under the same rules. The fact is that a fairly heavy glove does far more than protect the face of the man who is hit by it and the
;

The

32

THE COMPLETE BOXER

;

knuckles of him who hits the constant buffeting has a soporific and dazing effect which bare fists A hard blow from a man's knuckles never have. hurts a good deal more but it is a quick, livening It does not, so to say, send you to sleep but pain.
;

Some men beat stings you on to greater efforts. themselves by driving up their knuckles on their opponent's heads. Jem Belcher did this in his first with Cribb. fight
There is no gainsaying at all that a prize-fight must have been a gory and a horrible sight to
sensitive folk.
fitted

So

is

battle.

And

the prize-ring

men

to

fight

in

battles.

Joseph

Haydn

describes prize fighting as "a favourite sport with the British, who possess strong arms, giving them
superiority in battles decided with the bayonet." Waterloo was won on Moulsey Hurst as well as

on the playing

fields of

Eton.

Shaw, the example literally was found surrounded by Nottinghamshire fighter, the ten Frenchmen he had slain. Three of them, it is said, fell before one sabre cut. sweeping That the ring was not without its detractors even in those early days is evidenced by the following passage from the dedication of Boxiana, vol. iii. " It is of (1821), to the Marquis of Worcester:
the very last importance to England as a nation," writes the editor, "that she still preserves her high character for True Courage, both at home and abroad, both by land and by sea: nay, more, that not one
particle of this real greatness should ever

To

take

one

be frittered

away from squeamishness of Disposition

or Effeminacy

BARE KNUCKLES
of habit."

33

But then, even as now, the mass of valuable was on the side of anything which was likely opinion
to foster manliness.

Boxing has always been associated with fairs. To-day even, and perhaps to a greater extent ten or fifteen years ago, itinerant pugilists are and have been the delight and despair of country youths. There are no travelling circuses of any consideration to which a boxing booth does not form an indispens-

Two bruisers, generally of the second able adjunct. from place to place, giving exhibitions rank, move first, and then throwing down the gloves in challenge to any aspiring yokel, who fancies himself and cares
to put

them
is in

on.

The
nature

Figg

record we have of anything of that a handbill distributed at fairs in 1740 by that is, twenty-one years after the date when
first

that worthy of England.

was written down as the

is

first

champion

This handbill, which

as follows
:

quoted from Boxiana, runs

At FIG'S Great Til'd Booth

on the Bowling Green, Southwark, During the time of the Fair, (which begins on Saturday, the i8th of September), The Town will be entertained with the

MANLY ARTS OF
Foil-play, Back-sword, Cudgelling,
in

and Boxing,

which The noted PARKS from Coventry, and the celebrated gentleman prize-fighter, Mr. MILLAR,
will display their skill in

a tilting-bout,
:

Showing the advantages of Time and Measure

also

Mr. JOHNSON, the great Swordsman, superior to any

3

man

in the

34
World

THE COMPLETE BOXER

for his unrivalled display of the hanging-guard, in a grand attack of Self-defence, against the all-powerful arm of the renowned Sutton. DELFORCE, the finished Cudgeller, will likewise exhibit his uncommon feats with the Single-stick ; and who challenges any man in the kingdom to enter the lists with him for a broken head or a belly-full
\

BUCKHORSE, and

several other Pugilists, will of Boxing.

show the Art

To
will exhibit his

With a grand parade by

conclude the Valiant FIG,

who

knowledge in various combats with the Foil, Back-Sword, Cudgel, and Fist. To begin each day at Twelve o'clock, and close at Ten.

N.B.

The Booth

is fitted

up

in

Vivat Rex. a most commodious manner, for the

better reception of Gentlemen, etc. etc.

It was Jack Broughton, another early champion, whose backer was the then Duke of Cumberland,

who first started a regular house of call for people interested in the noble art. This was known as the
Amphitheatre,
following year, " for boxing rules

and was built in 1742. In he drew up and published the

the
better

the
first

regulation of Amphitheatre, approved of by the Gentlemen, agreed to by the Pugilists."

the

and

" i. That a square of a yard be chalked in the middle of the stage and 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 the one to strike the other. " 2. That, in order to prevent any disputes, the time a

man

lies after

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. " no person whatever shall be upon the 3. That in every main battle,

fall, if

the same rule to be stage, except the principals and their seconds observed in by-battles except that in the latter, Mr. Broughton is allowed to be upon the stage, to keep decorum, and to assist gentlemen to their places provided always that he does not interfere in the battle and whoever presumes to infringe these rules, to be turned immediately out
;
; ;

BARE KNUCKLES
of the house.

35
champions

Everybody
champion
is

is

to quit the stage as soon as the

are stripped, before they set to. " be deemed That no

4.

to the line in the limited time

beaten, unless he fails coming up or that his own second declares him
to

beaten.

No

second

to

be allowed

ask his man's adversary any

questions, or to advise him to give out. " 5. That in by-battles, the winning

money givenf which

man to have two-thirds of the be publicly divided upon the stage, notwithstanding any private agreement to the contrary.
shall
shall,

"6. That, to prevent disputes in every main battle, the principals on the coming on the stage, chose from amongst the gentlemen present, two umpires, who shall absolutely decide all disputes that may

and if the two umpires cannot agree, the said umpires to chose 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 to be reckoned down."
arise about the battle
;
:

Would
were
there

sufficient for the

And
is

crude, simplicity of modern boxing. governance yet regarding the essence of prize-fighting a thoroughly modern ring so there is in
:

that

such complete,

if

number

The same particular often said of Sheridan's plays. And both thing instances go to prove the immutability of human
five

of

these

rules.

is

insufficient reasons we of our dispositions and our to-day expect inclinations, to be radically different to those of our But we expect too much of Father great-grandsires.

nature.

For a variety of
ourselves,

Time. The public division of prize money according to a certain proportion and the hinted possibility of
a private arrangement has a peculiarly exact counterpart in the pugilistic dealings of this century.

But
affair,

modern boxing is a much more complicated and calls for more complicated regulations.

self-advertisement of a boxer's prowess, also, was carried on then with a similar, though not quite

The

36

THE COMPLETE BOXER

so vulgar, lack of diffidence as at the present day. Two bruisers Patrick Henley and John Francis-

have a

quarrel.

They have

fought once before, to

the discomfiture of the latter, who is anxious to get The challenge and acceptance found his own back. below have their basic idea in common with'the page-

long letters and denunciations and articles of selfapprobation with which modern pugilists supply the
sporting papers.

John Francis, commonly known by Jumping Soldier, who have always had the reputation of a good fellow, and have fought several bruisers in the street, etc., nor am I ashamed
I,

"

WHEREAS

the

name

of the

mount the stage when my manhood is called in question by an Irish braggadocio, whom I fought some time ago, in a by-battle, for twelve minutes, and though I had not the success due to my courage and ability in the art of boxing, I now invite him to fight me for TWO GUINEAS, at the time and place
to

above mentioned, where, I doubt not, I shall give him the truth of a good beating. " JOHN FRANCIS."
"
I,

Patrick Henley,

truth of a

good

fellow,

known to everyone for the who never refused anyone,

on or

off the stage,

and

fight as often for the diversion

of gentlemen as money, do accept the challenge of this Jumping Jack and shall, if he don't take care,
;

give him one of my bothering blows, which will convince him of his ignorance in the art of boxing. " PATRICK HENLEY."

BARE KNUCKLES
Towards the end
several

37

of

the

eighteenth

century

were started for the teaching of them Dan Mendoza's lyceum in the boxing, amongst Strand. Then came the palmy days of Gentleman the two Belchers Jackson, Jem and Tom, Pearce, and Gully. The last named has always been Cribb, held up to posterity as an example of what a good bruiser should be and could become for John Gully,
schools
:

champion of England, was subsequently a Member of Parliament. And, by the way, if in years to come our children are able to look back upon the antithesis of this preferment, they ought to be congratulated. In 1824, there were two battles between men whose names will always be synonomous for pluck and good sportmanship Tom Spring (Winter was his real name) and Jack Langan, the Irishman. On both occasions the former won. Better fellows and
finer

men never graced the ring. Of the former wrote some rhyming
"For budding flower, or leafing I now don't care a splinter;
For Spring
is

punster

tree,

a colder thought to me,

Than

the bitterest day of Winter."

Then
Bendigo,

there

were

Owen

Swift,

Jem Ward,

Caunt, and many other illustrious names spanning the nineteenth century till we come to old Jem Mace, the last of the famous bare-knuckle

and

men, who answered the

last three or four years.

final call of

Time

within the

The view

of prize-fighting taken by one section

of polite society in mid-Victorian times can be gleaned

38

THE COMPLETE BOXER

" from Thackeray. I can see old gentlemen now he says, "of perfect good breeding among us," and look at them and wonder what they were once.
.

That gentleman of the grand old school when he was in the loth Hussars and dined at the Prince's That table, would fall under it night after night. would drive his friend Richmond, the gentleman
. .
.

black boxer, down to Moulsey, and hold his coat, and shout and swear and hurrah with delight, whilst the

That beating Dutch Sam, the Jew. gentleman would take a manly pleasure in pulling his own coat off and thrashing a bargeman in a
black
street row."

man was

was a long time before the portentous respectability of that era put an end to fighting. Many a good mill took place more or less in secret there were many exciting evasions of the police. One magistrate would be dour and relentless, another would wink. As told in the previous chapter, the immortal combat in 1860 between Sayers and Heenan, the " Benicia Boy," was interrupted. Seven years later Jem Mace was arrested, and in the year followBut
it
:

ing that the railways were prohibited by law from

conveying people to prize-fights. The length to which some of the most famous The terrible fights were drawn out was extraordinary. battle between Nat Langham and Harry Orme lasted for the nearly three hours, and Langham was beaten time in his life in the hundred and seventeenth only
round.

That was

in 1851.

Two years later Langham

took more than two hours to beat Sayers, the only occasion on which that most doughty of all champions

BARE KNUCKLES

39

was ever bested. Backers were most certainly to blame sometimes for allowing their men to continue
In many of these long, hard-fought battles fighting. the principals tottered where they stood, one of them summoning just enough strength to shove the other

Langham and Orme, in the fight referred to were both so weak as to be utterly past hitting. above, In the last round Langham tried to push his man He toppled over, not seeing that he was out of reach. over with the exertion, and being unable to rise again,
down.
lost the encounter.

and Sayers, about the last, champion of the English prize-ring, were comBoth fought and thrashed paratively little men.
Johnson, one of the
earlier,

sixty-two rounds decisively knocked out Isaac Perrins who stood six foot two, and weighed three stone more than his nimble angiants.

Johnson

in

tagonist. Sayers was only five foot eight, and he gave five inches, four stone and the soundest possible trouncing to Perry, the Tipton Slasher, in their fight

Sayers owed his success to championship. his wonderful foot-work, and the terrific force of his
for the
hitting.

side to prize-fighting which has been It brought out magnificent insufficiently ventilated.
qualities in

There was a

men

not otherwise admirable.

did not

make

villains,

ring but gave ready-made villains

The

the chance of being something better. Of course, an of the ring would call this the canonization opponent
of rascals, adding that popular accord made heroes of better view is that every man is a blackguards. fellow in some way and we may thus look on good

40

THE COMPLETE BOXER

If it the exploits of various rascals dispassionately. had not been for their fights there would have been

less

them to be anything but rascals. One fellow, by no means a saint in private life, was a genuinely heroic fighter for no man had longer or harder battles, and he never enjoyed good health, suffering continually from weak lungs.

room

for

only fair that all fighters as fighters whether their moral characters were bad or eminently respectable, should share what esteem posterity may
It is

have

to offer them.

often seeks to vindicate the a list of all the notable people who ring by presenting encouraged it. Certainly, without their support prizeBut it is a fighting could never have flourished. mistake to defend an institution by proclaiming the

modern view too

names of those who subscribe

appeal gallery. advertised that So and
is

to
it

it.

That

is

an

to

the

Because

is

excessively

So (very

well

known) uses

Such and Such (a patent commercial product), there no doubt that a large number of other people will use it too, becaiise So and So does. The patent does not stand upon its own merits. At this date, however,
a pity that the prize-ring should be placed in an analogous category. Nevertheless, it is interesting to note (as a sign
it is

of those

times) that Lord Althorp, leader of the Commons at the time of the Reform Bill, seriously considered whether it was not a duty that he owed
to the public to

go and attend every prize-fight which took place, and thus to encourage the noble science to the extent of his power.

BARE KNUCKLES
The

41

history of knuckle-fighting forms an astonishing record of pluck. Speaking enthusiastically, courage should not be remarkable but to us such courage as
;

was displayed

in the ring

undoubtedly

is.

Perhaps

now

that for half a century or so the practice has been of a grand ideal and of opporillegal, the deprivation
tunities has

merely veiled our powers of endurance.

Perhaps our heedlessness of pain

we
a

are a softer and

its

tion has

But is latent still. more comfortable race. Civilizaway with us and the primal qualities of
:

man

are not,

be.

Hence
It is

think, so needful as they used to come to be despised and neglected, they

we

and neglect brings atrophy.

whispered that bare-knuckle fights still take hours of summer Sunday mornings on Welsh mountains, and one of the most redoubtable army champions of recent years fought more than thirty rounds with his fists when he was a pit-boy of
place in the early
fifteen.

was another instance. In a small room (not in London), where boxing often goes on, and where a little throng of people
there
.

And

might reasonably be expected to gather at night, a There are no more than a score of ring is pitched. men round it. Blinds are drawn before the windows which only give upon a yard and a lamp hangs high on each of the walls. Two men, well matched
welter-weights, sit in their corners, talking to their seconds. Handy to each of them for the sake of

appearances in an emergency, a pair of six-ounce gloves hangs from the ropes by its laces. They continue to hang there.

42

THE COMPLETE BOXER

The terms on which
the

men

are to box are as

follows

Rounds

with a minute's rest between them

falls at

are limited to four minutes each, but if a man

:

any time the round ends then. The fight is to be to a finish, subject to the interference of the
referee
;

and no wrestling

is

allowed.

It is

a mixture,

time prize-fighting and boxing. Apart from the conditions described, the modern rules prevail. Ready ? the men are asked. Time. Tom and Dick, let us call them. Tom has Dick slightly the best of it in height and reach makes up for that in bulk but both are sturdilybuilt fellows. They are well trained, and accustomed to hard work with their hands, which has the usual
in fact, of old
;
:

being developed at the expense They are lumpy and ungainly to look and would have shocked the susceptibilities of a at, Greek sculptor. They shake hands and begin to
result

their bodies

of their legs.

manoeuvre for an opening. This wholly reprehensible affair originated as it might well have done a hundred years before in a bet. Tom had decisively beaten Dick after ten hard rounds with the gloves. Now Dick is backed to beat Tom without them. And they have consented to
this

arrangement

after a little tactful persuasion.

The
sort

spectators sit, thrillingly silent. of thing that they have longed

This

is

the

hopelessly

longed,

The timethey always thought to see. keeper glances now and again at his watch. By his side the referee (who, it is said, has seen a like

performance on another occasion) drums his fingers on his knees and stares.

BARE KNUCKLES

43

There is a shuffling sound as the boxers move about the ring. They do not seem very enthusiastic Then Tom leads with his long left. at present. Dick guards it and they come together. There is a spasmodic effort at in-fighting, and they fall into a
clinch.

Break away," says the referee. In the next minute Dick sends a swing towards his man's body. Tom steps aside and has planted two resounding blows on Dick's cheek and ear.

"

Dick turns, tries for the body, succeeds this time, and they are in holds again. The onlookers, who are accustomed to ordinary boxing, remark the Not strange sound of the blows, sharp and spanking. that the loudness of a blow means anything it is the dull-sounding hit which generally does the most
:

damage.

The first round goes the full four minutes. In the next after a sharp rally Dick slips down and falls half So that round through the ropes bad foot work. In the third it is seen that Dick is waiting ends.
man. He refuses to lead and Tom, with confidence born of his previous victory and his adversary's clumsy feet, goes for him left and right. Dick tries to retaliate with a cross-counter Tom jumps aside, and sends in a beautiful right on the side of the jaw. Down goes Dick again, almost knocked out. So far the fight had been a repetition of the other. Tom is the better boxer and seems to be winning, hands down.
for

his

After the next call of time, Tom tries in-fighting because he cannot land as many blows as he would

44
like at

THE COMPLETE BOXER

Then long range, and he will not persevere. Dick wakes up suddenly, and there is fine scrapping. Blow for blow they are equal. It looks as though

was trying to hold, and Dick is beginning to use his feet. Blood flows. Tom's sharp knuckles have landed, not squarely, upon Dick's eye glancing away towards his ear, and ripping the loose skin. A
;

Tom

fierce rally is in

the next round

is

progress when time is called. rather similar and the next.

And
In

each

has a slight advantage. Really it is a very good fight, the onlookers think

Tom

though the more blood-thirsty amongst them would But for that they have not to fancy harder hitting.
wait long. After a little sparring Tom suddenly gives back a pace before a straight left, feints with his right
at the body, and sends a left his antagonist's guard. The

hook whizzing in over blow lands on the side

of Dick's rather prominent nose. The latter involunhis hand to his face and comes tarily puts up

Tom

closer, gives
left,

him a hard drive on the mark with

it

his

following That is the best blow of the already damaged eye. encounter so far clean and straight. Dick falls back
his seconds

with a

still

harder right on the

and grunts with pain as him up.

"
"

bend

to

lift

Will you give in ? asks Tom from his corner, but is vouchsafed no reply. " You wait a bit, my lad, he'll give in soon enough,"
says one of his friends, mopping his face with a sponge. "You've cracked his nose for him."

And from one side of the ring at least it is easy to see Dick's second manipulating the injured member

BARE KNUCKLES

45

between finger and thumb, and then standing away with his head cocked on one side to make sure that it
is

straight.

He is very happy in this knowledge. certainly going to win, and says so to those about He springs from his chair exactly at the his corner.
is

Tom

jumps across the ring towards a furious swing, misses, and lands Dick steps aside, with the left upon the nose again. He is weak, though obviously hurt, but determined.
call

of time,

and

fairly

Dick.

He

tries

Tom lands again upon still adequate. But even so Dick the broken nose, the torn eye. Time, and there is gets back now and again.
his defence is

applause for both of them. Tom is desperately anxious to be done with

it.

He
ing
is

dashes in at the beginning of each round, pound-

away

at

body and head,

makes

He bleeding profusely. Tom do most of the work.

Dick principally head. fights on the retreat and

The

latter,

who

is

a good hand at a winning fight, is only too ready to accommodate him. At the end of the eleventh round

he comes charging in, stops a hard right at his mark and tries for Dick's nose again only to his great surDick isn't there. He has nipped aside with prise remarkable speed for him, and before Tom knows it, a desperate fist has come and gone and come again upwards on his very mark. He gives back involuntarily, and loudly they cheer when a spanking left from Dick clips him on the side of the chin and sends him
;

sprawling. One or two

tender-hearted

people

there

had

wondered whether the referee was going

to stop the

46

THE COMPLETE BOXER

Now they acknowledge that he knows more fight. about boxing than they do. Being a man of imagination he reckoned that Dick still had something up his sleeve. It is to be remarked henceforward that Tom is not a good hand at a losing fight. He hasn't been hurt, and Dick has rather severely. He is really a pitiful sight, and might have sat as a model
Dungaree when Johnny Broome had done with And he is very weak he cannot follow up his him.
for
;

to, especially after a advantages properly. blow which all but knocks the wind out mighty body of Tom. But he really cannot. And yet it is Tom now who keeps out of the way of punishment, per-

He means

Dick all but falls from a hit A on the forehead, but just holds up and guards the next blow, and sends his own right to his opponent's jaw. There is very little weight behind it, but it makes the That fellow Dick takes more beating latter think. than he supposed. A strong disinclination to fight comes over Tom, and at the next blow, which he At least, partly stops, he deliberately tumbles down. on that side of the ring think so. people And there are two more rounds, during which Dick contrives to fend off serious damage and to land half a dozen body-blows scarce worthy of the name. He goes back to his corner at the end of the fifteenth round leaning heavily on his second. He wonders how much longer he can hold out. What has happened to Tom ? Why is he playing like this ? And he has scarcely sunk, shattered and limp, on to his chair, when someone speaks. Dick can scarcely understand it.

petually retreating. round or two later

SIDE-STEPPING

AWAY FROM A STRAIGHT LEFT

(see page33)

BARE KNUCKLES
"Tom," says that ''Tom retires. I am

47

boxer's second to the assembly, sorry to say he is not well."

Tom
He feels

sick.

has had a nasty punch or two in the wind. It isn't worth while going on. What's

And the the good of getting hurt for a few quid ? next moment Dick is half carried across to the loser's
corner to receive a sulky shake of the hand.

But that

is

only one instance.

CHAPTER
"

IV

GENERAL HINTS
The
deficiency of strength
will

want of art Boxiana.

may be greatly supplied with art but the have but heavy and unwieldy succour from strength."
;

BROADLYuniversally the most

is.

for

speaking no accessories are required boxing, which fact makes it the simplest,
attainable pursuit

there

Perhaps swimming may be excepted, for the necessary water may on an average be more easily found than a second pair of fists. Practically, of
course,

And

if

gloves are required, and suitable garments. you intend to go in for competitions you must

box in a roped ring in order to learn the advantages and disadvantages of a corner. But the art of self-defence and the sport of boxing should be separately regarded. For the former you should be able to fight encumbered by your ordinary clothes, on slippery grass, on rough and rutted ground, on greasy pavements, with no rope to confine

your

activities

or
wall.

to

prevent you from being

knocked against a

The

latter

but the dainty child of a stern parent. bears a closer resemblance to, favours

the sport True that

its

is
it

prototype

more than

fencing,

with padded gloves

though curiously enough practice is a less valuable schooling for

GENERAL HINTS

49

genuine and necessary fisticuffs than play with the buttoned foil is for the duel.
In civilized boxing you require scientific aids to refinement a level, boarded floor, that your feet may slide and glide and shift nimbly, swiftly, easily rubber:

soled shoes that the sliding may not be too easy seconds to bathe you with cold water and flap towels
;

before you between rounds as well as all the accoutrements of training, such as punching-balls and sacks,
;

and skipping

ropes.

best kit for boxing consists of a thin vest with short sleeves, loose calico or linen drawers, cut well above the knee, socks and light shoes or boots.
scarf should be

The

worn round the waist and

belts,

tied at the
in

back.

Buckled

even when fastened

this

manner, are liable to cause injury.

thick sweater

can be used for sparring practice and punching the ball, but it will always be found better not to wear trousers as perfect freedom is required for the knees. In a stern set-to a boxer will naturally want the lightest
possible covering. The choice of gloves is extremely important. in most relations of life the best that money can

As
buy

are the most economical, provided they are properly worn. Of late years, the most variously designed

mittens have been invented and sold, from an awkward contrivance which consists of a spherical bag

with a leather bar to hold inside

sort

it,

to the ingenious

which by protecting the wrist deprive the knuckles of their full share of padding. Certainly more comfortable gloves can now be procured than the usual old-fashioned type, and preference should be given to
4

50

THE COMPLETE BOXER

those which have the horse-hair in the right place, which are laced and not merely fastened with a band
of elastic, and which, most important of all, do not need to be worn a dozen times or more before they can be closed comfortably and without effort. To box with new gloves which you cannot close without considerable muscular exertion is an obvious For amateur competitions each glove handicap. must weigh eight ounces, and generally it is better to
practise with gloves of the regulation weight.

When

punching the ball it is a good thing to use an old pair, discarded for ordinary sparring, and in this case a
lighter glove
is

more

useful.

The importance

of wearing your gloves properly

:

cannot be exaggerated and this must be insisted on because the old-fashioned type of glove (which is very stiff when new) is still the most generally used. The glove should be drawn on to its fullest extent,
stalls.

care being taken to put the fingers into their right It is the commonest occurrence to find boxing

gloves that have been carelessly used in this respect, with the leather partitions muddled and torn and

However uncomfortable a stiff glove may displaced. be at the outset, once properly worn for a few times, the difficulty of pushing the finger-tips to the extremity of their partitions will be over.
It is

well

enough

provided the elastic

to use gloves with elastic bands, is renewed from time to time.

Otherwise supplementary tapes must be tied round With laced gloves a the wrist and over the thumb. bow should be tied on the front after the strings have

been taken round the

wrist.

GENERAL HINTS
should

51
place, after

Boxing gloves should be kept in a dry always be thoroughly washed if,

and an

encounter, there is any blood upon them. Apart from the question of cleanliness, blood dries hard upon
the leather,

and the rough surface may cut the skin

with which subsequently it comes in contact. When, owing to a slip or a knock down, your gloves have

touched the
body.

floor,

Particles of sawdust or
is

always dust them against your worse resin, with

which the ring

gloves, and are

generally sprinkled, will stick to the cause injury. Frequently, in these circumstances, a referee will order a boxer to
liable to

wipe his gloves before continuing to spar. Some boxers wear bandages nearly all professionals under their gloves. These should be of soft lint.

Bandages are

thumb, ounce gloves are worn. In no sport is the temptation stronger than in It is a temptaboxing to run before you can walk. tion more strenuously than some others to be resisted. You must learn to stand in position before you begin
to hit
to hit and guard simply and straightforwardly before you try the several kinds of fantastic blows to which various pugilists have given their names, or
:

particularly useful for protecting the especially in contests where lighter than eight-

which are called after the particular internal organ And it may as well be they are calculated to harass. noted here that, having learned the elements of
all

English upright boxing, and having subsequently tried the new-fangled dodges, the chances are strongly in favour of your returning to the simplest and least am speaking here for I sophisticated methods.

52

THE COMPLETE BOXER

amateur boxers, the majority of whom box for the sake of exercise and who find the somewhat oldfashioned and purely English style greatly preferable to the eccentric postures and ultra-scientific forms of attack mainly imported from America. With regard to the head, body, and feet, it is safe
;

to say that the regular English upright position is by far the best. Crouching and sprawling and attitud-

well enough for the highly experienced but even for him they are liable to prove Jim Driscoll, the most brilliant boxer of dangerous. the present generation, is a perfect exponent of the
inizing

may be

boxer,

upright and straight-hitting style. Crouching may help to protect the body, but it certainly exposes the

head

retreat

and if your feet are far apart, advance and must necessarily be both awkward and slow. Ease and comfort are best realized by the upright
:

style.

at the outset

it appears to be natural or comfortable on the contrary you have to grow accustomed to a strange position. New muscles are brought into play, and you will find yourself stiff and cramped

Not

that
:

until they are

both straight knees should be slightly bent, the left foot pointing directly in front of you, the right about ten to fifteen inches (according to your height) behind it, at an angle The left foot should rest of forty-five degrees or so. entirely on the ground, the right heel should be very
;

more fully developed. The head and body should be held

slightly raised.

In this

distributed

and

balance

way your weight is equally Your body maintained.

the hips.
foot
is

should always

move from

The

position of the

left

extremely import-

GENERAL HINTS
ant.
left

53

If

it

is

hand

will strike

not absolutely straight before you, your crookedly in the same direction

as that in which your toes point.

The
front.

left

foot should in all circumstances be in

Advancing or retreating this order should never be altered. The reason for this is If, plain. in attacking a man who retreats, you follow him and

change the order of your feet, you will be in a strained and awkward position. Your left shoulder and arm
will

be forced forward whilst your

left foot is

behind.

Position of feet (a)

when standing

still,

and

(b)

when advancing.

Should your opponent make a stand at that moment, a light blow will knock you over or what is worse you will find yourself confused and flurried, leaving
:

Retreating, this yourself open to a dangerous blow. of the feet is still more mischievous. muddling up
is

your balance should always be moved first, and when it is in position the right foot should be drawn up to the corresponding place. In moving the feet backwards and forwards, you should never

Kept

well apart

and

in their right order,

secure.

The

left foot

lift

them from the ground, but

slide

them along the

54
floor.

THE COMPLETE BOXER

That
is

why, as

observed above,
to

a level

boarded

floor is essential

boxing regarded as a

scientific sport.

to

When beginning to learn it is excellent practice advance and retreat across a room before a long

You can then see if you are making looking-glass. And in a little while the mistakes, and correct them. of your feet will become perfectly natural right placing
and spontaneous.
looking-glass other branches of boxing, as will be

is

useful in

many

shown

later on.

The body
the
left

should be held slightly edgeways, with shoulder well advanced, so as to leave as little
:

left

The target as possible for your adversary's blows. arm should be half extended, straight before you the right held diagonally across your chest, the elbow
well in to the side, the knuckles uppermost. The reason for this last is that the fleshy part of the under

forearm should be thrust forward to guard. Very severe bruises are likely to be caused by the constant impact of the bone of the forearm with your opponent's wrist. The left shpulder should be raised always to protect the chin, f This position will be found very cramping at first, and a considerable time will elapse before you become completely accustomed to it. Bijt it is highly important and should not be neglected. To lay down a hard and fast rule for the position
of the

though drill sergeants and other people who do things by numbers naturally believe that the same rule must suit everyone. At the public schools championships you can tell nearly always what school has an old soldier for its instructor, by the methods of its representatives especially if
is

left

hand

impracticable

GENERAL HINTS
their natural characteristics

55

one school sends up two or more boys. Whatever may have been, they are To be in in a precisely similar way. taught to box any way unique would seem to be a grievous breach
of esprit de corps} For the position of your left hand you should follow your natural movements as far as possible, moulding them to the requirements of science. You

your arm hang loosely at your side, and slightly bent and with the fist clenched, in the way that first occurs to you or rather without Some people will find their palm thinking of it at all. whilst the majority hold their knuckles uppermost, But it makes no difference to the subsideways. blow, which must always be given with the sequent
should
raise
let
it,
:

knuckles.

When

you are

constantly out with short, gliding steps, keeping your

in position it is well to keep moving sparring for an opening, moving in and

left

arm

working gently

like

a slow piston.
:

Move

your right

arm too, but not to the same extent. This constant movement serves two purposes your opponent can
from which side to expect danger and you will be keeping your muscles free and easy, ready on the instant to respond to any call that may be made
never
tell
;

upon them.

The

careful direction of a natural position is usually

better than

all preconthere are those who have course, no preconceived ideas, or those whose natural position

a revolutionary upheaval of

ceived ideas.

Of

1 This is only to be said of old soldiers ; for Service boxing during the last ten years has im roved out of recognition.

56
is

THE COMPLETE BOXER

such that
it is

best completely forgotten.

There

is

the natural fighter

his
fists,

No

who is always a good man with a dangerous antagonist, hard to be beat. amount of teaching or practice will ever make

scientific boxer. He generally has considerable strength and will often thrash a weaker man and a better boxer. Other things being equal the more scientific boxer will win. But the natural

him a thoroughly

He lacks polish fighter is not to be despised. attitude is uncouth, his movements are clumsy.
blow
will
:

his

His be dangerous when it lands, for he hits but much of his power is wasted. terrifically hard His attack is better than his defence, though that is not to say he cannot fight a losing battle. He can
will

and

with
rallies.

indomitable courage and occasional

is

surprising

By

a natural fighter

not meant the

man who

charges at you head down, using his arms like flails, but the man in whom certain essentials of real boxing
are
born.

One

of

these

is

straight

straight standing, but he cannot he is a poor hand at guarding.

glutton for fought encounter.

manage However he is a punishment, and he has won many a hard-

hitting his feet,

and and

universally known, every boxing encounter, whether it be a twenty round contest for the Championship of the World or the lightest of
practice spars,
at
this

As must be

preceded and concluded by the two opponents shaking hands. Sneers have been levelled
is

ancient and

symbolic

rite

by people who

believe boxing to be a very wicked business indeed. The fact is either that they take the handshake too

GENERAL HINTS
literally

57

of sport.

or else are unable to recognize the true spirit It is sheer hypocrisy, say these folk, that

two men who are bent on causing each other's downfall, on bruising and battering and making to bleed and drop from exhaustion each man his fellow, should make an ostentation of goodwill at the outset. Certainly in a serious fight, with bad blood in it, between say two schoolboys, there is no call for the preliminary shaking of hands. Whilst at the end the emotional qualities of the sternest and most reticent will, from fatigue and relief and the fact that a difference has for the moment been settled, in most
cases

make

spiration.

the simple act perfectly genuine in inIn the case of a competition, however, or
gloves, it is a sportsmen to deny their

a mere impromptu bout with the

dastardly imputation upon Those who find themselves too squeamish goodwill. to hurt their best friends, or be hurt by them as much

as possible and in the fairest and most cold-blooded way, had better remain ignorant of the various

which this may be done. Quite apart from this serious and careful aspect of the point in question, it is only fit that a certain punctilio should be observed in fisticuffs as in swordin

methods

play

more so as it is traditional. At the call of Time, the two combatants rise from the chairs or stools in their corners and meet in the middle of the For the sake of convenience, then, they should ring. They shake hands and fall occupy opposite corners. into position. Sometimes this is elaborated generin the case of professionals by the two men ally Somewalking past each other after shaking hands.
:

the

58

THE COMPLETE BOXER

silly affectation,

times this manoeuvre looks like a

it is

It is done in order to not altogether that. that no sudden blow is intended immediately after the

and show

handshake, that the fight shall start fair and square. However, it does sometimes happen that a man will hit you the moment he has released your hand
:

and when sparring with anyone of whose ideals of honour you are uncertain it is wise to step back To do this so as to take up the proper instantly. position at once, shake hands with your right foot foremost then draw it back, at the same time raising
;

your left arm into the attitude already described. Before detailing the various methods of attack and defence, a few general points should be noticed. Always keep your eyes wide open and fixed upon

The natural inclination of those of your opponent. a beginner very often prompts him to watch his man's gloves. By doing that he will be most surely deceived. What the gloves do preparatory to striking is only the concern of him who wears them. boxer, seeing that his antagonist has his eyes upon

his hands, will feint,

moving them
will first

this

way and

that,
is

puzzling his
is

man

who

think that his head

;

the point aimed

for,

then his body

until finally

he

thoroughly muddled and will try to guard every That leaves him open to a blow given point at once.
at leisure

and exactly as required. It is only by keeping your eyes on your opponent's that you can If, in turn, you see him look guess what he will do. take immediate advantage of the fact and press away
your assault.

Another important thing

to

remember

is

that the

GENERAL HINTS
teeth should be closed

59

should not be exaggerated) set. a light blow under the chin

and the jaw firmly (though this If you receive even

when your tongue

is

is

between your teeth the

tremely painful at that. not closed, you will far

obvious, and exMoreover, if your teeth are more easily be knocked out
result

or dazed by a blow on the side of the chin. Firmly the jaw can successfully resist ten times the impact set,
that
will

almost dislocate

it

when

loose.

It

is

question of leverage, which will be more fully dealt with when we come to knock-out blows,
clenched.

And, when hitting, always keep your hand tightly A blow with the open glove has no power

behind it to speak of, is not counted by the judges as a point gained, and in some cases may cause a considerable injury to the wrist. Even an experienced boxer is occasionally tempted to hit with the tips of his fingers, because it gives him a longer reach. But the practice is one to avoid. Also remember that is to that hitting with the "heel" of the hand say the lower part of the inside of the glove where And there is no padding is reckoned a foul blow.
this

upon the striker, to the extent And, of course, the same or to a hit with the wrist itself, or the elbow applies to butting with head or shoulders.
too

may

recoil

of breaking

his

wrist.

Always hit with the knuckles of either hand. Not only does this give greater power, but in the
event of swinging

when men are boxing, they should, broadly speaking, move round in circles. Always move towards your opponents left other:

(q.v.} It naturally follows that

saves injury to the thumb.

60

THE- COMPLETE BOXER

wise you will invite a smashing blow from his right

hand.

belt,

Hit your opponent where you please above the bearing in mind that blows high on the chest or on the shoulder are unlikely to have damaging
effects.

Never

let

your antagonist see that he has hurt

Of course it is almost impossible to disguise you. the fact when you receive a severe blow in the wind. Then you will gasp involuntarily. But when you
even on the jaw If you do your away. will naturally take advantage of it. If, on antagonist the other hand, there is no apparent effect, he will be just as cautious as before, believing that his blow landed not quite so hard as he had supposed, or not upon the vulnerable spot he had aimed for.
receive a hard blow on the face

you need not give the

fact

CHAPTER V

THE CARDINAL BLOWS

The muscles are as springs and levers, which execute the different motions of the body but by art a man may give additional force to them." PIERCE EGAN.
;

"

ninety-nine contests or sparring matches out of a hundred, and is therefore the first taught of the It is the simplest, perhaps the most instructor.
it is not a very easy because unless he is naturally perfect, left-handed or ambidextrous, he will find himself stiff and awkward in the constant employment of unaccus-

THE
of

all

straight left lead at the head is the best It is that first attempted in blows.

elementary.

To

the beginner

blow to make

tomed muscles. But a good straight left will repay months of attention and the assiduous drudgery of practice. After a time it becomes the least difficult blow to deliver and should be regarded from every aspect It is the safest as the cardinal method of attack.
blow there
target for
is,

for the reason that

it

leaves less of a

your opponent than any other. ,A left hand blow straight from the shoulder, repeated over and over again, is the most wearing to an opponent, and it goes from one point to another direct and
therefore

by the quickest

route.
6x

62

THE COMPLETE BOXER

As in learning the preliminary stages of foot-work, much good practice can be got in front of a lookingglass.

But of course it is impossible to tell except with an opponent facing you to what an extent your To theoretical knowledge has made you proficient.
deliver the straight left at the head, take

up your and push your arm forward straight at your position man's face. Do not, as you will want to, draw it The beginner generally believes that added back.
be given thus. It will not. The strength of a Brian's arm alone is insufficient to do much damage. \JThe arm should be regarded merely as a padded buffer with a heavy engine behind it. It is the weight of the body thrown behind a blow which tells. In order best to bring it into play

power

will

the

be advanced and the right heel This brings your weight not moved, but lifted. and forwards. The left arm should be just upwards The movements of arm straightened, as you strike. and foot respectively should be together or if you have lifted your left foot a little, the hand (if anything)
left

foot should

should strike
touches the

its

floor.

the body a little taneous movements, the greater part of your weight will drive your arm before it, making its impact of
the most violent kind.

objective a trifle before the foot Also as you hit you should swing to the left. By these several simul-

Some

little

added force

is

given to the blow by

twisting the hand over as you strike, but this is an elaboration better neglected until the ordinary method
is

thoroughly mastered.

As you

lead, raise the right

hand with the palm

THE CARDINAL BLOWS

63

But at the same time outwards to guard the face. should be ready instantly to drop your elbow to you stop a counter on the body. It is commonly found that beginners aim solely for the head. Whether this is done from some
savage instinct to mark the enemy where that mark may best be observed, it is not to be said off-hand but to make for the face alone is a first-rate mistake. Generally speaking, a persistent and vigorous attack upon a man's body will usually wear him out sooner than repeated blows upon the head always excepting
;

the angle of the jawTj

By "body"

is

meant
:

in

the

first

and most

important instance, the wind that is, the point where the ribs curve away from the breast bone. Any

hard sudden blow upon

this

spot

is

football, or from the fist of a boxer, tends to double up and gasp. There is a

overwhelming whether from a cricket or

effect.

The man who

fraught with receives it,

most nauseating and actually painful sensation, and frequently one who has been severely winded collapses

upon the

frequently is unable to rise before ten But apart from the wind, seconds are counted. almost any hard blow upon the body is calculated to
floor,

weaken a man.

Repeated attacks on the ribs having and a shrewd body blow, if it does is liable to make your naught else, opponent tuck in his stomach and so thrust his head forward. Where body blows are most obviously valuable
the effect of tiring him
:

is in

the case of the small

taller.

much

A
:

tage in boxing

pitted against another long reach is of inestimable advana specially long reach is like fighting

man

64

THE COMPLETE BOXER

;

a swordsman with a longer rapier than your own and the tall man naturally has this advantage over He can prop him off with his straight the small one. left so persistently and with such certainty that the But what small man can hardly ever reach his head. he can do, if he is of any use at all as a boxer, is to
slip
tall

past or duck that long

left

arm and

attack his

opponent's body.

And

he

will find

ample com-

pensation in this for his littleness of stature. In usual boxing, men are paired off to spar who are within one of the recognized limits of weight so
:

have a similar power behind their respective blows. But one of them may be a lanky giant and the other a broadthat
will

two men of eleven stone

shouldered, deep-chested fellow.

to

The

latter is likely

have much greater physical strength than the who in his turn is probably weedy. So that a heavy body blow from the stout little man will, at the least estimation, do as much harm as the long
other
:

arm
will

attack upon the latter's head.

when mention is made of in-fighting, it be shown how a short boxer may make the best of his shortness, and how easily accessible to him his
Later on
antagonist's

"mark" may
left

be.

right at the body are both comparatively easy to deliver successfully, particularly

(The

straight

and

In the former case, the position is in every the same as the left lead for the head, but with respect the glove striking downwards. In body blows the
the
latter.

weight can be even more emphatically brought to bear than in a blow at the head, but especially with the
left

hand

great care should be taken lest the glove

THE CARDINAL BLOWS

strike too low.

65

For body blows it is better to bend more, to come rather closer to your antagonist than for head blows and the left foot should come forward considerably more than with a blow at the head. A left hand body blow is exclu" " mark the right sively concerned with the wind or hand naturally comes more conveniently under the
the

arm a

little

region of the heart. In order to deliver a

left

hand body blow

it

is

As your opponent leads necessary to learn to duck. off with his left, instead of guarding the blow, merely
it by inclining your head to the right and allowhis arm to pass safely over your shoulder. ing doing this the feet should not be moved. At the same

avoid

When

time bring the

left foot forward and strike. For the hand body blow, you should bend your head to right the left as your opponent leads off, and it is well to come a little closer than in the case of the left hand Your feet should be nearer together, and the blow.

arm.

body should swing round heavily behind your right The unaccustomed boxer usually likes to use his right as much as possible, and this is the best The blow is one of the easiest opportunity for him. to bring off and is extremely effective. Every ounce
of weight can be brought to bear~\

Always, if you can, be first. The first really good blow in an encounter is often decisive. When you are boxing with a man whose powers and skilfulness are unknown quantities, and who is similarly ignorant about you, do your utmost to land the first blow and

make

it

a telling one.

man

is

the outset in this way.

5

He may

often discouraged at be led to think that

66

THE COMPLETE BOXER

you are a much better boxer than is actually the case, and will fight on the defensive accordingly. And press your attack and follow up an advantage. By this it is not meant that, having delivered a blow, you should remain in the same position. You will be But having struck a good punished for it if you do. come in again at once, and strike blow, get away,
another.
follow
:

him

steps foot with right, until

your man breaks ground before you, not carelessly or with rushing, heedless but quickly following left foot with right, left
If
:

Nothing
assault,
if

is

you can pen him in a corner. more demoralizing than the persistent
it

at the outset

has been successful.

At
;

the

time, so long as a man holds his ground, you should retire out of harm's way after each blow until,

same
that

is,

you have learned

instantly following left, Having led off with the left (whether

to give double or vice versa.

blows

right

you have

landed the blow or not) step back. The right foot should slide back first, then draw the left after it, all the while being ready to ward off a sudden attack on Retreat out of reach of his your opponent's part. blows but no further then come in again. Of course
;

when your man gives before you there is no question Then you should crowd in your blows as of retiring. quickly as possible, moving your feet continually forward in the proper manner left right leftBut, save in the case of a man you know for right.
certain to be your better (and even then, judicially) do your utmost to begin the fight to be first try
:

with a really hard straight blow. The best way in which to learn straight blows in

THE CARDINAL BLOWS

the
first

67
exercises,

instance

is

to

go

in

for regular

provided always that you ments to become wooden.

ally

follows

this

method

do not allow your moveA good instructor generbut it can be practised

equally well with a fellow pupil, so long as how to deal the several blows properly.

you know

be doing this while occupied by another This exercising for particular blows takes up pair. little space in a small room, where every square foot is of importance and it can be, both for beginners and adepts alike, quite as useful as sparring with a
In a club
if
it is

the ring

a good plan have only one you

to

is

punching
block.

ball.
it

be a choppingyour opponent stands on guard, and you lead with your left at his head with He will your left. Then you retire, then lead again. have a rigid guard all the time, so you need not be
in turn to

LEach man should take

First of
all,

we

will say,

afraid of taking
hit as

him unawares.

In

fact, it is

better to

hard as you can, so as to learn the art of putting weight behind your blow, of transferring every atom

of your

power

to the impact of
it

your glove upon

its

your turn to guard, standing You should take still, your man's blow on your glove, pressing it outwards When it is your business just before it would land. to hit again, try a left at the body, and then a double lead-off: left at the head and right at the body, and
objective.
is

Then

neither ducking nor countering.

so orC\

a great mistake, if you are teaching a beginner, In the first place, the to be the chopping-block only.
It is

pupil does not

have

his fair share of

guarding

and

in

68

THE COMPLETE BOXER

who has
become slow and stiff. A taught boxing for a number of

the second, you tend to

professional

years can never return to the ring with any reasonable hope of success. For, considered from all points of
view, teaching is the worst possible practice. But, of course, ordinary sparring should never be

two beginners get into hammer and tongs they will learn a good deal. Their mistakes must be corof course and now and again they should be rected,
;

And even when neglected. the ring and go for each other

pulled up

short by

the instructor

who

is

watching

they should never be allowed to repeat But for all that a good, a mistake without a caution. hard bout will find out what a man is worth, so long

them.

And

as he

is

well

grounded

in the

rudiments of the science.

At

the

same
on

time, a beginner should not be prepared

all comers promiscuously. If he does, he a perfectly unnecessary thrashing from somemay get one who likes an easy foe, and in this way he may be discouraged from continuing a promising career.

to take

exercises above referred to are of genuine value, and they are the only means by which a beginner

The

can acquire a perfect straight

is

left.

Nevertheless

it

easy,

by

mechanical.

overdoing these exercises, to become If you learn your lesson by numbers

(i) straight left at the head, followed at the body, with no variation your

by (2) a right opponent in a competition will very soon take the measure of you. But even if you do that, so long as the straight left is a really good one, you will readily beat many a more showy boxer. For such is the power of the best of
all

possible blows.

CHAPTER

VI

DEFENCE
"There
is

Robert Peel, " it asks more steadiness, self-control, ay, and manly You must take as well as give, courage, than any other exercise. eye to eye, toe to toe, and arm to arm."

nothing that interests

me

like

good boxing," said

Sir

boxing quickness is more than half the battle. Three or four movements, at first learned when perseparately and laboriously, merge fected into one another. After a time imperceptibly the right placing of hands and feet, the turnings of the

IN

head,

all

become second
attack, the

nature.

Save

in

specific

accustomed boxer's actions are and inevitable. He does not have quite spontaneous
to think, but
his

methods of

moves unconsciously.

Of

course

when

he wants to land a particular blow or to manoeuvre man into a certain position, he must think and plan and do it with extraordinary alertness, so that
agility of brain is quite as necessary as suppleness of

muscle.
{"it
it.

is

always better to avoid a blow than to stop

or slipping, or side stepping,

By ducking

not

only do you save yourself from your antagonist's intentions, but you can at the same time put yourself into a good position for a return. And the best way of avoiding any straight blow, but particularly the

70
left

THE COMPLETE BOXER

at

the

You And
have

see

head, depends entirely upon quickness. You time it. the straight left arriving.

at the

moment when your opponent means

it

to land,

you step back just out of reach. All you do is to plant your right foot back six or eight inches, at the same time throwing your head and shoulders back. The blow is then expended upon empty air and it should be mentioned into
;

cidentally that the man who violently strikes nothing, himself and putting is liable, besides over-reaching himself into a slightly top-heavy position, to jar his

arm

severely.

But do not lean back more than

is

absolutely necessary, or you will be in a perfectly hopeless attitude from which it is extremely difficult
to

recoveQ

the other hand, if you have just got out of distance, you are in a perfect position for an instan-

On

taneous return.

At the precise moment that your arm has reached its fullest extent in the opponent's attempt to hit you, draw up your right foot, slide in
your left and strike. This is a first-rate opportunity for your own straight left, or for a right at the body, or when you come to learn it a left hook-hit at the jaw. But to be fully effective such a return must be timed to the fraction of a second and that can only come of practice. Ducking has already been It should referred to in connection with body blows. be borne in mind, however, that the movement may prove dangerous, especially where the head is lowered
;

as well as shifted to the side.

that brings it within reach of a hook-hit from your opponent, or an uppercut a difficult blow, which will be dealt with later on.

For

DEFENCE

71

Ducking and moving the head backwards to avoid a straight blow and forwards to protect the chin, develops the muscles of the neck to a remarkable That is why most habitual boxers are bulldegree.
necked.

Some

experienced

bend

their knees

and go down so

boxers when ducking far as to be almost

sitting

on their haunches in order to let a blow pass over their heads. This is not to be recomright mended, however, since the most agile boxer will find it difficult to recover his upright position sufficiently

quickly.

Besides,

if

done continually,

this

constant bobbing up and down is likely to be tiring. And one of the great points in scientific boxing is to reserve your strength and so to manoeuvre as to let

your antagonist do most of the work and

possible, tire himself.

let

him,

if

Slipping, on the other hand, though

to

more hard

make
;

attack.
left

Wait
if

perfect, is less likely to leave you open to until your adversary leads off with his

or

off and, as the

this,

you can do so by a feint, invite him to lead blow comes, duck to your right. Do

not by lowering the head, but by turning your left shoulder towards him, at the same time advancing with the left foot well past him. In this way his left

arm

pass harmlessly away not merely over your own shoulder, but outside it, and you if you are quick and he is slow can be at the other side of the
will

ring before he realizes what has happened. But, unless you have some very adequate reason for getting completely out of reach, it is infinitely better to stop and take advantage of the position you

have gained.

By

turning out the

left

foot

that

is,

72

THE COMPLETE BOXER

towards your opponent and bringing round the right its corresponding position, and by doing this at the utmost speed, you will be in the right attitude for attack whilst your man is still wondering why he hasn't hit you. You are then in a position for planting a short-arm blow with the right on his ribs, or you may be able to get in a hard right to the side of his head over his extended shoulder.
to

The
ticular
it is

side-step

is

used, less for avoiding

series of them.

any paris

blow than a

That

to say,
;

the best

either

when

way of breaking your antagonist's rush he is trying to pen you against the

It is a most necessary dodge ropes or in a corner. to learn, but should not be attempted until you thoroughly understand ducking and slipping and

getting

away out of distance. Your opponent has gained some

small advantage,

You have been and, as he should, has followed it up. unable to stand against him and have retreated, steadily and in good order until you find yourself
in a corner.
liable to

Once resolutely hemmed in, you are become flustered and confused you cannot
;

any more, and sooner or later your opponent will get in a blow that may finish the matter there and then. So as soon as you find yourself in this predicament, make up your mind to be out of it at There are two ways of doing this one as once.
retreat
:

already indicated by side-stepping

force.

the other by sheer

more.
bent,

You have gone back You make a stand,

until

you can go back no hold both arms slightly

and go straight for your man, fighting him, That is well enough if you can forcing him back.

DEFENCE
rely

73
his,

on your strength being greater than

to bear the strain.
is

and

if

you are able also

LSide-stepping

less heroic

but of more practical

:

use. there will be no Strength is not required severe strain on your reserve force. Turn the body

suddenly to the right, at the same time taking a good pace to the right with the right foot. Keep your head turned to the left so as to watch your opponent.
foot immediately into its proper position in front of the right, and you will find yourself well away to your man's left and out of danger. You
left

Draw up

the

will

then be able either to get away to the middle

or,

ot

the ring,

which

is

better, turn the tables

opponent by forcing him

occupied only a
this

into the corner

before.

moment

on your which you Needless to say,

manoeuvre must be accomplished with lightning

if it is

speed,
until

to achieve its

purpose^
is

The

reason

why
it

side-stepping

better left alone

more elementary and more important movements

is

are learnt

that

reverses

golden rule which

in front.

insists

on

the just for a moment the left foot always being

Also, just for a

moment, you are standing

upset your balance. Side-stepping can best be practised with a sparring partner or instructor stronger than yourself, and well
in
little will

a position

when very

able so far as force

corner.

is

concerned to keep you

in the

These then are the ways in which to avoid blows. We come now to the far more common, but on the
whole
said
less

desirable guard.

It

has

already

when taking up your position opponent, the right arm should be held
that

been facing an

diagonally

74

THE COMPLETE BOXER

across the chest with the knuckles inwards, so that the muscular part of the forearm and not the bone

may

stand the brunt of the blow

it

has to meet

or rather not so

much

the blow as the forearm of

lead at the head thrust

your opponent. Lin order to guard a

out the
return

left

firmly in the position described, and to its original position immediately afterwards, that you may be prepared for another blow.
it

arm

Take
guard.

care to hold the

arm diagonally still as you Most beginners make the capital mistake of
;

If you do that the forearm is raising their elbow. and your opbut a narrow bar across the face can hit over or under it as he pleases. Held ponent

slantwise

it can be moved to left or right far more than the horizontal arm can be shifted up or surely down. Besides, even when held perfectly still, the

diagonal guard covers far more of the target. necessary to put considerable power behind the

It

is

arm

as you push it out to guard, as otherwise it may be And then the blow may badly hurt or beaten down.

land after

all

J
left

[To
do
It
is

hand body blow, all you have to " mark." your arm so as to guard the be held slightly away from the should, however,
stop a
to lower

body, as otherwise the

arm may be driven

you against your body though, of course, it will be in a modified

as to allow

so forcibly to feel the blow

form^

^Guarding a right hand body blow is, of itself, You merely have to lower the left arm quite easy.

somewhat so

that the elbow protects the ribs.

in

Un-

fortunately, however, you are seldom

a position

DEFENCE
to
in

75

do

it is when your left arm is extended a lead at your opponent's head that he is most

that, since

likely to

duck and

try the

blow

in

question.

You

should then be prepared to cover your left ribs with your right glove. right handed blow at the head either of the

CA

straight

swinging variety (that most frequently employed by beginners) is unquestionably the easiest to stop effectually. Your left arm being naturally held fairly high, it only remains to make it rigid and nothing can get past it from the outside and nothing from the inside that your right arm guard cannot account for. Also, of course, you can guard the face from a right hand blow by bending your left arm at the elbow remembering, as with the right arm guard, to turn the knuckles towards your face and the muscular side of the forearm to the
or
;
; ;

~*

the position, strongly recommended, shoulder held perpetually high renders it extremely difficult for your antagonist to touch that the jaw. part of your face which is most vulnerable

Then,

too,

with the

left

doubt with bare knuckles this high-held shoulder would be less effectual. An eight ounce glove makes your fist above three times its natural size, and therefore unable to glance through (so to say) the joints in your harness, as a naked fist would. Moreover bare knuckles could do more damage to the upper
part of your face.
cannot, unless your strength be really prodigious, knock out a man by a blow full in the face given with a well padded glove. blow

No

You

on the side of the temple or behind the ear may do

76

THE COMPLETE BOXER

readily enough, but the only damage likely to occur in the front of the face is the breaking of a In the days of nose or the blackening of an eye.

so

knuckle fighting it was a great thing to pound away your man's eyes so that they became badly swollen and he could not see. But it is comparatively rare for such a contingency to arise with ordinary
at

boxing gloves^ To refer back to ducking, there is a trick practised sometimes in ordinary boxing which is foul, but which is certainly allowable and even to be

recommended in a serious street encounter. The word " street" will be understood to convey an occasion when you are attacked (it may be in a country lane) and you have to defend yourself or someone else with your bare fists. It often happens too that the trick is done unintentionally. When
he ducks instead of merely avoiding his opponent's lead, an unfair boxer will come in close and bring his left shoulder into heavy contact with his man's ribs. Such a blow may cause very considerable damage, a referee will call a boxer who does it to order, and if he persists, disqualify him. This invaluable dodge for a rough-and-tumble fight is made still more effective by throwing back the left arm just as the shoulder meets your opponent's ribs. This puts the bone into relief and makes a sharp But in ordinary boxing, quite apart from the point.
usually much better policy to duck away from a blow at a distance, and not to come to such close quarters as would be necessary

unfairness of the trick,

it is

when

the shoulder

is

brought into play.

GUARD FOR

AT

STRAIGHT LEFT, WITH LEFT HAND COUNTER ON THE

"MARK"
(see

pages 74 and 79)

DEFENCE

77

Another point to be remembered with regard to body blows is that when within range of the enemy's arm, always keep your stomach muscles well set. As this requires a certain amount of effort, they can be safely relaxed when you are out of distance but " " the difference between a blow on the mark when the large abdominal muscles are closed over it and one given when they are not, is just the same as upon the open and closed jaw. A man with well
:

developed muscles can take a mighty lot of hard but a blow there when the hitting in that region muscles are undeveloped or allowed to be soft and slack is like a blow on a window with the shutters
:

open.

CHAPTER

VII

COUNTER BLOWS
" Strength, most undoubtedly, is what the boxer ought to set out with, but without art he will succeed but poorly." Boxiana.

blows are those which are intended

opponent's They COLMMTER your and should not be attempted number, many
in

to frustrate

lead.

are

by the beginner in boxing until the elementary forms of offence have been thoroughly mastered. The right hand body blow is, of course, often a counter that is, a blow given in return to one of your opponent's for
;

You leading off with the right is always dangerous. should wait for your antagonist's left lead at the head,
or better
still

For the straight right hand lead the most difficult blow to bring
there

for his right lead at the same spot. at the head is about
off successfully that

If your opponent attempts this, you cannot is. do better than to counter with the right on the body. [One of the most effective counters you can use is the straight left, to stop your man when he is rushing It is a famous mistake to charge or jump in you.

at a

you jump you are liable to or one of them is off the ground when, therefore, you have no balance. Your downfall will be almost certain in that case. But it is particularly inadvisable to rush a man who
at
If

man

any time.

be

hit

when both your

feet

COUNTER BLOWS
is

79
is

retreating slowly,

and guarding well and who

obviously not dead beatTj will say that you are retreating like

We

this, in

good order, trying to draw your opponent after you. Believing that he has you in his power, he rushes

perhaps with both arms half extended, or with one drawn back to swing. Stop short suddenly with

your left straight and rigid before you, and he will His whole weight will be behind him run on to it. and if at the same moment you throw your shoulder forward and advance your left foot, your weight will be added also. Such a blow with the force of your combined bulk behind it is not readily forgotten by
:

the

man who gets it. The most common form

/As
its

of counter blow
it is

is

the

hook-hit.

bent arm.

One

suggests, given with the of the best methods of using the

name

hook
left.

is

to wait for

your antagonist to lead with his

Guard the blow with your right arm, at the same time coming a little closer to him. As his shoots out, lower your left arm and hit out, with the knuckles uppermost, at his mark. Do not put much behind that blow, but instantly draw back weight your arm and send a similar blow to the angle of his The first, if it has no other effect, will draw jaw. down your man's guard; and the second, if you are
quick enough, will land in a most damaging manner. When hitting with your left at a man's body, be careIf he holds it low ful always to avoid his elbow.

over his ribs and well pointed, it forms a dangerous There was a case spike even through a thick glove.
of a

man who swung

his left heavily at his opponent's

8o
ribs,

THE COMPLETE BOXER

caught him on the elbow and found subsequently

that through the padding of an eight-ounce glove he had broken a bone of his hand and put two knuckles

out of joint.

hook at the jaw is a first-rate blow. Properly timed and judged it has often finished a battle, or at least paved the way for the decisive blow coming next after it. Really there is no need to A complicate it by the preliminary hit at the body. double hit in any case is seldom of much use unless given by a boxer of the most tried experience. Double hits depend for their success entirely upon speed, and speed of a by no means common order. But either of these blows at the body or at the head taken separately is an admirable counter. If you

^The

left

don't contrive to land the blow, you will not be in any worse case than you were before if you do, you
;

can follow

up promptly with another, or with a hand blow at the jaw. At all events the great right thing is to keep pegging away at your man, never
it

him alone, so long as you have the power to hit hard?\ There is, of course, a limit to the advisability~oTpersistence, and that will be discussed in the
to leave

chapter given to Competitions.

|The most generally used crooked blow is the right hand cross-counter on the jaw, which has been responsible for more knocks out than any other. This is delivered when your opponent leads with his left. You duck to the left yourself, and bring your To right hand across to the jaw over his shoulder. do this the right arm should be well bent, so that your glove and elbow is in a straight line at right

COUNTER BLOWS

81

But if you try this blow with angles to his head. the arm only partially bent, so that your elbow and
your opponent's as he leads are alongside each other, you will only reach his ear or eye or cheekbone. His shoulder and upper arm will be between your In any case, owing to a man's glove and his jaw. shoulder being well lifted to protect the side of his face, the blow will often have no effect at aljTl Of course, the ideal condition for a rignt hand
cross-counter
tired to hold
is

when your opponent

his

is

either too

underrating your a good plan to follow up a right hand cross-counter with instantly a straight left at the face. To do that well, you should step back a little and come forward again
or,

up

shoulder,

own power,

is

careless about

it.

It is

quickly with the

as in an ordinary lead off. It cannot be too frequently repeated that a boxer

left foot,

must always follow up an advantage. You will see a man sometimes land a good blow and then stand off to watch its effect and admire it. That simply means that his opponent has time in which to recover from
its

effects.

Even when weaned,

fail

or possibly
It

hurt

yourself,

never

to

keep on at your man.

needs

considerable determination sometimes, but then determination (to be Irish) is one of those many things
in

boxing which are half the battle. The upper-cut a very over-rated blow
them,

is

for

some reason or other a great temptation

to beginners.

The should be eschewed. blow requires considerable cleverness to be of any real use, as of its nature it is difficult to put much It can be done, but not by an inweight behind it.
By
however,
it

82

THE COMPLETE BOXER

The upper-cut is used when your experienced boxer. opponent ducks too low, or when, as often happens with a clumsy boxer, he habitually bends his head
opportunity for a left hand upper-cut is frequently given when a boxer aims a left hand body blow at you from too great a distance. His feet will
forward.

An

be very

far apart,

and

his

head

will

in front of you.

You drop your own

it

be low and right left and bring it

from the elbow, into his face. The knuckles should be uppermost. You will have to twist your body a little to the right in order to throw any weight behind the blow, at the same time A similar chance somejerking your left shoulder.

up suddenly, bending

times arises for your right hand when your opponent tries his right at the body, and then since your left
foot
is

advanced you

will find

it

easier to get weight

into the blow.

The

upper-cut most frequently occurs

during in-fighting (y.v.). And then there is the swing (with either hand) which may be a counter and which may not the most beloved blow of all beginners and many old stagers
:

a very effective one when it does land, and except against an already beaten man quite the most dangerous to the smiter of the whole list. This blow is given

by drawing back the arm as

it

far as

it

will

go and

forward with the whole weight behind it swinging at the side of the opponent's jaw. Its merits usually are therefore obvious. If such a blow lands in the no one can stand against it. And as said right place,
above, in the case of a man already so worn out that he cannot raise his arms to guard, it is certainly a good way of finishing him off. But equally obvious

COUNTER BLOWS
are the demerits of the swing, and they outweigh

83
its

advantages. In the first place, the swing is dangerous to attempt because you must draw your arm right back and away

from your body

makes

it

and that not only exposes it, but impossible to bring your arm back into
:

position in time to guard a blow.

for straight

Your preparation

blows need give no inkling to the adverof your intentions. The swing sends him a sary message "gives him the office," to employ ancient jargon long before the blow can by any possibility land. So, if he has his wits about him, he makes perfectly certain of thwarting it by a hard straight left, which must come in first for the simple reason that it has about a quarter the distance to travel.
If that objection is

not sufficient there are others.

especially careful when other time to hit with the big
it

You must be even more

swinging than at any
knuckles.
to

And somehow

does not come naturally

that, and in the flurry and excitement of dealing a prodigious blow the boxer forgets and hits with his thumb. At the least it will be badly sprained often it is Of course a boxer has no put out of joint. business to be flurried and excited, but nevertheless even those of many years' experience very often are. If you put your thumb out, that hand will be useless

do

for hitting for the rest of the encounter. And then to a man whose strength and agility are still unimpaired, a swing should be an almost ludi-

To guard it, the half crously easy blow to frustrate. bent arm held well away from your head on either side
is

enough.

Of avoiding

it

entirely, there are

two ways.

84

THE COMPLETE BOXER

Firstly, by coming in close to your man preparatory an onslaught with half-arm body blows. In that case your antagonist's swing (if it is intended for your jaw) will be wasted on air somewhere behind your But be careful to come forward towards him head. near enough otherwise the swing may land on the back of your neck, and if it is a particularly hard one, you may be knocked out of time by that. Such cases have been known. Secondly, you can step back just as you would to avoid a straight left only step back a little farther. This is much the better method, for then not only will your adversary's arm swing round into emptiness, but

to

the force of
to illustrate

it

In order put him off his balance. this fact, you have only to stand in the
will

ordinary position for boxing and swing at an imaginary Your feet being rather close together and all head. your weight suddenly shifted from one side to the

be evidently perilous. If in a competition or serious combat you are fortunate enough to make your adversary do this, you can step
other,

your position

will

in quickly and punish him without the slightest fear qf a return. Then there is an infallible guard with the left for

the right swing at the head, which merely consists in holding out your arm slightly bent and in stepping

back a

little

shoulder.

so that the hit cannot land over your The swing lands on that, and if (as often

happens with a wild boxer) the arm comes with the inner side foremost, its contact with your elbow will be considerably painful to the striker. The chances
are indeed strongly in favour of his

arm being made

COUNTER BLOWS
useless for

85

some minutes

afterwards, or even for the

rest of the fight. Of course the elbow should never be used in this manner with malice prepense but he
:

who swings should remember that he may expect it and in a street fight it is certainly a legitimate guard, and a definite practice to bear in mind. The same thing may be done with the right arm
to

swing but this entails extending your right away from the body and thus leaving it open. Swinging then is a dangerous practice and should only be resorted to with a tired opponent, or one who
left
;

guard a

obviously the worser scientific boxer. a most important part in relation (^Feinting plays You are (for the sake of argument) to counter blows.
is

therefore you particularly fond of a right at the body want to draw your opponent's guard away from that
:

head with your left that is to say, with your eyes on his, move your arm not too violently forward, and so draw up his guard. Then duck away from his counter, which will probably be of the same kind, and go in with your right] An excellent plan in a competition, and especially towards the end of it, if you feel fairly strong, is to make a regular succession of left-leads. Apart from all else, if they land, they add up the points in your Left left left one after another, and your favour. opponent will think you mean to do nothing else, perhaps that you have hurt your right hand and cannot hit with it. Left, left, and he will be taken completely by surprise when you suddenly duck and Some men drop bring the right home on his body. both their hands in order to give their adversary a
part.

Pretend to lead

off at his

86

THE COMPLETE BOXER

he attacks and
is

free target, meaning to spring aside as But this take him at a disadvantage.

very unwise,
to accept the

as a

good boxer
feint

will

be quick enough

invitation intended as a fraud.

which may be useful, but in an boxer apt to recoil upon itself, is to duck inexperienced rather low to the left to invite an upper cut on that side and then to straighten your head and bring But unless this your left into your opponent's face. is done with remarkable speed and smartness, you will receive the upper cut, and have no chance for
:

Another

your own counter.

CHAPTER

VIII

IN-FIGHTING
"Why
about the pugilists this pother? first shake hands before they box Then give each other plaguy knocks, With all the fondness of a brother."

These

AS

has been said earlier in this book, the preliminaries of foot-work may most usefully be Nimblepractised in front of a long glass.
is

ness of feet

just as important

to

the successful

boxer as quickness of head and hand. A good dancer will find his gentle art of great value when he comes to learn the rough one. After a sharp rally especially with a man heavier than yourself you should break ground that is, not merely get away after a blow, but retreat in good order to rest or to recover, perhaps from a damaging hit. To do this, lead with your left, at the same time guarding with your right plant your left foot firmly on the ground, push on it, and spring well
: ;

back.

As your

left

foot touches the

front of your right (when, in fact,

ground again in you are in your

:

original position), repeat the process again to do it so quickly as to make almost one

but learn
this so

movement

of

practice you as never to fear for your balance.

it.

With

will

be able to do

88

THE COMPLETE BOXER

The ordinary foot-work required in straightforward boxing is simply a matter of practice and a really good boxer should never need anything else. There is one trick, however, which has become so popular owing to the skill with which professionals
;

use
is

it,

that
"

called

can scarcely avoid some mention. This " and was brought over from changing feet
it
;

one of those deceptive things that look beautifully easy when done by a first-rate man, but which is both difficult and dangerous. Changing the feet should never on any account be attempted by any one who has not thoroughly mastered the principles of ordinary footin

America

the

first instance.

It is

work.

As you advance upon your opponent

left

foot

and hand in front in the usual manner you suddenly draw the left foot back and put the right in its place, thus breaking one of the most important rules of

The movements involved good English boxing. must be so quick as to appear one to the onlooker and yet must not degenerate into a jump off the As your right foot comes down on to the ground.
;

ground quite close to your opponent's left, you swing This can or hook your own left hand to his body. be complicated by a second and harder blow to his jaw without moving the feet. You then spring back Fitzsimmons was a again into the ordinary position. brilliant exponent of the dodge, and used it with tremendous effect but it is not to be done by
:

everybody.
underlying idea is to convert your left arm into as powerful a weapon as your right for the occa-

The

IN-FIGHTING
sion
:

89

for with
all

swing

your right foot in front it is easier to your weight behind the left arm blow than

in the ordinary position. So much for the of changing feet when it is properly done.

advantage
that

On

the other hand,

it

is

more than probable

be slow over the manoeuvre, and your man you may literally catch you tripping. Once the feet are out of gear, out of their normal positions, you can And if your annever depend on your balance. is quick enough to hit you at the moment tagonist when your feet are level and close together, you are bound to go down, and a fall even from a light blow is a Apart from any disconcerting occurrence. hurt involved it is disheartening. Or things may be even worse with you. Your opponent may surprise
will

you as before, hit you when you are unsteady, and, not knocking you down, continue to punish you whilst you are trying probably in vain to resume the old

The position. flurried then.

coolest-headed

man

is

apt to be

necessary branch of boxing, but one that is fraught with several dangers is in-fighting which,
:

roughly interpreted, with short, half-arm blows.

this,

means

fighting at close quarters,

There is nothing than from the onlooker's point of view, which gives keener pleasure to the lover of scientific boxing. It requires a very quick eye and some intimate know:

and it ledge of the sport to appreciate in-fighting needs two fair-spirited boxers to make it possible at
all.

For

in-fighting your attack

your guard quicker amateur, in-fighting, to be kept up for any appreciable

quick,

still.

must be uncommonly For the average

90

THE COMPLETE BOXER

It
it

length of time, needs the very finest training. and you may take extremely exhausting
:

is

for

an average amateur) more of granted your opponent's blows will land on your head and body than you will guard. At the same time, if you can stand the strain of hitting left-right and right-left
that (being
in the quickest possible succession, there is always a good chance of damaging your man. For a short man tackling a tall one, in-fighting is

highly useful.
in boxing,

long reach
tall

is

of enormous advantage
if

and the

man

with long arms,

it.

he

is

well taught, will

his

make

the most of

He

will
:

do

utmost to prop you off with his straight left and you will sometimes find it very difficult to get past it. He will naturally do everything he can to prevent you from coming close to him, thereby rendering his
reach useless.

But

it

is

worth risking something to

gejL inside his long arms.

LJDo not rush or charge, or you will merely increase the power of his blow. The best way is to duck inside a straight left at your head and then to
he is near the ropes at the time, or you can drive him there, this onslaught at the tall man's wind will be still more effective. He will be unable fo get away before you have sent him half a dozen short, hard blows and all the while he will be trying desperately to upper-cut you and to force you away. His arms will be over your head and his gloves will beat upon the back of it, unlikely to do much harm. Should you, on the other hand, happen to be the tall man when your short opponent has come in close to you, drop your arms a little, now

pound away

at his body.

If

IN-FIGHTING

91

that your long reach is of no avail, keep your elbows bent well in front of you so as to protect the body,
force of your blows on the upper part of your adversary's face to push him away.^] In order to get as much power as possible behind
strive

and

by the

It is your blows, you should swing your shoulders. for in-fighting to be effective, to keep your necessary, arms rather closer together than is usual in long range

boxing
body.

and

to hit quite straight, particularly at the

is

Your jaw

more or

less protected

by

carry-

ing your head low with your chin on your chest. By bringing your head down when attacking your opponent's body, you give him good opportunities for upper-cuts, though not for very hard ones. Your chin will be safe from them, but your nose will not. When getting away after a sharp rally of in-fighting
that is to say, hold you should cover up well both fore-arms rigid and vertical in front of your face about six inches away. At the same time bend forward a little. Your elbows will protect your body,
:

and as you step back your antagonist

to touch your jaw.
1

will

be unable

'Covering up" in this way is useful sometimes when breaking ground away from an opponent who
has just given you a severe blow on the side of the chin, enough to daze you a little without actually

The most useful blow to bringing you to the floor. be delivered when in-fighting is a short, sharp, jolting
one which only travels six or eight inches to your antagonist's jaw. Repeated again and again this is a And a systematic attack on his very punishing hit.
body, preferably at the "mark,"
is

very wearing.

92

THE COMPLETE BOXER

But the chief objection
to

in-fighting
is

is

that

it

leads

so

easily

to

clinching and

As

clinching
clinch

has,
it

nowadays,

assumed
:

spoiled by it. rather an

alarming aspect,

may

should be particularly explained. be unavoidable and it is then,

the

figuratively speaking, by the other. You

embrace of each boxer

literally
fall

may

into

your

especially in-fighting opponent's arms, your arms may become hopelessly entangled and your instinct tells you to hold tight and start fair. Instinct in this case should be severely subdued. Immediately you find yourself in holds, break away. As a rule, in amateur boxing this should be quite spontaneous each man springing back readily, trusting his opponent not to hit him while he is

or

when

doing

so.

It is

more

usual,

however,

in

practice for each

man to put his gloves on his opponent's shoulders and separate by a mutual push. If you do not
will very an experienced Generally, quickly you referee (who talks as little as he possibly can) will wait for a moment to give you the chance of getting

break of your
tell

own

accord,
so.

the

referee

to

do

of your own accord. When your opponent deliberately holds your arm or body to prevent you from hitting, you should place the palm of your

away

free

hand on

his

chin, not

pressing his head back, And so long as he holds you, and you do not hold him, you are at liberty to inflict what punishment

hitting him, but firmly so that he must let go.

you can. There

is

nothing which so utterly ruins boxing

IN-FIGHTING

93

from the spectacular point of view, and from the It is true boxer's own point of view, as clinching. the most virulent spoil-sport that ever tried the " man shall not profit patience of a good referee. and that his own laches," says a legal maxim by

why clinching and holding to avoid punishment If a man is hit, it is because so essentially unfair. he has failed to guard or avoid the blow if he
is

is

doesn't land a blow, it is because he is not skilful or quick enough. Therefore further punishment in the former case, and in the latter retaliation, is

He should not be allowed only what he deserves. to avoid it by breaking a rule. But that is exactly
what an increasing number of boxers do. They are, let us say, getting rather more than they bargained
for
;

and

in order not to

or are hotly pursued, or driven into a corner ; be hurt any more, they clutch
is unfair.

hold of their antagonist, seeking to baulk his hitting.

That

is why boxing as a sport is radically from boxing as a means of self-defence. If in a serious row you have to defend yourself, you will certainly do anything in your power to avoid punishment although incidentally, clinching, or indeed any fighting at close quarters, is not to be recommended with the hooligan type of ruffian.

And

that

different

In a sport,

you

must

not

take

certain

obvious,

physical advantages. many cases there would

were allowed, in be practically no hitting Two men would shake hands, lead, fall into at all. each other's arms and display all the symptoms of acute affection until the call of time. If a boxer
If clinching

94

THE COMPLETE BOXER

to

nothing short of disqualification he, as a beginner, falls unconinto the habit, he should be reminded of it sciously every time that he puts on the gloves, and his
clinch
will stop

means

him.

If

instructor will
his

do well

to

associate

the
;

mind with a severe dig

in the ribs

practice in just as one

couple the ideas of a chicken yard and a in the mind of a puppy. whip It will be seen from the boxers' proximity to each
tries to

other how easy it is for in-fighting to degenerate into a series of clinches. But there is not the smallest need for it. So long as both men continue to hit

and guard cleanly and mean it, so long in nine cases out of ten will they keep separate. Clinching is, moreover, not only an unfair means of defence, but has its nefarious uses on the other If you have worked your man into a corner side. and he not trying to side-step or slip past you
tries boldly to fight his
is

way out by sheer

force,

it

manifestly inexcusable to stop him by holding instead of bearing the brunt of his attack.

him

CHAPTER

IX

KNOCK-OUT BLOWS
"

A less

quantity of strength."

degree of art will tell far more than a considerably greater Boxiana.

blow which causes a man to

fall

so that

ANY
he
is

is

unable to a
is

rise within

called

Knock-Out

a reasonable time Blow. By far the

most common

given with either hand upon the point of the jaw. The word " point " is misleadIt is not the extreme end of the chin that is ing.
that

meant, but the jawbone from an inch to an inch and a half on either side of it. Delivered higher up towards the ear, the blow is not so effective, because the leverage is less. The sensations caused by a blow of this kind which does not succeed in bringing a man down is one of sudden shock, rather
than of actual pain and everything appears misty more severe blow intensifies for a few seconds. the shock, and the man who receives it staggers and falls. It may be taken as a dependable rule that
;

when he falls forward, he is knocked The physiological causes for these

without
follows
:

out.

results are details

going

into

elaborate

medical

as

The points of the jawbone fit, on either side of the head, into a socket. Immediately behind
95

96
that
is

THE COMPLETE BOXER

the temporal

A bone, which is very thin. on either side of the jaw levers up the blow, then, point on to this thin bone and gives a shock to
the base of the brain, greater or less according to the power behind the blow and the amount of
leverage.

The

effect is instantaneous

though

fleet-

ing concussion and paralysis. cross-counter is the best means of producing this result, for the arm of the striker moves at

right angles to the objective, which leverage to the blow.

gives the

full

There

is,

who was known

is,

or was, a notable boxer in America as the iron-jawed man, because

nobody ever succeeded

in knocking him out. It however, probable that he owed his invulnerability not to the strength of his jaw, but to the abnormal

thickness of his skull.

The same rule applies to hits on the temple and if hard the back of the ear, both of which enough may knock a man out. very severe blow on the

back of the head gives a shock to the brain from back to front a contre-coup and this, too, though cases of it are rare, may upset a man. The blow on the " mark " comes next in importIt is not very often that this alone knocks a ance. man out. An experienced and hardened boxer, one with well developed abdominal muscles, especially learns never to expose his body without contracting them so that the effect of a blow is greatly minimized. But a severe blow on the "mark," or a series of them, is bound to weaken a man whilst a single upper-cut there is almost sure to bring his head rightly placed
; ;
:

KNOCK-OUT BLOWS
forward.
If his

97

muscles are not tightly set and the blow is particularly hard, the boxer who receives it gasps for breath. This is a common enough sensation to the majority of people, boxers or not. Any

sudden knock just beneath the breast-bone will wind To make it more effective in boxing it should you. be directed slightly upwards. The blow causes a shock to the diaphragm or midriff, and it is the consequent paralysis of this which causes the condition usually described as " being
winded."
a huge shield of muscle dividing And from its proximity the chest from the stomach.
is

The diaphragm

an exceptionally hard blow on the " mark may give a shock to the heart also. This may also be accounted for by the shock to
the large nerve-centre known as the solar plexus. But doctors have yet to make up their minds quite

"

completely as to the various secondary causes and primary effects in the case of knock-out blows.
In an
issue

of the

Professor Osborne, of Melbourne University, on the subject.

"
If

Sportsman (October 1907) is quoted

he

said,

a blow was delivered on the point of the chin," "the impact was transmitted to the temporal

bone,

and from that to the semi-auricular canals, which were the organs of equilibrium. When the fluids that these canals contained were shaken violently,
the recipient momentarily lost all sense of balance, and, as a direct result, fell to the ground a helpless mass of bone and muscle.
"

In the solar plexus knock-out, the vagus nerve,

7

98

THE COMPLETE BOXER

which was affected, slowed down the heart pulsations, and the recipient of the blow became faint. But this blow was not dangerous except where the heart was affected. Injuries, and occasionally serious ones, were received in boxing, but, as a form of sport, it was
probably not so dangerous as cricket. It was certainly not so dangerous as the Japanese ju-jitsu, in which fatal results could be produced with great ease, and was, on that account, never likely to take its place as

a regular sport." But primary causes and secondary effects are really If he gets a hard all that the boxer needs to grasp. blow on the jaw he goes down, and most probably " if he loses the fight mark," gets a hard blow on the
:

he

is

winded.

The

intermediary occurrences are of

profounder interest to scientists in medicine than to scientists in pugilism.

heart blow, delivered higher up, is quite recognized in boxing, and from it deaths have occurred but not in the case of perfectly sound men.
actual
;

The

Before any kind of competition or contest a boxer No doctor will pass should be medically examined.
the smallest sign of a Indeed no one should ever attempt to box at all who has any doubts on the But a hard blow over the heart will sometimes point. knock a healthy man out without injuring him. A

man

or boy

who shows

weak

or enlarged heart.

severe dig in the ribs causes a sickening sensation too, but will not stop a man, unless, of course, it is positively herculean and given with bare knuckles,
in which case a couple of ribs may be driven in. But a succession of hard blows on the ribs particularly

KNOCK-OUT BLOWS
those on the
out.
left

99
will

side near the heart

wear a man

The The

left

side ribs are the principal objective

for the right-hand

body blow.
in

boxing have been caused by cerebral haemorrhage, a condition which without a blow as the immediate cause is known as It is very rare, and is usually brought apoplexy. about far more by the fall, the striking of the head upon the floor, than by the actual blow of a gloved fist. In several cases deaths from boxing have resulted from the strain of sudden training following on deA man who is a hard drinker goes into bauchery. The bottle is kept from him training for a contest. His heart lacks the sometimes by main force. and when a sudden and severe strain is stimulant, put upon it he succumbs. And then there is the kidney blow. This is
majority of deaths
usually dealt with the right
It is

hand during

in-fighting.

extremely painful and leaves behind it a feeling In the preponderance of cases it does no of nausea. real injury. At the same time instances of a bruised or ruptured kidney have been known.
Hitting your opponent on the back does not seem, somehow, to conform to the best traditions. There are so many other places where you can hurt

him more

profitably

or, if

necessary,
is

more speedily

disable him.

The kidney blow

a comparatively

new

and up to quite recent times was In late years exclusively practised by professionals. some instructors have been teaching it to amateur But now by the rules of the National Sportpupils.
invention,

ing Club, a referee has power to disqualify a

man

ioo
for using
it.

THE COMPLETE BOXER

is

of a sport

Arbitrarily to interfere with the method But to mangle and maim it as a rule.

no possible harm can be done to boxing by disallowing referee has no difficulty in seeing the kidney blow.

when a

man

is

trying to give

it,

and he can warn

him accordingly.
knock-out is a decisive end to any battle, but If two men have been it is not always an ideal one. boxing for a reasonable time, and one has already shown himself the better, and then knocks out his

But antagonist, the matter is conclusively settled. where a knock-out occurs almost at once, in the first or second round, a genuine test of their respective
powers has not been made. The moment on the part of one man, or are not to be regarded as the final their endurance, strength and skill. petitions of three rounds it is much
to see the

carelessness of a

the other's fluke,

determination of In amateur com-

more

satisfactory

the way," or for the encounter to be curtailed by a knock-out only to the extent of a minute or so
all

men "go

If

But it is impossible to lay down the law about it. a knock-out is prohibited, it is difficult to estimate

to

what lengths the delicacy and

debility of

the

above, the'proscription sport may go. of one particular blow which has no result indissolubly linked up with the sport will do no harm but to cut out a whole class of blows, whose result
;

As suggested

is

fundamentally connected with (at least) the practical You purposes of that sport, would be disastrous. as well forbid a particular swimming stroke in might playing water polo.

KNOCK-OUT BLOWS
Besides, in order to stop knock-out

oi

blows, you

would have to prohibit all hard hitting. And then boxing would be a miserable farce. Occasionally it
does happen that a knock-out crosses the path of sporting justice; but if the men concerned are genuinely anxious for a real test, and neither are satisfied with the result of the first encounter, a

second can generally be arranged. When a pair of boxers in a competition are very unequally matched, the better man should win as
It is far better for the poorer speedily as possible. boxer to be finished off quickly with one or two prodigious blows than to be kept on his feet, and punished and hurt. Of course, if his conqueror is quite certain of him, he can play with him during the three rounds. But, being a competition, most boxers in this instance would feel it ignominious to be played with. If you are, for the sake of practice, having a spar with a man who could eat you, as the saying goes, you don't want to be knocked about. In a competition each man should do his best. Par-

through one or more other heats in the course of an evening. He cannot afford to tire himself by being kind. He should win as quickly as he can and so save himself. And besides no man can ever be quite certain. No sport is so
utterly

ticularly is has to go

this the case

with the better

man who

fortuitous

as
is

boxing.

And

than too
is

much
worse,

confidence there

only one thing which

tell

and

that

is

lack of
often

it.

You can
nasty
hit

when a man has

received a

on the jaw which has just

failed to bring

102

THE COMPLETE BOXER

to the floor.

him

His right

foot

jumps and

spas-

modically taps the ground two or three times.

The

movement
nately,
if

nervous and quite involuntary. Fortuare hit on the jaw and do that, you you
is
;

can generally disguise the fact that you are hurt and your antagonist, with his eyes on yours, will not see that tell-tale foot. And in another moment or two the immediate danger from weakness will In the same way a man who is have passed off.

knocked out completely may twitch and move his This movement also is involunlegs or one of them. and not as you are apt to think when watching tary an effort to rise. If you hit a man on the jaw at the side of the ring so that he falls half over the ropes, it is better to regard him as "down," and to stand away until the referee expressly tells you to box on. If your is done for, he will opponent generally slip to the
floor.

amusing instance of a knock-out blow on the occurred some years ago at one of the outThe play in question was lying theatres of London. one in which a boxing match takes place on the and nightly the hero had to knock his stage This antagonist throughout antagonist out of time. the run of the piece was a retired pro, a good fellow and a fine boxer. During a long tour he had

An

"mark"

managed

to teach the hero a

good

deal.

One

night,

however, the latter's place was taken by his understudy, a man who fancied himself not without a
certain

amount of reason

as a boxer.

It

was the

pro's business to fight one lively round, and in the

KNOCK-OUT BLOWS

103

middle of the next to fall dramatically rather than Now the before a tremendous swing. naturally had a grudge against him, and the first understudy round was no mere exhibition spar, and a critical
audience

hugely appreciated the difference.

The

new hero was

capacity. " I'll

stretching the bruiser to his utmost

"
I'll

have Go But the understudy, thinking that this was a good opportunity of hurting the man, pressed him more than ever. The bruiser, having no desire really to be knocked out, and feeling, justly enough, that his opponent was taking advantage of him, thought he would steady the actor by a tap in the wind. He did not intend it to be more than a tap, but the man ran on to it. His hands dropped and The there was an agonized expression on his face.
pro instantly saw that the action of the play was on the verge of being spoilt. With the presence of mind that boxers have, he caught his man as he was falling and, hugging him in his arms, gave a fine
call

to hit yer," the latter kept saying, " to hit yer. slow, can't you ?

have

" For God's sake display of clinching. he whispered to the super, who was watch, as he staggered with his man The super rose to the occasion. ropes.

Time,"

holding the towards the

In the next

round a very limp hero sparred gingerly for an opening, and his opponent fell with a loud crash as soon as he decently could.

CHAPTER X
TRAINING
"
is

By

training, the

more

ready,

and the perception more

mental faculties are also improved. The attention acute." Sir J. SINCLAIR.

no issue of

athletics has

common

sense been

IN

called

upon

to fight with prejudice so sternly as

in the matter of training.

In the early days of

to speak
of.

the prize-ring there

was no training

Barclay, the famous walker and patron of boxers, invented a system, and used it with excellent effect upon Tom Cribb for his famous battle with Molineaux, the black. This system appears to have consisted mainly in walking immense distances

Then Captain

every day at a
sixteen
stone,
his

terrific

lost

Cribb, who started at pace. over one-sixth of that weight

And in his case the reduring preparation. He was duction in bulk was beneficial enough. what is known as a beefy man and the fat was
;

sweated

and there remained upon his bones the huge muscles for which he was renowned, unencumbered by the burdening profusion of flesh. Barclay was a first-rate amateur, and was accustomed to putting on the gloves with all the best bruisers of his day. Indeed a youngster beginning his career
off him,
in the ring

regarded a successful
104

trial

with Captain

TRAINING
Barclay as the
first

105

stepping-stone to success.

He

in

from his own experience, what was needed way of training. Of course, his system has been superseded now, but it acted very well with the sturdy champions of the past. The chief difficulty in the path of perfect training is the fact that people have been absolutely unable to grasp that one man's meat is another man's poison. Just as it is absurd to expect a class of twenty boys
then,

knew

the

by precisely the same method (though things being as they are it can scarcely be bettered), so it is ridiculous to train a team or a crew upon the same lines. It is impossible to
to learn their lessons

suppose that batches of eight or

fifteen

men

can

have severally the same constitutions to be treated in the same way by rule of thumb. And the training
of the

body does not present the same

there are
still

difficulties

in this respect as the training of the

theless,

Neverplenty of people who do try

mind.
;

to train a

team

in

who

believe that training

a universal manner still those is a fixed and immovable

process, to be applied similarly to rowing and running and football and boxing. And there are still many
folk
is

believe that the principal object of training the reduction of weight. But of course each sport should have its own and

who

especial preparation, and each man must pay attention to his own peculiar organism ; and it may be taken as a definite rule that the loss of weight after genuinely

superfluous flesh has been

removed
boxing

is

thoroughly bad

and unwholesome. There is no training

for

like

boxing

itself.

106

THE COMPLETE BOXER

hard encounter with the gloves searches out weak A man places in your wind hitherto unsuspected. who is in perfect condition for football or for running long distances finds himself hopelessly "beat" at the

end of three minutes' boxing. So when training for some competition or match, do as much sparring as you can. The kind of training you are to undergo preparatory to a competition must depend not only on your physical capabilities, and disabilities, but upon
your occupation. The professional boxer gives his whole time to training. Very few amateurs canso few, indeed, that they can be left out of the
question.

In order that some sort of scheme

to help people,
if

may be laid down

good condition
for

possible, to get into

a specific encounter, it will be best to classify boxers roughly by the kind of life they ordinarily lead, and to deal separately with each group. There are boys at
school,
it,

with daily occupation, and men without undergraduates at the universities, and soldiers and

men

sailors

(who will be discussed chapters on Service Boxing).

It will,

separately

in

the

of course, be understood that many of the suggestions given in the ensuing paragraphs will overlap.

That

is

to say, exercises that are useful to

boys

are equally useful to men, sometimes in rather larger doses and, of course, the remarks about punching the
;

and skipping apply equally to any one of whatever age or occupation who is entering for a competition. Individual judgment must be used. It is imto cater for everyone, and these suggestions possible
ball

AVOIDING A STRAIGHT LEFT AND REPLYING WITH A LEFT HAND CROSS-COUNTER

(seepage 96)

TRAINING

107

on the subject of training are only intended as general hints which are commonly found useful. For boys at school very little special training
should be necessary.

The

regularity of their lives

compulsory games and the fact that boys are usually taking exercise of some sort without any set purpose is quite sufficient to keep them fit. But it is just as well to do something extra daily for the improvement of that particular variety of wind proper to At most public schools you will be unable to boxing.
give very much time to your special training, unless you are going to take part in the championships at
Aldershot,

when a

certain latitude in respect of other

But you will given by the authorities. box several rounds with your generally find time to
pastimes
is

and various sparring partners, which is the greatest concern, and to skip and use the punchingball, which respectively come next in importance.
instructor
to the instructor, you will have, of no choice. At the majority of schools he is course, an old soldier, inclined to teach boxing by numbers (as though it were a species of drill), and to resent any methods that are not his methods, or those of the particular army champion whom he most favours. But Tommy Atkins is a good man of the slap-bang, mechanical sort, and he will generally take a deal of

With regard

beating.

With regard

to

and

this applies equally to all

your other sparring partners who are going in for

;

a competition try to get as much variety of style to encounter as you possibly can never box with a man
or boy

whom you

(you

may

are likely to meet in the competition learn his tricks, but he will also learn yours,

io8

THE COMPLETE BOXER

in

any case it is better to come fresh to the real combat), and do a good deal of your practice sparring It is a with men bigger and better than yourself.

and

very good plan always to spar for a specified length of time that is to say, in proper rounds with a minute's
rest in

between each, but

to

make

the rounds rather

longer than they will be in the competition, and one or two more of them. In this way you will be pre-

pared for a greater strain than you will actually be called upon to undergo or perhaps it would be better to say that the extra exertion of actual combat will be in part at least balanced by the longer round
;

in practice.

Always bear

in

mind

that whilst

there are

in

amateur competitions only three rounds, these three must be fought at top speed. A first-rate exercise for what I have called the boxing wind is skipping, a very convenient form of exercise too, because you can skip anywhere and at any odd moment. Five minutes t a quarter of an hour's skipping before your tub in the morning is a

good way of beginning^the day. At any time when " " you are skipping you should begin easily single
at
first, gradually increasing the pace, finishing with a " short burst of the double," with both feet together.

Towards the end of your period

your condition requires very and get the greatest possible
every minute,
for, say,
little

of training,

when

improvement, try
of revolutions

number

two or three minutes.

And

repeat this at intervals between Punching the ball is quite

your bouts of sparring.

manner of

skilled tricks

a sport by itself. All can be played by the expert,

TRAINING

109

and before now they have justified themselves on the music hall stage. For the purposes of training, however, there is not the smallest need to be elaborate. To hit the ball again and again in rapid succession in
order to improve the speed of your deliveries requires a certain amount of practice. But there is really no

need

to use

more than the ordinary blows.

There are many kinds of punching balls, but the most useful one is pear-shaped, rather larger than a Rugby football. It should hang by a stout strap from the middle of a solid platform. This last must be means of an iron bracket on a securely rigged up by wall. The strap should be fastened to a strong swivel on a short chain, which should in turn pass through the middle of the platform and be prevented from
falling
If the leather itself through by a large nut. comes into contact with the sides of the hole, the conis

it through very soon. about a punching ball is noise. point It should therefore be put in a place apart, preferably the gymnasium or club-rooms which you use for When anyone^is working hard with it there sparring. is a thunderous devil's tatoo which is positively deafenThe strap from which the ball hangs should be ing. double, with a buckle, so that a tall man or a little man may adjust it to his own height. You should

stant friction

apt to wear

The worst

regard the ball as your opponent's head, and the middle of it should be on a level with your eyes. For anyone already in fairly good condition, a hard five minutes' round with the ball is generally quite
sufficient at

a time.

squaring up

to the ball as

Begin with the straight left, though it were a man, com-

no

THE COMPLETE BOXER

ing forward with the left foot, and getting away out of distance immediately after you have landed your blow.

and rights alternately in quick succession, then left and right hook-hits, standing still before the ball and sending it to and fro at right angles You must learn to catch it on the first to your body. and this, if your hitting is hard, will require rebound,
try straight lefts

Then

considerable speed. Lastly, come quite close up to the ball and practise right hand cross-counters, your elbow well raised as you hit the impact between
;

your

fist

and the

ball

taking place

when

the latter

is

just opposite your eyes.

for work with the ones made for the specially light Since, however, you need to become as purpose. accustomed as possible to the eight ounce glove with which you will ultimately do battle, the former is the more useful. It is a pity though to use new gloves,

Old gloves should be worn

or
else

ball,

as the contact of leather

the surface and wear

and leather is apt to roughen them out before their time.

should be used
little

In order to practise body blows a heavy sack but not used too much, as it is a
;

prone cannot learn

to

make you

slow.

At

all

events you

to be quick with it. There is no rebound, and all you can do, having hit it left or right, is to wait for the sack to come back to its

With quick alternate half-arm can come close and continue hitting blows, you when the sack is out of the vertical. When doing
vertical

position.

this a certain

amount of
strike,

skill

is

sack in front of you.

The weight
and
it

required to keep the of it is upon your

to

glove as you

is

liable

swing away

TRAINING

1 1 1

from your direct hit. The sack should be stuffed tightly with sawdust (not sand, which is sometimes used, and which is liable to make you sprain your wrist), and should hang from an iron bracket or a No platform is required for it. beam. It is a cardinal mistake ever to tire yourself out

by skipping, or punching a ball, or sparring. You should go to bed at night thoroughly and wholesomely tired, and the difference between that and being over tired, though hard to define, is within
the experience of every one. With regard to the simpler forms
of physical exercise which are usually taken indoors, but which in suitable weather would be much more useful in

the open air, that most required is for the purpose of developing the muscles of the stomach. There
are two
this there are probably but these will suffice. many more, The first is to stand up straight and then with

good ways of doing

arms upraised above your head to bend slowly, very slowly forward until you touch your toes with the
irksome at first, especially are unaccustomed to that kind of exercise, but the difficulty soon wears off, and it is worth the trouble. For the other you should lie flat on the floor or on a mattress, and raise first one leg and then the other and after a turn of that, both together until The knees they are at right angles to your body. must not be bent, and your head and shoulders should
It is tips of your fingers. in the case of grown men

who

in

remain rigidly upon the floor. And the chief point both these exercises is that they should be under-

H2

THE COMPLETE BOXER

taken as slowly as possible. After you have lifted up your legs ten or a dozen times, keep them straight upon the floor the heels always touching the ground and bend your body upwards, with your head To do this straight and your arms at your side. and very slowly will be found hard work, perfectly but it is quite the best way of developing the abdominal muscles, which play a most important
part in boxing. certain amount of dumb-bell exercise
is usually the smaller boys at a public compulsory amongst school ; and for them, provided the dumb-bells are not too heavy, it is necessary. But for boxing it

should be remembered that the muscles of the arms are of secondary importance. Your arms should be

hard and wiry, but big muscles are not required. Fitzsimmons, probably the most famous, and in his day quite the best boxer alive, was never remarkable for any show of muscle save on his back and
shoulders.

Belcher, the finest of all And if you use dumbthe old time prize-fighters. bells much, you are liable to develop enormous

Nor was Jem

showy biceps which

will

probably be out of proportion

to the rest of your muscular system. liable to become muscle-bound that

;

And you
is

are

to say,

so

over developed that each muscle gets in the way of its neighbour. The result of which is that you are slow. muscles in the arms are not really of Huge much use to anybody save professional weight-lifters.
training for boxing, after the age of seventeen or so, exercises with dumb-bells are
Certainly,

when

not advisable.

On

the other hand,

the ordinary

TRAINING
movements

113

usually gone through with dumb-bells are most useful without them, if the fists are tightly

closed

and the muscles exerted.

question
to say,
it

The
That
is

yourself.

extremely important. extremely important not to diet Ordinary food that you are accustomed to,
is

of

diet

is

eaten with the appetite that exercise and health give, is always the best. Of course, obviously stodgy

and unnecessary sweet things should be But it is much better avoided, and new bread. never to play tricks with your food. A sudden
things

change to a Spartan system of diet will probably put you out of sorts and do far more harm than
good.

For boys,
from

then, skipping
itself.

and punching the

begin
their

ball

are the only really necessary aids to training apart

boxing

If

they

special

preparation three weeks before the event, that will

be amply

sufficient.

Those whose day is fully occupied, especially when that occupation is entirely indoors, are severely But even these, if they take time handicapped. In about it, can get into fine and hard condition. be real training, and this case the training must should begin a couple of months or at least six And it is not as weeks before the competition. though one combat of three rounds is to be expected there may be four or five upon the same day, in
a competition where, like the amateur championships, the entries are numerous.
First of
8
all

follows as a matter of course that

comes the question of smoking. It smoking is bad

H4
for

THE COMPLETE BOXER

your wind, particularly
if

you

inhale.

So smoking
if

must be cut down.

At the same

time,

you are

a heavy smoker, to leave off abruptly is to court disaster. Of course people say that you should never allow a habit to take such a hold upon you that you cannot drop it at a moment's notice perhaps you should not. But you do. And the strength of mind required in order to stop smoking suddenly and entirely is considerably less than that required
:

in order to leave

it

the better way.

You

by little you can leave off and your wind will benefit smoking altogether, Men have been known professional accordingly. champions amongst them to smoke right up to the day of battle and on that day itself in the strictest moderation, of course one pipe in the morning, one in the evening. The individual must judge for himself.
little
:

much, your nerves So bereavement.

off gradually. But the latter is don't feel the deprivation so are by degrees schooled to their

As a general
be stopped.

rule,

it is

safest to say that

smoking should
the greater part

And where men spend

it

of their lives indoors

should certainly be stopped.

is

For
early,

these, too,
in
all

and, exercise before

absolutely necessary to rise weathers, to get fresh air and As in everything else, breakfast.
it

begin gradually even if you have only a quarter of Increase this little by little an hour in the open air. not more, as otherwise you will start the to an hour And if you have an hour's exercise before tired. day
:

you should eat a little first. A cup of tea and a biscuit is suitable and sufficient; but without that you will be tired and depressed and the hateful
breakfast,
;

TRAINING
view of

1 1

men and

things

so

common

a cause of

distress to yourself

have breakfasted

and those about you before you will become accentuated.

Begin your early morning exercise by a short, Later on, when sharp walk in your ordinary clothes. you are giving more time to it, put on flannel trousers and a sweater under your jacket and go for a longer walk once in every two hundred yards or so On coming taking a very hard sprint of fifty yards. in again, do the floor exercises already explained before having your bath and changing. In order to get variety of practice in its most convenient and accessible form, you should belong to a club and, if possible, go to it for sparring, and punching the ball (if you have not got one at home) at least twice a week. On the other nights keep
;
;

out of doors as
;

much

as possible.

Do

not go for

long runs but, as in the morning, sprint for a short distance now and again. But make walking your

you can, walk where there up a steep hill without knees will discover any weak points in bending your your wind remarkably soon, and if you persist in it
principal exercise, and,
if

are

hills.

fast

walk

will eradicate

them.
to reducing weight,

When

it

comes

you have to

be very careful indeed. for amateur boxing are

The

five

standard weights

Bantam
Feather

not exceeding eight stone four pounds. not exceeding nine stone.

Light not exceeding ten stone. Middle not exceeding eleven stone four pounds.

Heavy

any weight.

n6
The
rule

THE COMPLETE BOXER

is

any one entering for a competition should weigh on the day thereof in their fighting kit, It very often happens that a but without gloves. man is a few pounds over one of these weights. He and this is especially will be too light for the heavier obvious where a man of eleven stone eight pounds has to box in the heavy-weights with a man of fifteen It seems a great pity that he should not reduce stone. his weight and go in for the middles. It entirely depends on the individual. If he is fleshily built,
that
;

with
or a

much
good

superfluous flesh, the loss of four pounds deal more will not only fail to hurt him,

improve his condition. But where a man, already in fine and hard training, lean and spare, tries to get his weight down he When he tries to get rid is bound to lose strength. of several pounds in a great hurry he may injure his
will materially

but

health for

life.

It is certainly

very hard lines upon

him
for

if

he

is

prevented, by

a competition on which which he may have already trained for weeks

the disappointment As a rule, it is
is

his weight, from going in he set his heart, and for

;

but

better faced.

much

wiser to build yourself up,

so to say, than to pull yourself down.

is

man who

already tough and hard has only to keep so, just improving his wind and his skill as best he may. But if he is above the weight to which he comes nearest, and at which he feels that he should fight,
it

is

far

better

rather

than miss the competition

altogether to take his chance with the bigger man than to run the grave risk of weakening his heart by
semi-starvation and strain.

TRAINING
The

117

case of those whose day is their own is naturally simplified, and for them the benefits of an open But with nothing else air life should be insisted on.

very particular to occupy their time, these are somewhich is the times prone to overdo their training The best way next worse thing to training too little. out of the difficulty is to find some pursuit which helps training in a way and yet has nothing actually
:

to remind

you of

it.

If

you

ride

much, when training

ride only rather less and give the rest of the time to At the the more direct processes of preparation.

same' time the early walk and the late one are for though you will not excellent habits to adopt need the fresh air so greatly as the man who has been
;

working all day indoors, the tonic effect of the former and the soporific effect of the latter are most
valuable.

Naturally it is always better to train in the country than in the town and when you ordinarily live in the smoke, it will be a good plan, when
;

possible, to migrate to the cleaner

atmosphere

for this

At the same time it is difficult to special occasion. find many people to box with or indeed any at all
-in

the heart of the country

it

will

be impossible

to take a retinue of bruisers with you, and you will be forced to content yourself with some one instructor

whose services you may have hired for the occasion. So it is better, if you live in London, to do your training within easy reach, so that you can arrange for various sparring partners to come to you, and so that you may yourself go in periodically to box at some club. But such an elaborate business will not

n8
suit
:

THE COMPLETE BOXER

a great number of men who are entering for a competition and they will probably take their chance wherever they may happen to be, and probably spar And the man, prowith the same man every day. vided he is a thoroughly capable one, will teach you as much as the average amateur requires to know.

box with several men is much better. most exhilarating and beneficial treatment for a boxer about to go in for a competition is some form of massage. And it is certainly a good way of winding up an afternoon's exercise.
But
to

"Professor" Ned Donnelly (an old bare-knuckle fighter who earned some renown in the 'sixties), in his book on the Art of'Boxing\ recommends a mixture to be rubbed on your hands, arms, face and chest This consists of a pint of whisky, three times a day. a pint of vinegar, some horse-radish, and some rock with about five lemons squeezed in. These salt, ingredients should be put into a pot and boiled, and when cold decanted into a bottle, which should last for a considerable time. Donnelly's prescription was
probably intended to toughen the skin, rather than to make you supple and to refresh you. Some trainers use a mixture of camphor and methylated spirits,

some are contented with Elliman. But it is the rubbing which matters more than the stuff rubbed in. And you should be rubbed all over, back and front. After sparring and punching the ball and skipping
all

the afternoon,

let

us say, you should have a tepid

in

shower-bath

which would be provided

or club

any well

appointed gymnasium one or at least a sponge down.

;

followed by a cold

And

then, prefer-

TRAINING
ably in a room where there
justifies
is

119
a
fire, if

the weather

it (and boxing competitions are usually in the winter or early spring), you should lie on a large table

to be massaged.
it

The

effect is

wonderfully stimulating,

removes

all stiffness

and leaves you almost as fresh

the day. It is homely advice but remember that it is easy to catch cold after you have been boxing and that
;

as

when you began

and even win a comthough petition with a cold upon you, it will be twice as hard A cold drains your strength in an extrawork.
it

is

possible to fight

ordinarily short space of time. The choice of an instructor should not be difficult.

At Oxford and Cambridge,

to

besides the
are

men

attached
private

the

respective

clubs,

there

several

whose rival claims must be decided upon At the Belsize Boxing Club in London, there are several first-rate men and in any big town
practitioners, their merits.
;

in the north, the

is

not

much

Midlands, or in London itself, there difficulty in finding a good professional

with some idea of imparting his knowledge to you. Rudimentary boxing is not a particularly difficult thing
to teach
;

but, like

every other sport,

it

requires con-

siderable patience. And you must find a man who to take trouble with you. Many people, willing when training, do not join a club but hire the services
is

of a private instructor. An important thing to remember is that he should be of about the same size

and weight as
tried

his pupil.

And

he should be a well-

man whom you

are perfectly certain

knows more

about boxing than you do. But even if you have the luxury of a coach to yourself, it is a good thing to

120

THE COMPLETE BOXER

belong to some club, if only for the chance of sparring with the other members.
Training at the universities is a much easier matter than it is anywhere else, because the whole

atmosphere is one of athletic preparation. Somebody is always training for something. You need never feel At the Boxing solitary in your efforts of abnegation. Club rooms there are the best of instructors, and, of course, a large choice of people to spar with, as well
as
all

the accessories you

may

require.

The

early

morning walk need never be lonely, though the majority of undergraduates in training for other sports than boxing prefer to run. There is no occasion to take any violent exercise until the afternoon. The morning can be passed in the ordinary succession of
lectures,

or if work is of negligible reading Luncheon importance in a not too zealous walk. should be a very light meal, followed by at least half
or in
;

an hour of

idleness.

three hours' really

This should be succeeded by hard work with skipping rope,

punching ball and gloves principally gloves. And the evening walk before going to bed as near ten, one way or the other as possible completes the
day.

About a
exercise

fortnight

before the

competition,

the

be increased by three rounds of and an hour's walk in the middle of the sparring But two or three days before the event morning. You will be should leave off boxing altogether. you
should
better for this rest, you will petition the fresher for it.

come

comThe skipping and the

to the actual

punching of the

ball

and the sack may be proportion-

IN-FIGHTING: BOTH BOXERS ARE CARRYING THEIR CHINS TOO HIGH,

MUTUALLY EXPOSING THEM

(seepage 91)

TRAINING
;

121

but if you are in really good condition ately increased the last three days should be comparatively devoid of very violent work. Walking is really quite sufficient.

Competitions always at Oxford and Cambridge, and elsewhere generally, except when the entries are very numerous, as in the amateur championships are in
the evening afternoon, it
:

is

so during the preceding morning and better to take an almost complete rest

walking a little perhaps, but lying down and reading a good deal. The afternoon before a competition, especially if
it

is

your

first,

will

prove rather trying.

There are

people with nerves so completely steady, who are so utterly insensible and regardless of the trial awaiting

them, that they can be genuinely interested in some book or discussion which is remote from boxing. So much the better for them. Men have been known

even to go to bed and to sleep throughout the afternoon and that is better still. But the average man is horribly nervous, and cannot for the life of him think or talk about anything save the competition to come. To advise men like this not to think about it (as some people invariably " do) will only be a cause of irritation to say never mind, it'll all be over soon," will have about as much beneficent effect as the same remark addressed to a man about to be hanged. It is much better to face
; ;

the situation, and, if you are unable to keep your mind away from the competition, to talk about it with

people who know the subject and are likely to help you not those who make depressing comments as in
;

the following story

122

THE COMPLETE BOXER

The Oxford
representatives

had gone over

to

Cambridge

for the Inter-' Varsity competitions,

which
;

Cambridge on alternate years and the redoubtable Mr. Hopley was the light-blue In the train, by way of cheering his heavy-weight. prospective opponent, one of the Oxford men informed him what was literally true that the entire space of time Hopley had spent in the ring in all competitions for which he had ever entered would go inside a quarter of an hour as he had generally succeeded
;

are held at Oxford and

knocking out his man in the first minute. Blunders of this kind are generally emphasized and made worse
in

by the^ bungler suddenly becoming aware of what he has said, and trying to improve on it by assuring his
victim
that

of course
time.

things

will

take a

different

course this

Incidentally

they did

not

for

Hopley added forty-three seconds only to his experience in boxing competitions. About half-past three o'clock on the afternoon of the encounter you should have a good rub down or if you have to travel far to the place of meeting, have
Mr.
;

it

as long before the competition as you conveniently Also, when you have more than one fight on the same night, it is a most excellent plan to make your
can.
:

second or trainer rub you down between them the same method being followed as in training. For this reason an instructor should always have a rudimentary knowledge of massage.
this tiresome day, too, the question of food is important not so much as to what you will eat as
;

On

when you

will eat

it.

Of

course

it

on the hour

at

which you are expected

entirely to box.

depends

When

TRAINING

123

the competition begins at eight o'clock in the evening, which is a usual time, you should have a very light

lunch at about one, and a good meal at

steak,
toast,

five.

Beef-

and stewed
;

fruit

at

this

hour do not
them, para glass

sound very attractive

ticularly the steak. of claret for choice.

but you require

You should drink little Some people drink tea.

be avoided.

Water,
is

either plain or aerated, should

The

question of drink during training

much

discussed.

Donnelly, already quoted, recommends red wine mixed with water, with the mid-day meal. Without the least desire to uphold teetotalism, it may

be said that this is generally unnecessary. People must be guided by what they find individually suitable. One glass of red wine at the last meal before boxing It should always may, however, be really valuable. be remembered that large quantities of liquid are very bad for the wind, and that water adds in the most

amazing way

If you are at all near to your weight. the limit of the weight at which you mean to box a tumbler of water drunk just before weighing will turn

the scale on the

It is

wrong

side.

a great temptation to a nervous boxer to walk about aimlessly and incessantly on the day of In the It should not be done. the competition.

evening you

will require all the strength

and this far more

restless patrolling of the streets is apt to tiring than you can realize at the time.

you have, be

CHAPTER

XI

COMPETITIONS
"The
fight,

Wherein

I'll

the fight's the thing, catch the conscience of the King."

spirit

of competition

is

inherent in

human

THE
to test
it
;

nature.

To

almost every man, as soon as he

has learned some new power, comes the desire to see if he can do something better than
else.
it

someone
it

This
is

spirit is

by no means universal

in sport, but
is

In boxing extremely widespread. than in gregarious pastimes, probably because you literally fall or stand alone and people
less so
;

fear terribly lest they should in public.

make fools

of themselves

Sooner or amateur boxers

their
fellows.

later,

feel the

however, a large number of wish to pit themselves against

less for

"pot-hunting" than because they realize that outside a proper competition with a referee and judges and seconds, with their sponges and towels, and a timekeeper with a
in fact, with all the ceremonial which draws the distinction between practice and the real

Often

this is

stop-watch
thing,
is

they realize that without these things the test not a genuine one that neither they themselves nor their opponents will be strung up to the highest
;

pitch of eagerness

and

enterprise.
124

COMPETITIONS

125

So quaking in your canvas shoes, and wishing you had not been so foolhardy, listening with sickly appreciation to the cheers of your friends to whom you are certain you will prove a delusion and a snare, you
will clamber up on to the stage and through the ropes and remarking for the first time in your life very likely
;

how

misty a sea of faces looks in

artificial light,

how

and how helpless your position before them all and in the glare of light you will go to your corner and sit down. Attending you will be your second only one is allowed by the rules of the Amateur Boxing AssociaThere tion, though occasionally this rule is broken. is no reason it should be. One man, if he is as why energetic as he ought to be, can do everything that you need. It may be said in passing that one of the most ridiculous features of the modern professional
aloof from you,
:

contest
their

the bevy of unnecessary seconds who follow Your second will principal into the ring.
is

probably be the instructor who has trained you at least he ought to be for he will then know where are likely to fail and where to succeed, what your you best blows are, and when you should use them.
:

Immediately you sit down in your corner he will Professional seconds begin to flap a towel before you. do. for it is one of those Their reason invariably unfathomable mysteries that will never be solved. Perhaps it is some kind of etiquette it is impossible to say. And occasionally you may find a boxer who likes it. But why, having just left a warm dressingand having come into a large, cold hall in next room, to no clothes when you are not in the least out of
;

126
breath,

THE COMPLETE BOXER

why you
is

should at that
obscure.

be fanned

little

moment require to Many men find that

this preliminary flapping makes them cold and unSo if you have experienced this before, comfortable.

your second previously not to do it. The few moments between sitting down in your corner and the call of time are more profitably occupied by the second And these in words of advice and encouragement. if it is your first competition however trite, are apt to be comforting. Then you and your antagonist are asked if you are ready the timekeeper orders the seconds out of " " the ring, and You meet your man time is called. in the middle of the ring, shake hands and fall to. And then all is well. Purposely an attempt has been made in the last part of the foregoing chapter
tell
;

and

at the beginning of this to

draw the

least desir-

able emotions experienced by the novice entering for his first pitched battle. There are plenty of men who

are never nervous at

all,

are not afraid of

making

exhibitions of themselves, and who are really spoiling To these the call of time brings them to for a fight.

the threshold of their desire

to those

others,

less

happy

in anticipation,

it

And
no

then,

when

the

first

means the end of suspense. blow is struck, and there is

possibility of drawing back, the spirit of fighting enters into you, and you glory in your utmost physical

endeavour.
the outset there are two points to remember. your man is a stranger to you so far as boxing goes you must learn something of his capabilities.
If

At

Therefore reserve your strength just at

first,

go slowly

COMPETITIONS
and watch.

127

At

the

same

time, bear in

mind

that

you

are an equally abstruse problem to him, so make up your mind to enforce his respect at the very beginning, and so be first. Keep to the straight left and forget
for a

or two that you can hit with your right hand at all. Some men believe in surprising their opponents at the beginning of an encounter by doing

moment

something startling and original. That is like leading a double-blank at the beginning of a game of Matador. It may succeed, but it most probably won't. You astonish your adversary, but he will know the may trick later on whatever it may be and will be for it so you won't have it to fall back on. prepared The most original course you can pursue in boxing is to be absolutely ordinary in a quite perfect manner. And it is the most difficult course.
:

you are a beginner, it is thus better not to try and take advantage of some of the more advanced tactics of the ring, and especially in the' first round.
If

Keep hard
you do
to see,
hit
if
:

at work, hitting with all your might when but watching carefully for an opening and

blow your opponent is most keen on This will probably be off. his favourite blow, the one with which he hopes to finish you off. If, like yourself, he is a beginner, he will be inclined to show his hand at once. He will be too impatient, very likely, to withhold it till the So wait and right and most appropriate moment. observe what kind of blow he most fancies and take He will be so eager to bring it off advantage of it. that he will never think you have been watching him. So when, for the fourth or fifth time, he tries that

possible, what trying to bring

128

THE COMPLETE BOXER

desperate right swing, or ferocious left-hand upper-cut, or something equally daring and blundering, wait for
it,

stop
:

it,

and

retaliate

with your

own

particular

favourite, delivered at your leisure and with all your weight and it is to be hoped that your favourite blow

be something straight from the shoulder. For it can never be repeated too often that straight blows,
will

particularly straight left blows, are incomparably better than any others.

governing the public school championships tells you that any boy seen to be working for a knock-out will be warned, and if he
rules
persists, disqualified.

One

of the

The

desired effect of the rule

being that competitors are to on points. There is no surer

do

their best to

win

and insinuating your way referee and judges than by leading

with the straight
equal, the
left.

way of gaining points into the favour of the

off continually

Moreover, other things being does the most leading off wins. So having made up your mind as well as you can as to your antagonist's capabilities, go for him and keep on going for him. Your training will here

man who

begin to

tell.

you

will

be

really fine condition, able to maintain the effort and fight at

If

you are

in

If you are top speed throughout the three rounds. in poor condition you will be pumped and well nigh

dead beat at the end of the first round. But whatever has happened (short of a knock down), go leisurely to your corner at the call of time and sit down in the chair (which your second, with the amazing dexterity of which seconds have the secret, will have whipped over or under the ropes

COMPETITIONS
and be holding
in

129
you).

position
is

for

The

first

attention to be paid of cold water over

careful wiping

the squeezing of a spongeful your head and face, and the

:

away of any blood

for

even

if

you

do not bleed
ear,
lips

you
is

easily at the nose, or have not torn an will generally find that the skin of your

through, merely by being hammered closed teeth. against your And a small point to be remembered here is that
cut

you should bring your own sponge.

Apart from

anything else, professional seconds consider as an indispensable part of their ministrations the thrusting of a corner of the sponge into your mouth and the

washing of your tongue. He will then give your arms and legs a brisk rub over with his hands, and devote the remainder of the sixty seconds' rest to

You fanning you with a towel vigorously flapped. will need that then, and appreciate it to the full. Even if you are not at all winded, you will be hot. And it is the most invigorating part of the proceedso much so that out of the minute at his ings
:

disposal, the second should give at least thirty seconds to fanning. For your part, you should lie back, sitting on the edge of the chair with your legs stretched out before you your shoulders against
;

the back of the chair or the post in the corner and your head well thrown back. You should hold the

converging ropes on either side of you with your gloved hands. Before entering the ring in the first instance, make a special point of seeing that your shoes or
boots are well fastened, and that the sash round
9

130

THE COMPLETE BOXER

Much valuable your waist cannot come undone. is sometimes wasted between the rounds because time your second has to tie you up in one way or the other and the same applies to laced gloves, which occasionally become loose in the middle of a round.
;

In that

case
until

the

referee

will

order

you

to

stop

your second has tied them up again. boxing But any interruption is unsatisfactory, and it is always possible that you or your antagonist will thereby gain an advantage not exactly unfair, but completely outside the ordinary give and take of the
encounter.
shoes, either because they do not fit or because, being awkward with your feet, properly you have kicked one against the other, sometimes

Canvas

come
to

half off your foot,

soft

and you

find yourself trying

canvas and hard india-rubber In such an emergency doubled up under your heel. should immediately get away out of distance you and kick the shoe off altogether. That uncomfortable condition will not be so dangerous to your chances

box with the

as

the other.
all

you are at

be preferred.

For this reason, and particularly weak about the ankles, boots are The best boxing boots are made
with india rubber soles
is
;

if

to

of

soft black leather

and once

put on and properly laced there from them.

nothing to fear

At
calls

"

the end of the minute's rest, the timekeeper Seconds out of the ring," before "Time." In

practice (save in the amateur championships where the letter of the rule is generally strictly obeyed)

you

will find that

seconds never do leave the ring

COMPETITIONS
when they
are told
to.

131

They

continue to flap their

towels until the call of time,

as the seconds go on. as you spring from your chair, you are liable to become mixed up with the second and flurried before
If the man must ever you get to your opponent. continue to fan you, let him do it from without the

edging away from you This is a mistake. Because,

ropes.

Another of the minor delinquencies of seconds

is

to give advice during the progress of the round.

is
;

This
ation

against the rule, which

it

is

the

first

consider-

and

is

also useless.

You

are far too

much
you you

occupied to listen when your second is urging " underneath." Or if to use your right or to go

are not, and you do pay attention to him, you cannot pay it in full to the man who at the moment is much

more important
sees
that

your adversary.
are
to

The

latter,

if

he

you
take

naturally

advantage

your second, listening of the fact. For

will

this

matter and for others more urgent, a strong referee In an is required one who means to be obeyed.
;

amateur competition the

last thing wanted is any small fuss or petty disturbance, such as would be caused by a second being ordered from the room

and therefore referees are loath to exercise their full powers in this respect. But a really good referee will always be obeyed even when the miscreant in question knows that he will not enforce his authority
with penalties. As a matter of fact you are generally much too busy even to be aware that your second is coaching you during the progress of the round.
If

you do hear him, or see him signalling

to

you

132

THE COMPLETE BOXER

it

which he often does, manner.

will

only be in a half-conscious
his

When

man

is

knocked down and

second

gives him the smallest help to rise, or touches him In this case it may even, he will be disqualified. be of very real assistance for a second to shout at
to get up, or to beat with his hand upon the boards to remind you where you are. And though some referees pass this over rather often, chiefly because they have a more urgent matter to attend

you

to

that

is

to say,
it is

the

man who

is

down and

his

antagonist

Indeed
part

it

is

not the less a trick to be forbidden. because this action on a second's

is genuinely useful that it should not be allowed. In boxing you have to overcome an opponent as Besides if you are best you may by yourself.

properly knocked out nothing on earth will make you rise and if you are merely dazed, the strength
;

of your

own

determination ought to be

sufficient.

Between the rounds, however, when he is chafing your arms and sponging you, a second's advice may If he really understands his be most valuable. business he will know how you stand with regard to
you are hopelessly beaten quite hopeless you will know he will know if you have so far won easily yourself a thing about which you are unlikely to feel sanguine and he will know most important of all when you are on the border line, when you and
points.
will
if

He

know
is

and

if

the beating
:

your opponent are equal. And that is a condition which you will probably misinterpret for one of the two extremes most likely the pessimistic one. And
:

COMPETITIONS

133

the time for your second to give you his views on the subject is during the interval between the second and last round. You will then be able to make your

supreme
he

effort.
first case,

In the
will tell

when you
it
;

are obviously beaten,

you recommend you

probably do your utmost to knock your In the second case, when you are adversary out. well ahead on points, he will tell you to go steadily, to lead with your left and to take no risks, lest you should spoil your excellent chances. And in the last case, which is the most critical when you are about equal, he will urge you to lead and to keep on leading with all your might, never to rest or to stop If he is a cunning old hand, attacking for an instant. and sees that you have plenty of strength left, he will tell you that you are behind on the first two rounds, and that if you want to win you must fight like a demon. Many an over-confident, many a disto

to stick to

and he

will

couraged boxer, has won his battle in this way. To go back to knock-down blows, there are several important points to be remembered. In glove fights for a money prize, ten seconds' grace are If the man cannot rise in that time he is allowed. If during the time he is down beaten. and this his applies equally of course to amateur boxing
.

opponent

hits him, the latter

is

is

disqualified.

reckoned to be ''down," not only when he is sprawling on the floor, but even when his two feet are on the ground, and, at the same time, any other part of him. This rule is to guard a man who is He gets up on to his feet and keeps his rising.

A man

134

THE COMPLETE BOXER

hands on the floor in order to push himself up. So long as his hands or one of them are on the ground he is down. For this reason, when you are knocked down, the best way to rise is in that gradual manner. Get your feet well planted and make an arch of your body, bringing your hands nearer to your feet by
degrees along the floor, until you are able to rise. Make a backing movement away from your opponent as you do so, and take this opportunity of dusting

your gloves against your body as described

vious chapter. Now the rule of the

in

a pre-

Amateur Boxing Association

dealing with this question makes no provision for the ten seconds' grace. It simply gives it that when a

man
and

is

down,

shall not

opponent shall begin to box again

his

retire out of distance

until told to

do so by

the referee.

And

the referee

is

round,
is

if

in his opinion

man

empowered to stop a is outclassed or unfit

to continue,

and that man shall lose the bout. There no word about a knock-out. The matter rests In practice again, in comentirely with the referee. petitions held by many amateur clubs certainly at the universities the formal ten seconds are counted (not usually aloud), and if a man rises before the count of ten, he is unless obviously dead beat
allowed to continue boxing. Of course, the referee uses his discretion, and even without a man actually

going down sometimes stops the encounter, if he thinks one of the competitors has had enough. But it happens occasionally that two men will go on knocking each other down alternately all through a round and yet no particular damage is done. Or one

COMPETITIONS

135

suffer half a dozen knock-down blows and have plenty of strength left and the referee will yet refrain from stepping in because he sees that no harm has been done and this man may yet turn the tables on his antagonist and win. Rather a delicate point comes to be considered here. If a man goes down without a blow, the If he is knocked down, referee can disqualify him. we will assume judging by practice and not by the letter of the amateur rule that he has ten seconds in which to recover and rise. Sometimes because of a hard blow, which has just failed to knock him out completely, a man will require every second of the ten. Sometimes he can rise in five sometimes he have been upset because he was badly balanced may and can get up immediately. For the purpose of
:

man may

argument we are saying that ten seconds are allowed what advantage can be taken of them ? It is a matter which must rest with the individual. A
boxer's
It

ideals

in sport

are entirely his

can only be said here that

own affair. when a man is heavily

knocked down and struggles to rise at once, fails, struggles again and succeeds, and goes for his man once more with all his diminished power, the sight is an admirable one. The action may be quixotic, but it's none the worse And it shows the sport for that. " real spirit of amateur boxing amateur" the word
being read
a story
is

in its real sense.

Illustrating the question of the ten seconds' count, is told of an Irishman in America, which (it

to

be hoped)

will

The Irishman was keeping

be unfamiliar to some readers. time at what we must

136

THE COMPLETE BOXER

suppose was a very rough and ready contest between one of his own countrymen and a black. In the course of the battle the former was knocked down " One " cried the very severely knocked down. " One did ye hear me, timekeeper, watch in hand Pat ? Two Git up ye fool there's only ten seconds
!

and

ye'll

be beat.

mother.

nigger, too Git up, man.

!

And
call

What's it Four Think o' the old counthry, Pat. Five! I'll be countin' ye out directla." so on, conversationally and slowly, until at the
!

think of your old she'd be saying to ye, beat by a

!

Three

Pat,

of eight, Pat staggered to his feet. In the next round, by a mighty effort, Pat succeeded in knocking down the nigger. Desperately fearing lest he should

revive in time, the

"

man

with the watch set off at top

four,

speed.

You're

One, two, three, out, ye black baste."

or
first
is

five

and
its

five's ten.

Whether

not this story owes

historic

origin
latter

to

another of the

combat between Cribb

said.

and Molineaux

not to be

The

is

undoubtedly true, and scarcely redounds to the credit In the of those concerned with one side of it. Cribb went down, utterly twenty-third round beaten. Molineaux, an enormously powerful negro, smashing blows. quite exhausted him with his There was no chance of his coming up to time for the next round for it must be remembered that only half a minute's rest was allowed between the rounds of a prize fight. Seeing that his man's case was hopeless, Cribb's second went across the ring to Molineaux's corner and charged him with holding bullets in his hands which, by the way, would have
;

A LEFT HOOK AT THE JAW: THE BLOW BEING STRUCK IMMEDIATELY AFTER GUARDING A STRAIGHT LEFT
(seepage 79)

COMPETITIONS

137

done much more harm than good to the striker. The black had done nothing of the sort, and Cribb's second knew it but the altercation gained a little extra grace for Cribb, and he was able to come up
;

to

the

scratch

for

the next

round,

subsequently

winning the fight. To resume the discussion of amateur competitions, it sometimes happens that a man has the (comparative) good fortune to be knocked down just a moment before time is called at the end of a round. Immediately he hears the timekeeper's voice, the second may jump into the ring and raise his
principal,

carrying him

to

his

corner.

It

is

here

that a really experienced second is needed. or other stimulants between rounds are

Brandy
scarcely

ever to be recommended, and most certainly not for a man who has just suffered a blow on the

The best means of restoration in all cases jaw. is the sponge of cold water sluiced liberally over the head and held to the back of the neck. Old
time professionals had an amiable habit of biting their principals' ears. There is no doubt that the sharp pain thus inflicted might revive a man, but be said that he would welcome it. it is hardly to

Unless the blow which brought him down was an exceptionally severe one, the competitor should be quite sufficiently recovered by the end of the interval to continue boxing. If he was knocked down by a fairly light blow, or one which hit him high on the jaw, he ought to be able to start the next round
quite fresh

When

and vigorous. you knock your opponent down, immedi-

138
ately

THE COMPLETE BOXER

back away from him to the farthest corner
without waiting for the referee to
tell

of the ring

you to do so
his
feet

and remain there

until

he

is

well on

again.

The

referee

will

then,

unless

he

thinks your antagonist cannot stand any more, tell you to box on. This of all others is the moment

when you need a cool head. You have knocked your man down with a blow on the jaw, let us say,
and he
within
often
is.

is

still

dazed and

"

groggy."

Victory
it

is

Certainly your grasp, you very But you should take nothing for granted, nor relax your vigilance for a moment. Men who to be hopelessly beaten have, before now, appeared concentrated their whole dying effort into one tremendous hit at a careless boxer, and have So keep your guard rigid and attack thereby won.
steadily.

think.

a competitor who has just floored his man go for him in a perfect frenzy of excitement, eager to snatch laurels whilst he may.
will often

You

see

swing wildly and heedlessly, and unless his opponent is very far gone indeed quite vainly. As already described, a swing is an easy blow to stop and a man who has just risen from the floor will be on the look-out for it. No. It is even better to
will

He

allow your man to recover somewhat, whilst you wait for a perfectly secure opening, than to lose your head at this critical moment. Another reason
for stepping right fairness to him

away from a fallen foe apart from is that some boxers, even ex-

perienced ones, are so excitable that they completely forget all rules, lose themselves entirely and hit

COMPETITIONS
their

139
It
is

opponent when he

is

down.

not the

least a question of unfairness or of unsporting conduct. Judged by the least considerable motive, no

boxer would do it if he gave himself time to think because he must be aware of the immediate disis sheer which would ensue. It qualification
:

excitement.

Johnny Summers, quite one

light-weights

of the

most

brilliant

of the day, than whom a fairer and more sportsmanlike boxer never put on a glove, used at one time to lose his head in this manner.

would forget everything. He never so much the referee telling him to get away, but would pounce on the man who had dropped on his knees and was clinging to the ropes and hit him there. It is astonishing that so accomplished and experienced a boxer should do this, and the instance serves to show how important it is for every one to
as heard
learn the necessity of a cool head.

He

has risen, and the referee has told you to box on, a good method of attack is, as usual, to lead with the to get away left at his face as hard as you can feint with the right, and send a left hook to again,
after

When

knocking a

man down and he

the

side

of

your

opponent's jaw.

But

whatever

do, the great thing is to do it deliberately. Knocks-out sometimes give a most unsatisfactory In the case described termination to an encounter. above, where a man is knocked down in the last seconds of a round, and where, but for the call of time, he would have been knocked out, what is to happen if the round in question is the last ? The

you

140

THE COMPLETE BOXER

has been knocked

man who
when

down may have

Is

hitherto
still,

points. his antagonist has had the last laugh? If a question to be decided by the referee.

been winning well on

he the winner

It is

he

is

hand or
about

palpably knocked out, lies still, and is foot, the referee will give his decision to If he is just the man who knocked him down.
to
rise

unable to stir

as

time
its

is

called,

the

fight

would
extra

probably round might be ordered.

stand

on

own

merits,

or an

Amateur competitions are governed by two judges and a referee. The judges sit on two sides of the ring and the referee on the third side, with the time-

By this distribution practically keeper next to him. blow that is struck comes under one official's every At the end of a combat, provided there has eye. been no knock-out, the master of ceremonies goes to each of the judges in turn, who has written down the name of the competitor he considers the winner. If the judges agree, the M.C. declares the name. If they disagree, he goes to the referee, who either gives his casting vote, or if he is himself uncertain which of the men deserves the verdict, orders an
extra round of two minutes.

That

generally, in fact

almost always, decides it. But the referee can go on ordering further rounds until two out of the three As a rule, the referee prefers to opinions coincide. decide himself, if he can as the competitors may

both be nearly dead-beat and after all, the battle is only to be one of three rounds, and it supposed ought to be settled in that time if possible. So it is that if you or your second have reason
;

COMPETITIONS
to believe that

141

you and your antagonist are equal on first two rounds, whilst putting forth your best endeavour to win in the third, it is always well to
the
It is in this extra strength in reserve. round, if it is ordered, that your condition will finally tell. Both men will know that the fight has to be
little

hold a

fought

afresh

in

miniature.

Therefore

they will

naturally think only of points and lead the whole time. There is nothing to be gained here by trying to knock your man out, unless indeed he lays himself
helplessly open, which is unlikely ; all you can do is to box in your very best style, and keep on leading as fast and as well as you know how. If you do

that

and your stamina

will win.

is

better than your adversary's,

you
far

The

more urgently home

the

question of reserving your strength comes to you, when you are boxing,
representative
of

one club against but in a competition where there are another, In a large preliminary heats to be fought off. there is likely to be the vastest difference competition in the merits of the various combatants some being If you have some experience "rabbits." complete behind you, and you are drawn with one of these
not as
in the first heat, there is little to trouble about. In such a case the process of weeding out takes little time, and the "rabbit" will be outclassed and possibly

minute of the first round. pity when two good men are drawn because whichever wins will be together at first battered and worn, and may very likely be beaten subsequently by a man whom, when fresh, he could
beaten in the
It
is

first

142
easily

THE COMPLETE BOXER

have mastered.
It
is

so

much more

satis-

be the final. But in factory for the best fight a big competition like the amateur championships With it comparatively seldom turns out to be so. a large entry there are certain to be good boxers together in the preliminary fights, and the two best of these meeting at the end will surely be too tired
to to put

up a very fine battle. Such is the strength of some

training,

men and

the

perfection of their

that

admirable

finals

now and
rule.
?

again.

you do see most But it is not to be

is

expected as a

How
all
;

then

a competitor to

reserve his strength in order to win at

to

He must do his best throughout

or rather he must be ready

do his main idea

opponent
:

best.

only way is to box with one in your mind besides that of beating your let him do as much of the work as possible.
;

The

Do not run about the ring do not waste your energy on swings, which if they do not land, as explained before, take more out of the man who gives them than any other blow. Avoid much in-fighting, and on this occasion more than any other for your own
sake abjure clinching.

When

you draw a bye

it

in

the

first

heat of a

usual to spar with your own second competition, or with a friend. The rule gives it that you may
is

box with anyone approved of by the judges and The idea is, of course, that you should not referee. come fresh to the next heat, as you would if you had not boxed at all. At the same time it is not to be
expected that a bye shall be such an exhausting affair as an actual bout, and there is no particular

COMPETITIONS
reason

143

why

it

should be.

You

are entitled to take

some advantage when the drawing of

lots gives it to brisk spar for three rounds of the same you. duration as those in the competition is sufficient. 1

A good,

length of rounds varies according to the The Amateur Boxing practice of individual clubs. Association provides that the first two rounds shall

The

be of three minutes and the third of four. But in many club competitions the rounds are shorter two, two, and three minutes being generally enough
:

to test

men

properly.

is over, you retire to your and your second should be just as zealous then as before previous rounds in refreshing you by every means at his disposal. There is always the chance of the judges disagreeing and of the

After the encounter

corner,

referee

better never

In boxing it is ordering an extra round. to take anything at all for granted.

is

your favour, you go over to your opponent's corner and shake hands with him there, generally leaving the ring before him. You also shake hands before the
beginning of the
last round.

When

the decision

announced and

in

An awkward
occasionally faced

problem with which you are very is a boxer who stands with his

It is generally a naturally right leg and arm in front. Such a style is left-handed man who does this.

very rare, and to see it successful is rarer still. When pitted against a right-handed boxer, you must modify your own style accordingly. Such a match will be
1

Army Boxing

For the method of drawing, see Rules of the Royal Navy and Association, Appendix ii.

144

THE COMPLETE BOXER

a perfect hey-day for one who uses the ordinary If that right is position, but is fond of his right. and strong, he should make the most of it. quick Facing a right-handed boxer, certain of the rules which you have learnt in order to beat a more usual
thus you should work opponent must be reversed round towards your left, so as to avoid his left which will be held in readiness for a heavy crosscounter or swing, just as another man's right is. Then, to lead with your straight left at his head
:

opposed to the ordinary and boxer, it is to lead with your straight right thus the best and most valuable of all blows is made of none effect. Remember that an opponent of this kind will keep on leading with his right, regarding it as his best blow. You can guard that easily enough with held further in left arm, slightly bent and your
is

just

as

dangerous

as,

you than when guarding with your right. But never forget that it is your left which is your If you try and guard with your right, guarding arm. you will have to pull it over to your left shoulder, and you are then bound to leave your body fully
front of

exposed to your opponent's left to say nothing of putting yourself into an awkward and ill-balanced But with an antagonist of this sort it is position. much better to avoid the blow altogether, duck to your left and give him a right-hand body blow with your elbow bent, and your body leaning well forward.
:

Then
first

get

away

to your

left,

and bringing your position in case you have

moving your right right arm back again

to

foot into

guard

his left again.

COMPETITIONS

145
is

The
others.

pleasure in a good
is

fight
little

unlike

many
in

There anticipation and

other cases.

generally

enough joy

less

retrospectively than in

many

It is

the actual conflict in which lies

the keenest enjoyment. Nevertheless enjoyment in a hard-fought battle is not to be had without a fair
his name for a competition not feel perfectly at ease in his movements, or to whom the rudimentary footwork and the ordinary blows do not come almost instinctively. Unless you

knowledge of boxing. No one should enter

who does

have advanced
theoretical

thus

far
will

as

boxer,

your

little

only hamper any knowledge and preconceived ideas on the subject. And as mentioned before, the natural fighter the man in whom a certain amount of boxing is born is a more dangerous opponent than one who has just been The taught enough to make him stiff and awkward.
latter usually finds himself helpless when pitted against a man equal in weight and size, but more knowledge-

natural

able.

And

a really bad drubbing

is

It is beginner. not necessarily until you are a good boxer but until you have rubbed off the rough corners and

many a promising

apt to discourage far better to wait

find the accepted

methods natural

to you.

10

CHAPTER

XII

ACTUAL SELF-DEFENCE
".
. .

may Mars who

still."

watches

o'er

The

half-stripped votaries of the sawdust floor,

Protect thee

practical uses of

boxing for the purposes

THE
rated.

of self-defence in a street or other

considerable, but sometimes just a

row are
over-

little

Everybody

is

accustomed

to stories, actual or

invented, telling of the big bully thrashed by a little boxer. Plenty of big bullies have been thrashed by but in the interests of truth rather little boxers
:

than of sentiment it is as well to add that where the bully is himself a boxer (and a boxer may be fairly competent without being very courageous) the little man will wish he was a big man. Weight and height

must of themselves tell. But then, most fortunately, these valuable qualiA hulking ties sometimes tell against their owner. ruffian with no knowledge of boxing, or what is a very little knowledge, will expend his worse in futile swings and wind-mill blows he will strength he will fight himself to a get his feet mixed up
size
;
;

and

standstill.

And

all

the while

or

not as the case

may

be,

will

the other man, little keep himself in

ACTUAL SELF-DEFENCE
reserve
;

147

looking on, so to say, an interested spectator. The mighty, blundering arms will pass and repass over his head but by a little slipping and ducking on the part of a skilled opponent, these stupid blows
;

never land on any vital part. And then when the giant has worn himself out and stands panting and exhausted, his antagonist still keeping admirwill

ably cool and collected ally smash him.

will carefully

and systematic-

That

happens reckon on the ruffian being a merely hulking one he may be a good hand, for instance, at kicking with And so to be useful in such hob-nailed boots. the boxer has to alter his methods a emergencies little and be prepared for eventualities in no way
:

the best side of street fighting, and it fairly often ; but it is not always safe to
is

connected with the Queensberry rules. Of course you will soon see whether the man who attacks you, or whom, for one reason or another, you
feel called

going to fight fairly or all you have to do is to box not. as well as you can as though you had entered for a competition with bare knuckles, but with certain In the latter you must keep a sharp modifications. look out and employ certain dodges, some of which will be indicated here, which are outside boxing.

upon

to attack,

is

In the former case

In the first place, your position in any impromptu encounter should be rather different to that employed in ordinary sparring. You should stand more edge-

ways on towards your opponent, so as to give him and your attitude should as small a target as possible be more cramped. You need not be afraid of this
;

48

THE COMPLETE BOXER

tired the sooner, as such a fight
It is

on the score of being

is

unlikely to last long.

to

guard every should be held well up with the chin sunk below it. Your left arm should be more bent than is usual, your
fist

vital point rigidly.

extremely important Your left shoulder

right elbow nearer the pit of your stomach, and the Your feet will be in the same close to your face.
It is

position as they ordinarily are.

an ungainly posture, and there will be none of the free and easy movement which is so essential to good boxing. But a fight in grim earnest cannot
allow for the elegances of sport. You must protect yourself as best you can and damage your enemy as

much as possible in the quickest time. In the case of a hooligan, you must do all in your power to disable him completely. Winning by a fair margin
of points tumble.
If
is

hardly satisfactory in a street rough-and-

your opponent stands up and boxes like a man, one particular blow you should try and land and that is a straight left at his throat. at once You can occasionally bring it off when boxing with gloves if your antagonist leans his head back otherthere
is
;

wise the size of the glove mitigates its effect, and the blow lands partly on the top part of his chin and With the bare partly on the top of his breast-bone.

however, there is no difficulty about bringing the knuckles into undisturbed contact with the apple of the throat. Such a blow, well delivered, may virtually
fist,

finish the encounter.

The man who

receives

it

gasps

for breath,

open

to

and probably staggers back, laying himself another blow given as you please at the

ACTUAL SELF-DEFENCE
side of his jaw.
It is

149

extremely painful, this throat

to receive
it

blow, and

if

you happen

yourself you

should cover up with both hands and get away for In order to land it, you a moment or two if possible. should feint with the
order to
left at

make him throw

little

Then

step in a

your opponent's head in back to avoid the blow. closer and send the left home
it

well under his chin.

Remember always in a street fight a man who has some knowledge of boxing, but does not mean to use it fairly, will try and drive you up to a wall and hit your head back against it, if he can. The
consequence of that
in the open.
is

obvious

so always try to keep

not waste time in hitting your man about the head if he ducks low it will not hurt him, and you may damage your knuckles. In the same
:

Do

way, unless he has no coat or waistcoat on, be chary

of hitting him in the body. Buttons or a watch chain may do considerable damage to your knuckles, Of course you must especially when repeatedly hit.

not leave his body alone particularly if the man is a fat or a flabby one. But make sure that when you

do

hit

him there

carefully timed.

a really hard one, With the hooligan type you should

is

that the blow

make a point of avoiding his mouth. Dangerous cases of blood-poisoning have resulted from knuckles cut on the teeth of this sort of man. Aim for his jaw,
his throat,

and

With the man who

his temples in particular. fights "all in," as the saying

goes, who will employ any means of hurting you from half a brick to a knee in your stomach, you must be more vigilant. This kind of man will often charge

150

THE COMPLETE BOXER

with his head down, trying to butt the wind out of

The ordinary boxer will naturally regard this you. So it is. as a first-class opportunity for an upper cut.
that.

But you need something much more damaging than It is not the slightest good being quixotic on such an occasion. You must stop the man as best you may. The thing to do in this instance is to wait for him, and as he comes in bring your right leg up in a level with the left, and lift your knee with all
your power into his face. Your fists should then get a chance of completing the good work in the next second. By the same mark, never lower your own head in case your opponent may remember his
knees.

shins.

kick your That easily stopped if you can keep a cool Lift your foot off head, and, as before, wait for him. the ground six inches or so, and the fellow's own shin
is

Then

there

the ruffian

who

tries to

is

will

boot.

come into violent contact with the toe More dangerous is he who pretends
his
fists

of your

and suddenly kicks out your stomach. Of course the most serious injuries may be caused in that way but if you are quick enough and the best of boxing is that it makes
with
:

to fight sideways at

you
fair

alert to perceive this sort of thing as well as the

manoeuvres of the ring if you are quick enough then you can step back half a pace, snatch your opponent's leg as it .rises, and by an upward jerk throw him down. In any sort of street fight, however, do not be led into wrestling unless you are an expert at it and keep to long range hitting, waiting your chance for
;

A STREET FIGHT. THE THROAT BLOW IS GIVEN MUCH! MORE EFFECTIVELY WITH THE NAKED FIST THAN WITH A GLOVE
(see page 148, c.j.

page

7,

in)

ACTUAL SELF-DEFENCE
a punishing blow.
far better to hit

151
It is

Little blows are of no use. seldom and with all your might.

With

the type of

man

already referred to
it

who
never

stops at nothing, who stoops to anything, does to run any risks at all. If, for example,

your head into* 'chancery"

as

regards boxing handled. The origin of the phrase

in

you get an expression now obsolete you are likely to be severely

is fairly

obvious.
is

Having once got into actual Chancery there

siderable

con-

difficulty Getting your head into chancery is caused by ducking too low past your opponent's left, so that he can bring his arm back quickly and hold your head beneath it. True that by this means he cannot hurt you much

getting out again.

way as your face is protected by his and your left will be free to guard your own body, but he may throw you badly, or he may inflict much
punishment by kidney blows.

in the ordinary

The

best

way
"

to get out of chancery is to hit at

your opponent's
can, at the
his.

mark

"

with your

left

same time getting your

left

as hard as you heel behind

:

It is
if

but

not the least use pulling with your head you are strong enough you may be able to

loosen your antagonist's grasp by forcing up his left arm with your right hand. But in street fighting you

should

make

it

a rule never to get near enough to

to allow the possibility of chancery.

your opponent

In boxing, to grip a man's head under your arm is a matter to be just like any other form of holding dealt with instantly by the referee.

There
quently to

is

another kind of antagonist more frebe met with than any other in a street

152

THE COMPLETE BOXER

He may be by row, and that is the drunken man. a fair boxer or no boxer at all, or a " kick practice
and
man. But when drunk all types when thoroughly drunk have this in common it is His sensibilities are extremely difficult to hurt him. His Dutch courage is heroic and though deadened.
half-brick
;

"

it is

but Dutch courage

it

serves
to

its

purpose.
is

Men
rule,

like this are easy

enough

knock down as a

for the simple reason that standing at all

a con-

siderable trouble to them.

far

gone
fall,

the

in drink they will rise, little the It and make for you again.

But unless they are very worse for

is

always

disgusting to hit a drunken man, but it frequently has to be done and it is as well to remember how
difficult it is to

make any
of

An

instance

this

impression on him. once came within

the

Some boys walking on a heath near one of the public schools were stopped by a farm bailiff and accused wrongly, as a matter of of trespassing. detail They bandied words with
writer's experience.

him.

The

bailiff

was a big

toxicated.

He

chose one

fellow, excessively inof the boys, quite arbi-

throat, threw him to the and fell atop of him. He was too drunk to ground, keep his hold, and with the help of another boy
trarily, seized

him by the

pulling at the fellow's coat-tails, the first contrived to But he was scarcely on his wriggle from under him.
feet before the bailiff

rest of the

had risen too. Whereupon the formed a circle round the pair and boys

cried out for a fair fight. The ground was level

though

failing,

was

sufficient.

and grassy the light, chance the Quite by

;

ACTUAL SELF-DEFENCE
bailiff

153

had picked out the one boy in the group who had a certain knowledge of boxing. The latter led with his left, the former ponderously swung. The boy stepped aside, and sent home a right hook on the man's jaw. He went down, groaned a little, rose again. Three times the boy knocked stirred,
the
blow.

without himself receiving a single the average schoolboy of seventeen, weighing not more than ten stone, cannot hit like a
bailiff
;

down Of course

hardened pugilist but his blows must have some power behind them. However, they made no imAfter the last pression on his drunken antagonist. knock-down the man found a big stone on the ground with which he tried to batter the lad. Slipping past
him, the latter wisely retreated, watching the fellow's

blundering movements. Finally, dodging behind

pleasure of seeing
the

a bush,

he

had

the

drunken bailiff stagger off into an adjacent wood, believing he was still upon the Provided there is nobody else to schoolboy's tracks. suffer, nothing is to be gained by standing up to a man who tries to break your head with stones. And if you cannot disable or stop an opponent of this kind,
the best thing is to exercise a wise discretion (it may be the better part of valour, but that's not the point),

and

retreat in

good

order.

Fiction and the annals of fact abound in stories

of poetic justice, where a bully has been thrashed. Boxers as a rule are quiet and peaceful people, because they learn to be self-reliant and it is usually the man
:

who
is

is

uncertain of himself

rudest.

who talks most loudly and Not having any tangible qualities of strength

154

THE COMPLETE BOXER

or other excellence, such a man is insolent to strangers in the hope of impressing them with his importance. Now and again, Unfortunately, he often succeeds.

however,

it

happens that he
is,

insults the
all

wrong man,
temporarily,

and

his

arrogance

at

events
tells

obliterated.

Borrow in The Romany Rye bragging and hectoring coachman.

pictures
in

a story of a There is a feeling

at the present time (probably fostered

by charming

Christmas Supplements), that the oldfashioned drivers of fours-in-hand were bluff and George genial fellows, fond of their joke, and kind. Borrow has little good to say of them, however. The man of whom he writes on this occasion had been particularly offensive to a mild-looking, elderly man who sat behind him. The latter was obviously not well-to-do, and therefore an unlikely victim to such
wiles of jocularity as the driver

had
the

at his disposal.

Nevertheless

"

Remember

the knight of the box to the elderly

alighted.

coachman," said man when he

"

"If you expect you are mistaken

me to
:

give you anything," said he,

give you nothing." boast of his noble
those present,

will

he hobnob, and of the princely sums they bestowed upon him. Later on the old man lit his pipe and went for a stroll and happening to pass the coachman, allowed some smoke to blow in his face. "What do you mean by smoking in my face?"

Then began the coachman to friends with whom, he assured

was wont
to

said the latter,

his mouth.

and struck the old chap's pipe out of

ACTUAL SELF-DEFENCE

155

The mild old man silently picked up his pipe, and took off his coat and hat, rubbed his hands together,
and advanced on the coachman
offence.
11

in

an attitude of

The coachman, who probably expected anything

movement from a person
of the age

but such a
stood for a

and

appearance of the individual

whom

he had insulted,

moment motionless with surprise, but, rehimself, he pointed at him derisively with collecting his finger the next moment, however, the other was
;

upon him, had struck aside the extended hand with his left fist, and given him a severe blow on the nose with his right, which he immediately followed with a left hand blow to the eye then, drawing his
close
;

body slightly backward, with the velocity of lightning, he struck the coachman full in the mouth, and the
last

blow was the severest of all, for it cut the coachman's lips nearly through blows so quickly and The coachman sharply dealt I have never seen. reeled like a fir-tree in a gale, and seemed nearly un;

sensed.
himself,

The coachman, coming somewhat

to

disencumbered himself of his hat and coat, and, encouraged by two or three of his brothers of the
whip, showed some symptoms of fighting, endeavouring to close with his foe, but the attempt was vain, his
foe

was not

to be closed with
off

dodge about but warded

which
I

he did not shift or the blows of his opponent

:

with the greatest sang-froid, always using the guard

have described, and putting in, in return, short, chopping blows with the swiftness of lightning. In a very few minutes the countenance of the coachman was literally cut to pieces, and several of his

156

THE COMPLETE BOXER

;

teeth were dislodged

; stung with mortification, however, he repented and asked for another round, it was granted to his own complete

at length

he gave

in

demolition
It
is,

..."
know-

of course, dangerous to presume on a

ledge of boxing, and it can generally be said for But it is boxers that they seldom do so presume.

much more dangerous

of

to

presume on the superiority

following instance
will

mere

strength,

as

the

show.

Two big school-boys had a minor quarrel. One was a boxer, the other was prodigiously strong and
despised boxing.

He

believed that to hit a fellow in

a calculating way, with systematic intent, was to take And having the courage of his a mean advantage. opinions he challenged the boxer to fight. " We will see," said he, " what boxing can do To boast in that manner is to ask against strength." for trouble, as the saying goes. Professional boxers and even amateurs occasionally tell their prospective antagonists exactly what they mean to do to them, but that is commonly part of a deliberate plan. Most
unfortunately for moralists there is real power in the strength of a loud boast, because in a credulous world

people are very liable to be taken at their own valuaIn this case the boxer made no retort, partly tion.

because he was by no means sure that he could overcome the strong boy. So he merely accepted the The challenge, and for the rest remained silent. fact of a mill at a usual public school at astonishing the end of the nineteenth century would have been
too eccentric for wide approval,
it

was thought, and

ACTUAL SELF-DEFENCE
so the

157

two combatants retired to a distant and secluded field where there was no chance of interruption.

The fight opened with caution on both sides. The boxer naturally waited to see what his adversary would do, how he would leave himself open, and what was the best method of attacking the other, plucky as he was strong, took an almost scientific interest in observing how a boxer looks when he shapes up to you. Then he tried a wild swing which, if it had landed, would have settled the dispute then and there. But as is the way with wild swings it failed to land, and the attacker looked about him in some surprise, because when he hit his opponent simply wasn't This process was repeated several times. there. The boxer never attempted to land a blow, and after
:

a while the strong boy closed and tried wrestling. The boxer hung limp in his arms and allowed hima dangerous thing to do by self to be pushed over the way, as a heavy throw may do more damage than many hits. After that they rested for a moment or
;

two by mutual agreement. Now the ground where they were fighting sloped considerably, and the boy who had hitherto done all the work (thereby tiring himself) was rather clever, he thought, in always manoeuvring so that his opponent was below him. Early in the second round, he charged down upon his man, both arms whirling, hoping, and indeed expecting, to beat him down by sheer force. The boxer remained perfectly still on the lower ground; and just when his man came within reach, extended his left straight from the

158

THE COMPLETE BOXER

same time moving
his left foot for-

shoulder, at the

took his charging antagonist precisely on the bridge of the nose. The latter abruptly sat
ward.
fist

His

down.

That was a one-blow victory one synthetic, irresistible, unimprovable blow, as M. Maeterlinck would There was no question of continuing the fight. say The nose was broken and crooked. The boy whose strength had been his pride had to cast about for something more reliable to be proud of, and in the
!

mean time bore a

not very plausible tale to the school doctor about running up against a tree.

The opportunity most may be useful is when he

a woman, a
child, or

likely to arise where a boxer sees some ruffian ill-treating

an animal.

In the

first

of these

cases the rescuer must always bear in mind that he runs a grave risk of being stabbed with a bonnet pin.

Women

of the class referred to cannot endure the

:

least interference with their concerns

and

after all

a fight with your husband is quite a private and familiar matter. Moreover, women of this kind are usually well able to take care of themselves. There was, however, a case where a man walking through a mean street could not hold himself in check. big brute had got a woman on to her knees and, holding her by the throat with one hand, was hitting her with the other. As usual there was a small

crowd of interested and amused spectators, who would not stir a hand to help her. Not wishing to soil his hands on such vermin, the passer-by went up to the inhuman beast and deliberately kicked him with all his might and a thick boot. The man let go of his wife (or

ACTUAL SELF-DEFENCE
someone
coat,
else's wife, as the

159

case

may

be),

took off his

squared up to his antagonist, and said quietly and with menace " You do that again." So he did it again. And the man put on his coat and walked away.
:

CHAPTER

XIII

PROFESSIONAL BOXING
"
plenty of blunt in his cly, Who'd push an honest man out of his place, Or to take from him his living would try."

Damn that Who has

fellow,

say to your face,

definitely determining

upon a

profes-

boxing career, a man or rather boy must be for he has to begin very young told plainly and without mincing matters what it is that he will have to undergo. He should know, in the first place, that there is always a fair chance for genuine merit, a fairer chance than in any other sport by which a man may live. A boxer literally stands or falls by his own endeavour,

BEFORE

sional

absolutely

and

entirely.

There

is

tunity for favouritism.

be suppressed. He top, if he does not play the

of encouragement. In the second
clearly put before

really good boxer cannot is bound to fight his way to the

fool.

hardly any oppor-

All that

is

by way
it

place, the

boxer should have

him that while there is always a chance of a big ultimate reward, there are very few who get it that there is a strong chance of finishing a boxing career in comparative obscurity that the that is to say, a boxer of fighting life is a short one
;
;

1 60

PROFESSIONAL BOXING
five-and-thirty
is

161

reckoned a veteran. Lastly, without all, it is the most self-denying, frugal, any and the hardest life that a man can lead. For a professional must train far more severely than an amateur. He is far more severely tried. He should always be fit. And the boxer who fights his battle, goes out of training at top speed, and then has to get back again into condition for another contest, will not
exception at
last long.

But at the outset the novice must discover whether he has any real aptitude and talent. There are plenty of boys sixteen or seventeen years of age who think they would like to be boxers, hardy lads, willing to undergo the strain, risk the disappointments, and give up everything else for their chances in the ring. But they must find out if they have in them the makings of a boxer. Their best course is to be tried

by a professional of acknowledged standing. There are always plenty of these to be found who will only too gladly put on the gloves with a youngster and tell him straightly what he is worth. And if, after a few
trials, it
is

boxer, the

decided that he is worth something as a next thing to do is to join one of the

numerous clubs, to box regularly, to keep in training, and to further physical development in the right directions. The novice must eschew irregular combats before he has been put through his paces, and above all, in the meantime, stick to the trade in which he was originally set. No boxer, save one in the first rank, can afford to be a boxer only. And then when he has been taught a good deal, and has continued to forget his primitive notions
ii

62

THE COMPLETE BOXER

(without having which he would never have wanted to be a pugilist), he should enter for his club competiIf he proves successful, he will not want for shrewd people ready to push him into prominence. The best opening of all, after he has learnt a little,

tions.

knows that no man who fights " on the cross who a blow because he has been bought goes down without
is

a novices' competition at the National Sporting Every aspiring boxer knows that here, without the possibility of doubt, he will receive fair play. He
is

Club.

"

often
It is

To be seen there fairly allowed at the club. " character" that a boxer can have. is the best the only existing institution of its kind whose

alone essentially connotes the best boxing and If the committee absolutely straightforward dealing.
of the National Sporting Club once take a man up find that he justifies their confidence, it will be (saving sheer bad luck) his own fault if he ever looks

name

and

back.
If the

novice

is big,

there

is

for

him than

for other

men.

always a better opening Bantams, feathers, and

light-weights are plentiful. are comparatively scarce.

Good middle-weights Good heavy-weights are

very rare indeed. They are always needed. And any novice (of thirteen stone and upwards especistrength and agility with his weight, will be sure of a good opportunity of realizing
ally)

who mingles

himself.

Before a satisfactory settlement was arrived at a few years ago, the standard weights for championI f a man, ships formed a subject of constant bickering. say, of nine stone two and a half pounds called himself

PROFESSIONAL BOXING
:

163

champion at that weight, he could and the fact that he had been thrashed by some one half a pound heavier or lighter, as the case might be, made no
difference in his
their

own

estimation.

If

some people had

way the
is

would have

of boxers, both English and American, been as full of champions as the Haytian
roll

army

would have been a between seven stone and fourteen. So eight weights were agreed upon by the committee of the National Sporting Club fly,
of

There generals. for every ounce championship

bantam,

feather,

light,
:

welter,

middle, light-heavy,

and heavy-weights and for these challenge belts were given by Lord Lonsdale, President of the
N.
S. C.

The The

rules

governing these weights and the holding

of the belts will be found in the

Appendix
is

(iii.).

a fine fellow, a good and chivalrous sportsman. So was the old time and the latter was a tougher man he prize-fighter
;

better sort of British boxer

had to be. But on an average it is doubtful whether he had as much brains he relied more upon his seconds he was usually a rougher diamond. Can a man earn his livelihood by means of a sport, and yet uphold the highest tradition of that sport ? He can, but he very often does not. There are obviously fair boxers and obviously unfair boxers, but
;
;

the latter never rise to eminence.

An

unfair boxer,

one who

constantly breaking rules and fighting foul, can never hope to succeed. Unfortunately, however,
is

there are
is
it.

many men who

are unsporting boxers

that

to say, they are

rules, and they know But anything that they can do for which the

bound by the

64

THE COMPLETE BOXER

referee is unable to call them to order, they will do. This type of man would commit any foul if he could make sure of the referee not observing him happily, a rare contingency. " Yer mustn't do that," said an old pug once to a

pupil who had hit him with his elbow, 'Sides the referee might see yen"

"

it

don't pay.

to that kind of professional the referee is simply a policeman and a natural enemy. To the scrupulous

So

not a minion, but a giver of the law. The fair trusts the referee to uphold his fights fairness, to take stock of his endeavours, to sum up the difference between him and his antagonist.

boxer he

is

man who

"

Business

is

to himself
living,

and

business," the unsporting boxer says to his critics. He has to earn his

he

will assure you,

and he must do

it

by

all

the

means

If his opponent is such a fool as in his power. not to take similar advantages, that is his look out. And there are numerous tricks by means of which a

boxer

may

referee will

gain an unfair advantage, and for which a have difficulty in finding a remedy.

For cool impertinence and low cunning it is hard In an unimportant to beat the following incident. contest (it was not at any well-known boxing resort), a very modern young boxer was opposed to an oldfashioned veteran
the

one of that sturdy race with

his

all

hall-marks

humoured,
fighter,

who

a good upon thick-eared, flat and indiarubber-faced in his day had stood up and milled with
of
;

trade

him

His antagonist was a sleek, pastyfaced youth, with long dank hair flapping on his foreHe crouched, he struck head, and a shifty eye.
his bare knuckles.

PROFESSIONAL BOXING

165

tried

ludicrous attitudes, and he talked. He had probably to model himself on Tommy Burns, without

having the Canadian's pluck or real generalship. " But in a sense he was a good boxer " clever is the word used nowadays. But he was unable to make any impression on the old bruiser. In the third round he stood away, deliberately put his hands on his hips,

and laughed. "Arn't you

"

Put
"
It

it

here."

And

goin' to hit me, old soul?" he asked. he indicated his own "mark."

The

Don't play the

referee immediately leaned forward. "

fool,"

he

said.

Box."

was

at

exactly

the

same moment

that

the

veteran, a slow-witted fellow, sprang forward to take advantage of his adversary's position. If he chose to lower his hands, he must take the consequences.

But hearing the

referee's voice,

and not immediately

gathering the purport of what he said, the old bruiser himself paused, with his hands half raised. Ten

seconds

later, his

He youth had foreseen it all. knew his antagonist would try vainly enough, no doubt but still try to take the obvious opportunity and he knew that the referee would be annoyed by his ape-like trick, and would speak about it. And the chances were that his opponent would misunderstand the official order and be flurried. Thus he had a perfectly clear and free opening for a knock-out blow. There was nothing to be done. Obviously it was
The
clever"
:

into the ring to pick "

disconsolate seconds were hurrying up his unconscious form.

the old
referee

stager's

own

fault.

more experienced
to stop

would have ordered the men

boxing

66

THE COMPLETE BOXER

made any comment.
hit,
it

before he

Then

if

man had

would have been

foul.

the younger As it was,

he was within the letter of the rule. This " mouth-fighting" talking to your opponent, jabbering absurd threats during the progress of a round has like many other undesirable characteristics in the modern boxer been largely imported from the United States. Quite a number of American
boxers
tainly
find,
it

is

Cerpresumably, that talking succeeds. " liable to off" a simple-minded put

Another dodge is to stamp fiercely on opponent. the ground and glare balefully. But these things
are not too seriously to be considered. What matters a great deal more is the style of boxing which some-

times leaves the ablest referee in

starts

doubt.
at

man
:

in-fighting, battering away order to protect his own head the while

the

body

in
it

he sinks

upon

jaw. the intention, he warns the

his opponent'sc hest then he butts him in the If the referee sees that and has doubts about
:

man

if

he

But if the man who disqualifies him. has his back to the referee for the moment,

the latter persists, is butted

it

is

not

He can appeal always possible to see what happens. to the referee, but he may be endangering himself by doing so. Then there is a species of in-fighting which approaches so near to hitting in holds that the
two are well-nigh indistinguishable. One of the most pernicious influences
professional boxing
is

in

modern

the cinematograph.

Practically

every important match nowadays is photographed, that the whole world may see the films at some future The principals in the match acquire an interest time.

GUARDING A RIGHT SWING. THK POSITION OF THE STRIKER'S HAND IS RIGHT: INJURIES TO THE THUMB RESULT FROM NOT TURNING THE KNUCKLES SUFFICIENTLY FAR OVER
(see page 84)

PROFESSIONAL BOXING

167

very substantial one too in the cinematograph their match. The proportion is a matter of private arrangement. The winner may have a certain high percentage, the loser a considerably less

shows of

one
easily

just as the prize

in

money

is,

or should be, divided.

What happens

a one-sided encounter?

can

beat B, and knows it. From the moment have entered the ring he is certain that he can they knock him out at any given moment that suits his And if boxing is to be a sport and not a caprice. theatrical sham, as quickly as he ought to beat is able. But what would the public say ? Only two or three rounds ? How dull, how disappointing No. must keep up the pretence for a while, for twelve or fifteen rounds even, to please the outside For, if they do not get what they consider public. and call their money's worth, they will not patronize the cinematograph show. And then there will be no

profits to

That
side

is

speak of for A. one venomous element

in the

commercial

Another is the preboxing. sums which certain boxers insist on for a posterous The magnitude of the reward can scarcely be prize.
of
professional
cavilled
at.

In

this

case

the
If

demand
large

to a certain extent.
for a contest, a
will,

supply creates the people once subscribe

earns his living

sums

man who

with his

fists

reasonably enough, insist upon

is

continuing to

What

is

have a big prize. utterly beyond reason, however,

a
great

when
a

a boxer with

name

insists

upon

certain

"win, lose, or draw." Quite apart from any idea of sport, that has not even
paid to

sum being

him

68

THE COMPLETE BOXER

It is an arrogant the essence of good commerce in it. and absurd condition and the pity is that such a What it clause in an agreement can be tolerated.
;

has achieved notoriety and The world is to make the world pay for it. anxious for him to be matched with B. exceedingly is willing because he will probably beat A, and may possibly take his place as a man to demand enormous rewards. procrastinates he has got to

means means

is

simply this

anticipation he wants to bring into that condition when they would be grievpeople
;

work up the world's

ously disappointed

if

the match did not

come

off.

He feigns complete indifference towards it. Of course he can beat B he tells the papers but that's not the All his conditions must be complied with. point. All the time he means to fight, win or lose. He is no physical coward and can take a thrashing with the best if it is made worth his while. Or he may be a certain winner, and be not too willing may
:

but fearful of not doing so lest his At each delay the world, prestige should suffer. who might well be interesting itself in something
to join issue
;

rather more promising and profitable, works itself into a condition of frenzy. Any concession will be made rather than lose the great fight. So the question of

money is Then
one

settled.

should

certainly in (or perhaps his for A, substitute

some

cases

manager

and

backers) invents another excuse for postponing the battle. He won't agree to box at such and such a
place
or to accept the ruling of So and So as referee. Finally, the world gets tired of it all and the contest
;

PROFESSIONAL BOXING
is

169

arranged, and if the sentimental party have not in the meantime worked on the world's feelings and

Then it takes place. negotiations circularizes the papers formally retires from the ring, with one final advertisement of his new occupation, makes an arrangement with the proprietors of a
throttled

patent medicine which serves the purposes of both, and disappears for a time. In a few months he
ostensibly persuaded by his friends, The means really in fulfilment of his programme. which such a boxer plays upon the world's patience, by

crops up again

gains most of his notoriety, is the vulgarest kind of press campaign. And the worst of it is that once the man in question

by which indeed he

originally

has forced himself to be an object of public interest, the more reputable newspapers cannot ignore him.

They

are
;

heartily

disgusted,

and show

it

plainly

enough

but,

however

unwillingly,
it is

they perpetuate

the advertisement.

not boxing. The foregoing career, invented, but not in the smallest degree exaggerated, is typical of the present
It is all

very ludicrous, and

has been dealt with at some length to show where a genuine danger to the sport lies. And the huge sums forthcoming for boxing matches breed the most pathetic kind of imposture. The good, old-fashioned bruiser, who hoarded his hardearned prizes and retired at the end of a long and
day.
it

And

honourable career

to

his

little

pub,

is

dying out.

There were and are

of every sort, but fine

ruffians of this sort as there are

men

Nowadays our young

well leavened the lump. pugs are learning to have

70

THE COMPLETE BOXER

ambitions
in

dizzier

emulation

of

the

successful

bruiser, and fostered by him. They are very magnificent. They have diamonds. Of course, if a man squarely earns his money, no one has the least right to dictate the method of its expenditure. If the young boxer tries to be a swell, let him try. But it is a sad buffoonery and the sadder from his own point of view if he only knew it because
:

American

flashiness

is

so very characteristic of the black.

And
that

this brings us to the

most perplexing question

was ever faced by well-wishers of the sport. already been referred to in this conand by negro is meant the African slave, or nection,

The negro has

rather his descendants

in

America.

He
Bill

is

often a

very

fine boxer.

From

the time of

the early years of the nineteenth, to Johnson beat Jefferies in the present century, black men have fought with great success. Many of them

Richmond in the day when

have been extraordinarily

skilful

with
is

their

fists.

But, as already said, a black same way as a white man.

:

man

not

made

in the

He

is

far less sensitive

about the head and jaw he can take, almost without knowing it, a blow which would knock out the So that, toughest and most seasoned white pugilist. other things being equal, the white man and the black enter the ring together upon a different footing. In some cases a negro's weakness in the stomach countervails the hardness of his head, but not always.
inequalities in physique are of small importance compared to the matter of temperament.

But these

triumph, of whatsoever nature, turns the head of the average black. It is bad for him because he

Any

PROFESSIONAL BOXING
behaves
is.

171
just

like a spoiled child,

which

is

what he

And when that triumph is a personal one, over a white man, the nigger becomes an appalling creature, a devil. His insolence knows no bounds. His preposterous swagger excites the passionate hatred of
ignorant white

There
or he

is

men, the disgust of their betters. no holding him until his money has run out,

It is far better that transgresses the law. blacks should be allowed to fight, exclusively, amongst

themselves.
able

There are good black boxers

reason-

with a sense of proportion, a sense of the fitness of things good sportsmen with clear heads ;

men

numerous

Peter Jackson was one, but they are not sufficiently to warrant mixed fighting.

Some
attention

boxers have

all

and making seem to believe, more important. really these is to enter the ring fully dressed and
their clothes,

kind of tricks for attracting themselves appear, as they

One

of

to take off

their corner.

helped by a regiment of seconds, in majority, however, come into the ring with a great-coat thrown round their shoulders, ready and anxious to begin at once. These accessory effects do not matter much if the boxing is good. But so long as the sport exists there will always be men anxious to disguise incompetence by that amiable

The

love of display known as " swank." Up to a few years ago there were no two ideas

so utterly, and it seemed so hopelessly, irreconcilable as France and boxing. Of all things of which a Frenchman was entirely incapable, the proper use of

The notion of a Frenchman first. a pair of boxing gloves was a stock joke. putting on
his
fists

came

172

THE COMPLETE BOXER

In 1838 the bourgeoisie of Paris was excited to an

acute condition of pious horror on account of the two battles fought on French soil between Owen Swift

and Jack Adams. But in the process of years, and owing to the softening of the sport with gloves, this repugnance has succumbed. And now, on the very day that these words are being written, comes the news of the defeat of Bombardier Wells, heavy-weight champion of EngAnd with such land, by Carpentier, a Frenchman. strides has the noble art found favour in France rapid that the fact of Wells being knocked out in four rounds has not been regarded with profound amazeOf course La Savate was practised long ago ment. and the combined use of fists and feet was brought to But it was a high level of scientific achievement.
:

against our national instincts to join issue in this

way

and now
for this

at length
it.

France has learnt boxing as we

that

understand

Not

still

rather

are mainly responsible overwhelming revolution ;

we

Americans have taught the Frenchmen most. But the idea is the same and the most essentially British our exclusive boast must now sport that existed henceforward be shared. It must be with something of sadness that we of
;

the English-speaking races relinquish our old position sadness tempered with the conviction that a mutual
sport will do

more to cement an understanding between

two

friendly nations than all the wiles of diplomacy. Professional boxing is cleaner than it used to be.

Twenty

years ago there

better fights in a

way

were bigger fights and and such men as Robert

PROFESSIONAL BOXING

173

Fitzsimmons, James J. Corbett, John L. Sullivan, Frank Slavin, Charley Mitchell, and James J. Jefferies
still

hold, in the

mind of the

public,

names

for gigantic

endeavour and achievement, not to be rivalled at the

present day.

Nowadays
events
are
their

the best

boxers
light

feather
skill

and

England and weights

:

in

at all
these,

though
quality,

large as the past which

it

may be of a superlatively fine never make so much ado in the world at It is always the big men literally big men.
is

supported by giants, but when our great-grandchildren regard this present as a distant
past,
is

doubtful whether they will see in

is

it

many

giants of boxing.

no doubt largely due to the fact that while fighting has from the beginning attracted the widest attention and interest, there are far more boxers now than there used to be, and a much keener competition for the championships. Jim Driscoll and Johnny Summers and other first-rate
This

men

time will never hold the place in history given to Jem Belcher and Tom Cribb at the beginning, or to Fitzsimmons and Corbett at the end,
of our
of the last century. But the methods used in

own

some of the immortal combats of the 'nineties, judged by the standards of to-day, were not of the nicest.
by his own frank account of his great with Peter Jackson, the black, seized hold of fight his fist in order that the referee should tell them to
Corbett,

break away, and so that he might start fresh again when Jackson's in-fighting was proving too much for

174
him.

THE COMPLETE BOXER

The

underlying principle was the same as At that time it can hardly be said in clinching. to have been unfair and if men had to fight to a
;

finish

some

latitude

on that account might

certainly

be conceded. Also the noble art in those days was Bare knuckle fighting in in a transitional stage. which wrestling was allowed had just been abolished
;

and out of its ashes was springing the called modern boxing.

fastidious sport

and often ugly

kind

All chrysalid stages of development are tiresome and during this time, though the
:

science of boxing of craftiness

was yearly improving, a certain was practised which would be

first-rate

utterly despised

by

men

to-day
all

but which
events) an

was then considered

(in

America, at

inseparable part of the science.

Then, very light gloves were used so that the punishment received in these encounters was infinitely more severe than it is nowadays. Indeed, the twoounce glove gives as formidable a blow as a naked fist, and it protects the hitter's knuckles so that he can sometimes fight the longer. Corbett was a terrific hitter and the fastest man on his feet of his time. In 1891, he fought Peter Jackson for sixty-one rounds. Both men were at a standstill, utterly exhausted, and the battle was declared "no contest," which means the cancelling of bets. Then in the following year he won the
;

championship of the world by knocking out John Sullivan was a L. Sullivan in twenty-one rounds. mighty slogger who had won most of his battles with
bare knuckles, but his science was rather primitive.

PROFESSIONAL BOXING
Then Corbett
lost

175

championship to Fitzsimmons, who, with his opponent of that occasion, was a pioneer of modern scientific methods. Fitzsimmons is a tall, bony man with no great show of muscle, save on his back and shoulders easy to hit, But he had, and doubtalmost impossible to hurt. less has still for all his fifty years, an immense power behind his blow, and an astonishing capacity
;

the

for taking punishment.

And
came
could
as

then

last of the greater

white champions

Jefferies,

a giant of a man, upon

impression.

whom nobody

make any

He

started his career

one of Corbett's trainers, and ultimately beat both his old principal and Fitzsimmons twice. He remained undisputed heavy-weight champion until, in 1910, after years of retirement, he was persuaded Then he was beaten to fight Johnson, the black. in fifteen rounds, and the world is still waiting for a white champion.

CHAPTER XIV
REFEREEING
sports of a people cannot be too sacredly guarded, by to preserve to the country its proverbial character for real generosity, manly feeling, and true courage." Dedication of

those

The national who wish

to

Boxiana
ring.

Colonel Berkeley, a famous referee and patron of the

are three main essentials in a good

must have an absolutely comprehensive knowledge of boxing he must be able to make up his mind inexorably, and on the spur of any given moment and he must have the

THERE
to

referee.

He

power

command,
is

to

enforce his authority.

it.

man who
who
sport.
is

lacks perfect

mastery over some details

of the sport

palpably useless to control

One

One who
it.

undecided in an emergency is apt to spoil cannot make himself obeyed is like

not to be said that a referee of consummate

to kill

It is

pre-eminence is required for a small amateur competition, but for professional contests you must have
a good man. a most flagrant instance in the writer's actual experience to illustrate the first point given above, whereby an injustice was done in an amateur At the end of the third round, the judges match.

There

is

REFEREEING

177

disagreed and the referee ordered an extra round.

That round was unquestionably decisive. Afterwards the referee condoled with the beaten man. " Personally," said he, "I thought you won pretty " He was actually easily on the three rounds unaware that the referee could give a casting
!

vote.

Of course, the best of referees are fallible, and must occasionally be guilty of an error of judgment. But they should not plead guilty. If you make a mistake once in a way, stick to it and brazen it out. It is not a matter of life and death but if you say that white is black and then go back on yourself, all
;

confidence in you will be lost. Dealing with a troublesome

indecisive referee
tion.
is

professional,

the

One

of

them

sure to give food for dissatisfac" is Smith, don't hold," holding.

cries the referee.

enormously. fierce, but once

He

And his voice and mien matter must be peremptory, even a little

let his

and you know

will

order degenerate into a shout, that he is a weak man. Smith, we

:

holding.
:

continually constantly telling him not to and at length loses patience. "If you don't stop both leave the ring," he says. Jones holding, you'll the other man has not been holding at all. And

say,

is

a veritable nuisance
referee
is

he

is

The

the referee's order probably comes

less,

in

the

first

instance, from ignorance than from lack of observation. Secondly, his long sufferance is worn out,

and

his

presence

of

mind

is

gone.

He

says

anything that
aggravated.
12

comes

into his head,

and people are

78
It

THE COMPLETE BOXER

cannot be too urgently impressed that referees who look on at sport.

are for the sport, not for those

It is a commonplace that you cannot please everybody, and the good referee cares for the opinion of others, their delight or their annoyance, not one single snap

And looking at the subject from the of his fingers. other point of view, having once accepted a particular man as referee especially when he is authoritatively
acknowledged as one who knows his businessIn a crowd whatever he says is, ipso facto, right. of good sportsmen this is recognized as a matter of course but, unfortunately, crowds are not invariably
;

composed of good sportsmen. Loud disagreement and by the riff-raff of the world is often expressed that follows sport personal menaces are hurled at the man who speaks his mind and gives an un;

popular decision.
in
this or

Mr. Eugene Corri, incomparably the best referee any other country, whose sentiments are

expressed in the foregoing paragraphs, has himself Naturally frequently been threatened by ruffians.
excessively futile and ignorant but they always have been, are now, and ruffians always will be a danger to good sport. The fact is that these are men who put money on an event,

these

have been
:

tion,

with no risky idea of backing their sanguine expectabut of subscribing to a certainty. Such people

are always bad losers. To return to actual methods, a referee for professional contests must award a maximum of five

marks
or

at the

when he

considers

end of each round to the better man them equal, five to each. It
;

REFEREEING
is

179
to
sit

usual

in

ring-side,

England and with

is

for

the referee

at

the

clean-hitting,

boxers there

no

reason

straight forward he should move. why

where there is much clinching the fault the only way of being on one or both sides the men apart is to pull them with your keeping two hands. Of late years especially Mr. Corri has found it increasingly necessary to enter the ring, and perhaps

But

to stay there throughout the encounter. Directly the men get into holds, he pulls them away from each other, and walks between them to prevent the possibility of

done
it

in

This is always a sudden and unfair blow. America and for that reason (prejudiced
:

though
here
called

it

undoubtedly

is)

it

is

better
is

not

to

do

unless
for.

One

physical interference excellent purpose

referee
in

is

genuinely served by
:

the

presence of the
is

the

ring

when a

man
saved
hand.

knocked down, an excitable boxer is often from himself by the referee's restraining

already described, a boxer may forget he has learned for a moment, and, hitting everything a man when he is down or in the act of rising, turn a well-nigh certain victory into a defeat by
disqualification.

As

In the accompaying photograph, Mr. Corri is seen in the act of warning Wells to stand away

from his fallen opponent, Flynn. Neither Mr. Corri nor any other capable referee speaks to the men boxing if he can possibly avoid

doing so. A weak official is continually worrying the boxers throughout the contest; trying to make

180

THE COMPLETE BOXER

one would think
It
is

up

for

an

ineffectual

manner by

bullying.

quite
will

hopeless

to
in

kept means. Before giving any specific warning, a referee should stop the bout. Misunderstanding, which lead to a free blow for one of the boxers, might
is

obstinate

man

be

expect that an order by this

thus avoided.
It is also

an important part of a referee's duty kind of combat, whether amateur or proany fessional not to allow a man to receive unnecessary If in his opinion a boxer is completely punishment.
in

outclassed, he

should stop the fight at once. But in doing this he must use discretion born of long man may appear half-killed to one experience. who has seen little or nothing of boxing, and

yet turn out to be an easy winner. face is covered with blood, one of
closed,

A boy whose whose eyes are

may be

and who

is

little

weak

in his legs,

the object of the deepest pity on the part of inexpert But the blood may be caused by a spectators.

gentle

he can after all see tap on the nose out of the other eye and a moderate hit clearly on the jaw may have made his knees shake a little.
;
;

which is the worst symptom, soon and he may win. So anyone who would passes off, stop a bout on such slender grounds does not know enough about boxing to be a referee. A man who is really hurt has often far less to show to an He may be quite unmarked, undiscerning eye. but his breathing is strained; and there is a look
the
last,

And

in his

eye quite unmistakable to anyone

who has

REFEREEING
closely observed before.

181

the

same thing a hundred times

Then there is the question of knock-down blows. man may be brought to the ground time after time and yet not be beaten. And a referee should

not stop a fight merely because a boxer has been knocked down two or three times. He must judge

by other evidence as well the way he falls and the time and manner in which he rises again whether he is obviously ready to go on fighting, or whether his gloves are leaden weights too heavy to be lifted by so weak a man. The following incident gives some idea of what
a determined

man can endure. In the light-weight of 1906, between Mr. C. C. Wilson of competition Oxford and Sir Philip Brocklehurst of Cambridge,

the latter went down three times in quick succession from blows on the jaw. They were really hard hits, though just not hard enough for a knock-out.

with

Almost immediately a smashing

after the third

fall,

right on the jaw

Brocklehurst, sent Wilson

down for nine seconds. He rose weak, but at once knocked the Cambridge man down and out. This extremely sensational encounter was finished
in precisely

Almost
a
contrary

two minutes. exactly the same thing happened with

result

the

previous

year,

when

the

same Cambridge representative beat Mr. C. N. Newton. The fight was longer, and Newton though badly knocked about all but beat Brockle-

Some referees would second round. have stopped the round after the unquestionably
hurst in

the

82

THE COMPLETE BOXER

And though in second or third knock down. if they had, there would have been no both cases, ultimate difference, the man most punished still had a chance of winning, a chance which he all but
seized.

The judges in a competition are happily free from severe responsibility. They have merely to write down the name of the man they consider to be the
Judges should be provided with slips of on which they write the marks given to the paper Five marks is the maximum for the competitors. first two The rounds, and seven for the third.
better.

better man, or, in the event of equality, both men, must be given the maximum. It is not for the

judges to speak to the boxers or their seconds on

any occasion.
the referee.

That

is

exclusively the
sit

business of

timekeeper,

who should always

next to the

referee, ought for the sake of precise accuracy to have a stop-watch. He should give the seconds good warning to leave the ring before the call of Time and in case of emergency he should cultivate a penetrating voice. It is an invariable rule that spectators must be silent during the progress of a round, but it is an impossible rule to enforce. And sometimes when excitement is running very
:

high,

the noise the

hear

so great that the boxers cannot At the National timekeeper's voice.

is

Sporting and some other clubs an electric bell is used, with which there can be no mistake at all. One of the hardest tasks with which referees

and judges

alike are faced

is

to

keep

in

mind

that

REFEREEING

183

the issue depending on their decision is boxing and boxing alone. It is so remarkably easy to take a

fancy to one man's style or demeanour in

the ring
scientific

and

regard

that

apart

from

his

strict

capabilities.

CHAPTER XV

THE ORGANIZATION OF A CLUB

"

Modern boxing

by

the efforts of a few amateur clubs."

has been saved from falling into disrepute E. B. MICHELL, Badminton

. . .

Library.

to the work.

spare time of the kind is enterprize necessarily fraught with a certain amount of difficulty and discouragement. The enthusiasm of a few men,
all

THE

organization of the smallest boxing club must be undertaken in the first instance
their

by men who can give

Any new

though always essential to the carrying on of a club once it is started, is not sufficient to bring it safely into being. You must be certain of a sufficient backing both in numbers and in money. So you have to decide first of all if a reasonable number of people want the club, and then to find, if possible,
a president or figure-head who is willing to subscribe liberally and take an interest in the club's welfare.
It is

general
entirely

impossible to give anything but the most idea of how a club is run, because it

depends who and what the members are, and where the club is situated. The organizers of the club must fix the amount of the annual subscription and the entrance fee,
184

THE ORGANIZATION OF A CLUB

185

and then discover what other funds, if any, they have at their disposal. Having determined on the club, a general meeting
of
all

members should be
will control the

called to elect a committee,

elect officers.

which

management and

Subsequently there should be an annual general meeting for this purpose. These officers, apart from the president, should include a captain, an honorary secretary, and a treasurer. Where the membership is large it is a good plan to secure the services of a good man of business, not necessarily

on the committee,
will

to

act

as senior treasurer.

It

be his duty to draw up the balance sheets, and to advise on matters connected with expenditure.

The collection of subscriptions the spade work of can then be left the financial side of the question to a junior treasurer, who will sit on the committee.
That body,
six in

need not exceed and secretary. The committee should have power to call a general meeting at any time to decide any specific matter connected with the club.
for

any ordinary

club,

number, including the captain

Having
step
is

to

settled the question hire one or more

of funds, the

next
rent

rooms.

The

should be comfortably within the means of the club. In dealing with the landlord it should be made perfectly clear for what purposes the club room
to be used. Boxing itself makes very little noise but a punching-ball is terrible in this respect, and neighbouring householders might object, trouble of
is
;

one sort or another might follow, and there would be no peace. You should hire a room where you

86

THE COMPLETE BOXER

may do what you please, and hire it absolutely. Some clubs only have the use of their headquarters
days a week. satisfactory spend a little infinitely more and make your headquarters a genuine club, where members may leave their belongings and where the ring, punching-ball and sack are fixtures.
in
It

the evening or on three

is

or four
to

more

For the same reason

by the year,
if

it

is
:

better to hire your

room

be possible though done until you have ascertained the club's stability. It so often happens that a small club springs up
this should not

like

a mushroom and withers for lack of money,

and perseverance. Naturally a large room is required the larger and the higher the better, and one that is well lighted. Beyond a big table and a few plain chairs no furniture is needed, unless it be cupboards or lockers for members' fighting kit. Electric light or should be laid on, and if competitions are held gas in your own club rooms, there should be some means of arranging a good light immediately over or on all sides of the In this way there will be no ring. of one man trying to get the light into the question
enterprise,

eyes of his opponent which, though perfectly justiwhen it can be done, is an unnecessary complication for amateur combats.
;

able

or can be

room should always be taken where water is laid on. A small extra room where
main

possible, or at least a partitioned corner of the room, should be used for a shower bath.

More

ambitious luxuries

amount of

of course, depend upon the Then the fixtures must subscriptions.

will,

THE ORGANIZATION OF A CLUB

to the

187

be bought, and gloves for general use, according

number

of members.

Properly managed a boxing club should support

by means of competitions. The public will always pay to see a good fight, and a larger room
itself

or hall can usually be hired for the purpose. The expenses are very small the erection of a stage and ring, the hiring of chairs and seats, the payment
of seconds and one or two odd

men

to collect tickets

and make themselves generally useful. Members of a club very often manage all these extra duties for
themselves.
tised,

extensively adverspent and the printing bill is nearly always a considerable item. It will be the secretary's duty to see that there is no unnecessary
If
is

a competition
is

much more money

expenditure in this direction. Later on, as a club progresses in numbers, when the competitions have discovered talent, and sports-

men

outside are beginning to notice the individual prowess of prominent members, a competition can

be arranged with some rival institution and members can be selected to represent the club at the amateur
;

championships.

When the club

to the
rules

is first

started

it

should be

affiliated
its

Amateur Boxing and regulations.

Association, and abide by

Before the club has been actually formed, steps should be taken to secure the services of a capable In London this should present no diffiinstructor.

and little expense. But in provincial towns where no good professional boxer happens to live, But an inthe latter disadvantage is inevitable.
culty

88
is

THE COMPLETE BOXER

obviously necessary, and unless the prospective club is able to support one the possibility of its formation will scarcely have been considered.
structor

the honorary secretary usually falls by far the He must search out largest share of the club work. and enrol new members in the club's youth he must
;

To

be ready to discuss glibly the advantages of boxing he must write innumerable letters, giving notice of he must arrange all meetings and other matters As a rule, details connected with the competitions. a willing instructor can be of the greatest assistance in this last. For he can supervise the fitting up of
;

the ring, and remember to provide basins and towels and water and such small matters without which a competition cannot be conducted.
It
is

the honorary secretary's

business also to

and judges and their entertainment, if they come from a distance and have to spend the night in the town where the competition is held. Lovers of boxing are always pleased to encourage even a new, small, and obscure club and there never need be the least difficulty in getting
arrange for the referee
;

officials for

your competitions

who understand

their

work.

Then
number

there are the complimentary tickets. The of people who believe themselves entitled to

watch any competition for nothing is wonderful. The secretary must discriminate, giving tickets on the
principle, not of good nature, but of strict expedience. It is charming to please your friends, but if you are

responsible for the well-being of the club, and know that your friends will pay to see the competition if

THE ORGANIZATION OF A CLUB

they cannot get in without paying Give free seats rather to those who
to the club,
let

189

them pay.
useful

may be

who may bring others may introduce new members when

wanted.

to the show, or

they are badly

is

A captain has less

up some

to do.

His work

exclusively

concerned with boxing itself. He should arrange the hours of attendance for the instructor, and draw
sort of table for the lessons of beginners. Instructors are only human they will have their
: ;

the captain's duty to see that has his fair share of teaching. each member Before a competition, those entering for it will naturally have more attention paid to them particularly when the
favourites
it

and

is

prospective encounters are to be against some other club. It will then be the captain who chooses the representatives and sees that they are properly
trained. He is helped in his decision by means of a preliminary competition amongst the club members. A particular instance may serve to give an outline At Oxford there are two of a good working rule. the October club competitions every year purely

Term and the Preliminary or Trial The former used at one time to be called
but the

Competition.
the Novices
;

name was dropped owing to misunderstanding on the part of the public. The word " no vice" in regard to a boxing club means a man who has never gained a prize since he has been a member of that club not necessarily, as is commonly thought, a raw At the universities, a man may have won beginner.
;

a public school championship and yet be eligible to

compete

in the novices' competition.

So

the

name

9o

THE COMPLETE BOXER

The October Term Competition, then, discovers new talent, to be carefully fostered generally and developed for the following term.
was changed.
Then, about the middle of February, a competition held open to any member of the university who has not completed four years' residence. Usually,
is

the winners of this, at their respective weights, represent Oxford against Cambridge but not necessarily This is the great event of the year, and every so.
;

effort

must be made

to find the best

man

at

his

And it is not by manner of means the best man who always wins any the trial. So the choice rests with the captain, who,
weight
to fight for his university.

words of the rule, " committee, but whose decision

in

the

shall consult with shall

the

be

final."

Though
very

superficially it may seem unjust, it is a wise measure thus to restrict the judicial capacity

of the preliminary competitions, because one of several causes may prevent the best man from winning. He
is

may, for instance, injure his thumb, so that one hand useless, and be beaten by an infinitely worse boxer. By the time he has to fight for Oxford he may have And the captain will choose him. Again, recovered. a man may be knocked out by a lucky blow or even beaten by a narrow margin on points, and yet be, on the whole, the better boxer or at any rate the one most likely to frustrate the wiles of the Cambridge
;

representative.

captain should in all cases make a point of watching the preliminary competitions of the rival club, noticing the different styles, and, if there is any room for choice, deciding which of his men is most

THE ORGANIZATION OF A CLUB

likely

191

win on this particular occasion. On one memorable occasion before an Oxford and Cambridge encounter, one of the weights was only contested by two men, and neither of them were of the least use and the man ultimately chosen had not even entered
to
;

his

name

for the preliminaries at all. Because of this rule the captain of a club

may

most disagreeable and invidious He may himself be beaten in the trials, but position. honestly believes that he has a better chance of winning
find himself in the
for his club than the

man who

has just gained the

must choose himself. And, though doubtless he will have the support of the committee, the situation is none the less a hateful one. The fitting up of a ring, whether for a competition
verdict over him.

He

a special place, or as a fixture in a club, should always be done with great care. There are two kinds of rings one, the most usual, has posts in
in

and the other has the posts outside takes up more space, which is generally valuable on the occasion of competitions. If the ring is to be on a raised stage, a margin
the four corners
;

them.

The

latter

of at least a foot
outside

more, for choice

should be

left

it. Otherwise, when fighting against the a competitor is liable to slide his foot outside ropes, them and over the edge of the stage. And that may But whether on the floor of a cause him an injury.

stage or not, the posts should be let into the ground for a distance of six inches. They should be four in number and five feet high, smooth and rounded but
;

that portion of them which is in the floor must be They should be square, fitting into a square hole.

92

THE COMPLETE BOXER

the posts
height,

kept firmly in place by two iron stanchions, bolted to themselves at about two-thirds of their

and to the floor. There should be at least two thick ropes, and three are preferable. These should run through holes in the posts, one within nine inches or so of the top and the others at equal distances and they should The tops of the four be pulled absolutely taut. posts must be padded lest a competitor is severely knocked back against them. A convenient form of
;

padding, frequently used, consists of a couple of old If you think it necessary boxing gloves securely tied.
to protect the lower part of the posts,

two or three

felt will serve the purpose. In order to avoid any chance at all of knocking against the posts, they may be fixed well outside the corners, the ropes being supported by loops.

pieces of thick

Special attention

ring, particularly

when

should be paid to the floor of it is on a stage which has

been built up just for one night. The boards should be well cramped together, so that they are perfectly
level

and tight. And for competitions especially should be liberally sprinkled with resin. they Lastly, since competitions are almost always held at night, it will be the work of the committee in general
as soon as one fight is over the next With a pair of boxers are ready to enter the ring. for various weights and dilatory methods, big entry
to see that

the evening's sport

is

apt to be far too protracted.

CHAPTER XVI
MILITARY BOXING: ITS ORIGIN

AND GROWTH
BY
J.

H. W.

KNIGHT-BRUCE,

SIXTH ROYAL REGIMENT

"
. . . .

The image
its

of war, with none of

its

guilt

and only twenty-five

per cent of

dangers."

SURTEES, Handley

Cross.

wave of

have been a good thing for the respect to her place as a world power. country Good men think it has equally good men think it But there can be no shadow of doubt as to has not.

THE
in

England
not,

athleticism that has swept over during the last half-century may, or

may

its

incalculable benefit to the British army.

One may, perhaps, wonder whether an English business house, all of whose clerks are playing golf in
golf in their working ones, is quite so likely to excel in the race for supremacy as, say, a German one, whose clerks are
their leisure

moments and thinking

learning languages in their leisure moments and thinking of nothing but the business in hand in their work-

ing ones.

One may, perhaps, wonder whether a nation whose sons spend their youth playing or watching games
13

194
will

THE COMPLETE BOXER

be able to meet on equal terms on the field of whose sons have received two or three But years' systematic military training as young men. however one may doubt the wisdom of a tremendous devotion to athletics in a nation, one can have no doubts whatever about such a devotion in her army. The lessons to be learnt from games, and the increased physical and mental efficiency that come from playing them, are useful indeed to any man, but inbattle a nation

valuable to the soldier.

And

of

all
is

games, perhaps the one that does him

most good

boxing.
it

Think of the

qualities essential

to the soldier

calls

out and fosters.

Courage,

fit-

ness, the capacity for keeping one's head, when that said head is dazed and reeling from murderous blows ; good temper under reverses, instant obedience to the

command

of the referee, the knowledge that one

still

has a chance of winning however terrible a gruelling one may be getting at the moment, lightning quickness to seize an opportunity only presented for an instant. And many another lesson may be learnt in the ring

and be found invaluable

in the battle-field.
is
:

the real image of war though Mr. Jorrocks thought fox-hunting was. I once heard a well-known general give it as his

Why,

it is

the ring that

" opinion that a good man to hounds is already a halfmade soldier, "and I think the same might be said of a

good man

in the ring.

The boxing

soldier

is

almost

invariably an excellent

fellow, as are his better-class The idea that because colleagues in the civilian ring. a man can box he will be at error to his room-mates
is

fallacy.

On

the contrary, the few bullies

have

MILITARY BOXING

195

known have not been boxers. As an influence for keeping down drink, all games, and especially boxing,
have of course worked marvels.
boxing makes for the improvement of the soldier is now most cordially recognized by all those in authority in the army. General and Comofficers alike are most zealous in promoting manding boxing clubs, tournaments and championships in their
fact that

The

commands, while the controlling body of service boxing the Royal Navy and Army Boxing Association has for its president His Majesty the King, and for its vice-presidents five naval Commanders-in-Chief and eight military General Officers Commanding-inI think that this shows Chief. conclusively that boxrecognized at its true worth in the making of the soldier by those who are responsible for that making.
ing
is

And the men themselves are so keen. The best boxers in a regiment are held in high esteem by all. At any competition, from a regimental novice's to
the army championship, the great majority of the audience appreciate the cause and value of each punch, each guard or counter, and every tricky little bit of
ring-craft.

No mere ordinary lookers-on they, applaud-

furious rush, but cognoscenti, mentally discounting the value of the first by the fact that it was a wild swing, ill-timed, and only

ing the

showy blow or the

landing where it did by the grace of luck and the second, because by all the laws of ring-craft the rusher ought at that particular moment to have kept at arm's length, fought cannily and tried to take some
;

of the steam out of his

man

But the audience, packed

before walking into him. tier behind tier into the

96

THE COMPLETE BOXER

distance of the regimental drill-shed or on the

murky

seats of the great hall at Aldershot, keen as they are and critical as they are of the actions of the referee

through personal knowledge of the great game, are always ready to pay heed to the least sign from the A roll of applause for the master of ceremonies. winner and " another for the loser," should he have made a plucky fight, is pretty well all the rein the And yet their soldier audience give their feelings. are there right enough, especially should the feelings combatants in the ring happen to be of two different regiments, or even of two different companies or squadrons, both of whom are well represented in the
audience.

And
origin

so lessons useful to the soldier

may

be learnt even by the lookers-on.

The
rather
earliest

"

and early history of army boxing is Of course, from the wropt in mystery."

days of the British army contests of some sort between two men, unarmed except for their fists, either for sport or because there was bad blood between them, have been not uncommon. But they were not officially sanctioned, and would probably

have made the modern referee, with his " Boxing " Rules and Guide to Refereeing by his side, shed The latter class of contest was, and is, salt tears. discouraged as coming under the head of brawling. In parenthesis, I sometimes wonder if this fighting between two men who have a quarrel is as terrible
a thing as some people think. They appear to consider that the fighting is the cause of the quarrel in some obscure way. But this is, surely, putting The quarrel is there, the cart before the horse.

DUCKING FROM A RIGHT SWING AND COUNTERING ON THE "MARK"

(seepage 84)

MILITARY BOXING
whether
it
;

197

and even is settled by fighting or not on one side that fighting in anger is bad, admitting one must admit on the other that any bad blood there may be practically never survives a fight. Anyone can probably call to mind from the time of their school-days instances of boys whose enmity culminated in a fight and was transformed into a firm friendship from that day. And the boy is father to the man. And if no fight had taken place, but the quarrel had been patched up in some other way, I think it is a longish shade of odds that, at any rate, some traces of bad blood would have lingered on in the heart of one side or the other. But this is a discursion. We had got to where two of Alfred the Great's Militia now, alas no more throwing aside their flint-headed, sinew-bound axes (or whatever else they were armed with), engaged in an early form of mill with the whole of
!

England not occupied by the Danes

to fight in.

till comparatively recently boxing The only remained at this stage. army were that, the Danes differences worthy of note having been driven off, the ring was enlarged and short swords and bucklers, good yew long-bows and yard-long, grey goose-tipped shafts, twenty-foot pikes and muskets of a lessening degree of dangerousness and inaccuracy were in turn thrown aside as a pre-

From
the

this

time

in

liminary to the contest in place of the flint-headed,

sinew-bound axes.

And, as

came more

over-civilization grew, the army boxer and more to be looked on (as was his

civilian brother) as

a swashbuckler, a bully, a

man

98

THE COMPLETE BOXER

the lowest
status

of

with

whom

no good young

soldier

would consort.

take ourselves at certain extent he was

like

And, as most of us tend to others' valuation, doubtless to a

all this.

Anything organized boxing in the army began about 1886, when contests between men of the same or different regiments began to be directed by officers, put on a recognized footing and fought I do not mean to under recognized rules. say that
before,

during the great P.R. days of no recognition had been extended civilian boxing, to boxing amongst the men, but until about this date everything was very much in the air, left to the men themselves, and open to many abuses. From this time onwards boxing as a sport for Each year more men soldiers never looked back. took it up, more interest was shown in it, more misconceptions as to its results were removed, more rules for its conduct were drawn up, and more and more was it put on a proper basis, with efficient And, of course, the organization and regulation. more it was brought under one set of rules, the efficiency of the referees and judges increased, and the sport as a whole brought into line throughout
especially

the service, the the men.

more popular did

it

become among

In 1896 the sport had resumed such proportions that those in authority over it felt themselves justified
in

holding a championship meeting.

there

Before

this,

of

course,

had

been

men

styling

themselves

"champions"

of a regiment, brigade, division,

army

corps, or the army,

but no one

who was

officially

MILITARY BOXING
entitled

199

This meeting was and Army Boxing ChampionRoyal Navy ship, and was divided into two classes for each weight, one for officers and one for warrant officers, petty In officers and men. officers, non-commissioned
to

these

distinctions.

called the

the officers' class three weights filled, the heavies, middles, and lights, of which the first was won by Lieutenant J. Simpson, the Gordon Highlanders; and the other two by Captain H. M. C. W. Graham,

the Royal Marine Light Infantry. In the men's class filled, the heavies, middles, lights and feathers, and were won by Private Leahy, the
four weights

Grenadier

Guards,

Sergeant

Collins,

Drummer

Collins, and Drummer Phillips, all of the same regiment, which thus swept the board at this

meeting.

holding of this first combined championship meeting of both services was a great fillip to the The sport had now been legitiring in the army.
mized, and men had something tangible to fight for. To be declared the best man at the weight in both
services,

The

or even in one's

own

brigade or regiment
the
toil

(for this organization

now extended throughout

of training

service),

was an honour worth the

and

the punishment of the ring. By 1903 the entries for the

Army

Championships

had

become

especially from the senior service, sidered that a championship for

Royal Navy and so numerous, that it was conthe

navy alone

might with advantage be instituted, not in any way to interfere with the existing championship of both
services, but to

be a step leading to

it.

200
In

THE COMPLETE BOXER

the

1912 another championship was added for army alone this time. It filled well, and the middle and three officers' weights light-heavy,
welter

were won by Lieutenant C. O.

Lilly,

the

Dorsetshire Regiment, Lieutenant H. D. Bentinck, the Coldstream Guards, and Lieutenant G. le Q. Martel, the Royal Engineers while in the N.-C.O.'s
;

and

men's

class

the

heavy,

light-heavy,

middle,

light and feather weights rilled and were won by Private Clohessy, the Royal Munster Fusiliers, Private Delaney, the Leinster Regiment, Private Harris, the Coldstream Guards, Lance-Sergeant Blake, the Gloucestershire Regiment, Private Halpin, the Leinster Regiment, and Private Rhodes, the

welter,

8th Hussars.

There are now the following championships

in the

army recognized
Army.

as such

Royal Navy and Army.

Aldershot Command. Eastern Command.
Irish

Command. London District.

Northern and Western

meeting). Scottish Command.

Commands (combined

Southern
India.

Command

(including Channel Islands).

strides.

army went on by mighty But its very popularity was a source of It became unwieldy and possible weakness to it.
so boxing in the

And

MILITARY BOXING
unmanageable from
its size.

201
to learn low,

Men began

dirty tricks of the ring from second-rate civilian professionals. Men of repute could command long for contests and refused to fight without them. purses

Organizers of competitions were only too anxious to grant them, as by the presence of these star men the
gate was
largely increased, and consequently the And so the aspect of boxing profits of the meeting. as a money-making concern and not as a sport was

brought
incubuit,

to

the

notice

of

the

soldier.

"

Pecunia

victumque

ulciscitur

orbem."

In the civilian ring the bruiser has his bread to make by his gloves, and there of necessity the element of

money must come

if

in.

But the
;

soldier

ought to

fight,

fight at

all,

as an amateur
ring, for

for the exhilara-

tion

and joy of the

as
his

proving himself as good

neighbour, and for the soldier-like qualities fighting brings out in him. And owing to the number of competitions in the
service at
this

man

time, the lack

of any facilities for

the training of referees in the army for the army, and the absence of any recognized code of army

boxing
service

rules, the

question of referees and judges for And competitions became a difficult one.

nothing discourages a boxer more than the thought that he will be refereed by a man who does not understand the finer points of the game, or is, maybe, even

From all these causes there ignorant of its elements. was a certain amount of dissatisfaction among army
boxers,

and there were many admitted

to this time the sport

evils in

army
sort

boxing.

Up

had been run as a

202

THE COMPLETE BOXER

army gymnastics, and was under
the

of side-line of

In control of those in charge of the army gymnasia. fact it was considered as much a part of gymnastics
as bayonet-fighting or sabre play.

But now the sport

had assumed such proportions it was felt that it could no longer efficiently be run as a mere side-line, but it must
have
its

own management and

its

own

organization.

The result of this feeling was the Royal Navy and Army Boxing Association. This association
had for its objects the encouragement and improvement of boxing in the services, rather by inducing large numbers to enter for competitions than by to act as a central body specializing with individuals for control and appeal to make service boxing a sport in line with other games and not a mere moneymaking concern to put an end to clinching, which had crept into army boxing from the civilian ring, and which was felt not to be consistent with the
;

boxing in the army to secure or train every regiment officers capable of acting efficiently as referees and judges to put an end to enormous and make men fight, as they play games, for purses the honour to be got out of it for their regiment and for themselves to draw up a code of rules which
traditions of
in
;
;

should hold throughout service boxing

to give hints

on boxing generally, on managing boxing tournaments and boxing clubs and to issue a list of approved referees and judges whose credentials it could
;

guarantee. In fact, the association was to standardize and

bring into line and under control service boxing as a whole, to encourage and improve it in every possible

MILITARY BOXING
way, and to set
its

203

face against various admitted evils

it.

at that time existing in

The

association

was

started in 1910,
rules,
It

drew up a code of boxing

in the 1911 service

and at once which were first used

then legislated for the maximum amount of prize money to be allowed in competitions. It did this in the fairest possible way by classifying competitions according to the size

championships.

of the unit to which they were open, and then allowing only a certain maximum sum for each entry to be

given in prizes, of which two-thirds goes to the winner and the rest to the runner-up.

This is, of course, the best way of deciding the value of prizes, as the merit of winning a competition depends as well on the size of the entry as on the
size of the unit

from which that entry

is

drawn.
is in

You

notice the

word

"

maximum"

italics in

my penultimate paragraph. Although the Royal Navy and Army Boxing Association lays down this scale as the maximum, they are not anxious
to see
it

For a reason.

enforced on

all

occasions.

In

fact,

they wish

gradually to wean the soldier from the habit of looking to the money aspect of the ring. And the great
majority of regiments have already done this weaning. More and more is it the custom for prizes to

medals of little intrinsic value. This an infantry brigade stationed in the South year of England the four regiments composing it gave no money prizes whatsoever at their respective regimental tournaments, and the entries numbered 120, In my own regiment which, through 60, 56, and 52. stationed in India, did not come under the being
consist only of
in

204
association
it

THE COMPLETE BOXER

till

after those serving at

home,

found

altered scale of prize-money

was wonderful how soon the men accepted the and how little it affected This was all the more remarkable as at the entries. time we were stationed at Bombay, where good men could fight in civilian contests, whose losing end was
very

many

times greater than the

first

prize in our

regimental competitions. After all, the spirit of money-making in the army boxer was very largely the fault of the same spirit
of gain in regimental boxing clubs, who hoped to outbid each other for the presence of star men and

consequent heavy gates. In fact, I think now

it

can be said that no

man

steps into the ring with less mercenary thought than the soldier.

For purposes of determining prize-money, tournaments are divided into the following classes
:

CLASS A.
B.
C.

Ship, or battalion of infantry, or its equivalent. Fleet of 5000 or under, or a brigade or its equivalent. Fleet of between 5000 and 10,000, or a force between a

brigade and a division.

D.

OPEN.

Fleet of over 10,000, or a division. Royal Navy and Marines, Army or Royal

Navy and Army.

each of these classes the maximum amount of money prizes is laid down in both open and novice
in

And

competitions, and it varies with the number of entries. To give the whole scale of prizes is unnecessary,

but an example
unlikely to

will

make

it

clear that the soldier

is

buy himself out and retire to a cosy little his ring-winnings even if the maximum pub with
prize-money
is

given.

MILITARY BOXING
Take
the case of a

205

man winning

a novice com-

petition open to his brigade for which twenty-three of his fellows also enter. Then forty-five shillings will

be the
get

maximum And thirty.

prize-money, of which he will only that competition will be of a class

too.
It will

that will take

some winning

be open to

any of three thousand men a competition as a soldier.

who have

not actually

won

The maximum money

ships open
to the

allowed in the championif

whole of both services

there are

over thirty-two entries is only 124 shillings, of which the winner only takes ^4, 2s. 8d, while the maximum for a regimental novice competition of two entries is
only

There is a similar scale for contests. next step taken by the R. N. & A. B. A. was the shortening of contests to a maximum of half45.

The

a-dozen rounds.

The
principle

limitation of the

duration of contests as a

making

for the betterment of the sport

need

Indeed, as we have seen by scarcely be laboured. the imposition of a limit at ''The Ring," the principle has commended itself to professional circles, where,
limitations to

recognized that there are endurance, and that if boxing is to be always merry and bright, and long, dismal expositions of the art of clinching are to be avoided, then bouts of from six to ten rounds are the only
as
in

the services,

it

is

human

contests in which these results will be obtained.

services
stickle

The

for

six

believe that ten rounds

rounds, not because they are outside the capacity of

the better class boxer

is

but because the service

man
to

a sailor or soldier

first,

and the time necessary

206

THE COMPLETE BOXER

the training of a ten-rounds boxer cannot be spared from the duties which his service career involves. And in practice it is found that for the majority of boxers a four-round contest ensues the best fight. Only the exceptionally good bruisers who have already won their spurs and proved their worth to the hilt say a champion are able, as a rule, to put up a satisfactory six-round fight. The association, then, issued a list of referees who belonged to one or other of the services and whose capabilities they guaranteed, and they stipulated for officers as referees and judges in all tournaments held under their auspices. This item on its programme will perhaps arouse more criticism than either of the others. It may be said, and very truly, that there are plenty of good
civilian referees

who

are only too willing to help the

sport in the

very truly, vacate their places in the referee's chair in favour of Mr. Corri, Mr. Scott, and a score of other well-known
arbiters
If

navy and army. It may be said, also that a good many officers would willingly

who might be mentioned. Great Britain were Great Britain only and not the British Empire, the needs of the navy and army It is not. might very well be met by civilian referees.

The

soldier serves half his service at

home, the

sailor

scarcely a tenth of it. National Sporting Club

One
from

cannot

'phone
or

the the

Peshawar

from Tientsin. The regiment that Sportsman abroad must take its referees and judges with goes and if it takes officers who have never served in it
;

"

"

either capacity at

home, then the career of

its

boxing

MILITARY BOXING
club will

207

an end within a very few months of leaving the troopship. That is one side of the
to
officer referee question.

come

Another, and
the

it

applies to every sport,

is

that the

more active the interest an officer takes more keen will his men become. The

in

a sport

officer

who

occupies the arbiter's chair, with a knowledge of the game that is patent to all observers, has established
the

men

same bond of sympathy between himself and his that exists between the officer and private who

shove together in the pack, who run together between the stumps, or who pass together on the wing of an " " army Soccer eleven. He establishes a trust and
faith that,

when

the day comes, will take his men,

if

the needs be, to Hades for him and for the Empire that he and they represent. That is the reason why the association advocate to-day the necessity of officers as judges and referees.

But just as they must be good officers if they are to lead, so they must be practical judges if they are to judge therefore it is imperative that not one or two
;

but every officer in the services should fit himself to act as arbiter in the pastime which the Army Council

has recognized as a most important factor

in the train-

ing of British sailors and soldiers. At the present day every regiment in the army, at home and abroad, belongs to the association, fights under its rules, and accepts its laws in both I think boxing in the army has letter and spirit.

never been in a more flourishing state than in this I believe that there is no year of grace. regiment
that hasn't
its

boxing

club,

and that certainly

in

most

208
cases,
I

THE COMPLETE BOXER

think in
all,

the

men and regarded

I

these clubs are well supported by as a most excellent thing by

the officers.
of
is

have been told by an officer who is certainly qualified to know, that the average number
actually fight during a year in a regiment certainly not less than 200. And the standard is getting better too. Not so

men who

much do I mean more able to hold

that the star

their

men

in the

own

in the civilian ring

army are when

they retire, although I think that too is the case, but the standard throughout the service is improving.

The form at regimental tournaments tournaments has improved vastly.

or garrison

And army
more
like

boxing now
sees

is

clean, straight fighting,

at

what one
butting,

the

inter-'varsity

or

public schools championships.

clinching,

One seldom
knee,

sees

any

holding,

elbow or

wrist-

hitting, glove-holding,

nerve-gouging or any other of

the innumerable dirty tricks that are practised by lowclass pro's.

no reason why the soldier should not shine in even the upper circles of boxing. He is for his physique when he enlists, which he does picked very young, his surroundings and mode of life are
is

There

exceptionally healthy, every facility consistent with the efficient carrying out of his military duties is given him for training, and while the latter may interfere

with the routine of the most vigorous training, still I believe they are in themselves an aid to it. Sayers

used to walk to Edinburgh and back before his fights, so a field-day or route-march must be good for
condition.

MILITARY BOXING
Of

209

sailor

course, to a certain extent, the soldier and have already made their names famous in the No history of boxing would be complete without ring. " " notice of Tiger Smith, Corporal Sunshine, Gunner Moir, or Bombardier Wells, to name but a few of our shining lights but I must say I look forward to the day when any man who can win at Aldershot will be good enough to win anywhere, and soldiers' names will be found enrolled on the list of world champions.
;

CHAPTER XVII

REGIMENTAL^ BOXING CLUBS AND MILITARY BOXING TOURNAMENTS

"
will

Now, Costa, let us go into the show you what a glorious thing

tents
it is

and put on the

be

gloves,

and

to

alive, brother."

BORROW, Lavengro.
successes that

may have been won by

ANY
may
hear

soldiers

entries
of,

the ring, any record number of for the service championships one
in

or,

one may almost

say,

any keenness

shown by
the
"

the soldier in the matter of boxing, are due It is they who are to the regimental boxing clubs.
"
:

it is fons et origo virtutis they who encourage the shy recruit to put on the gloves, pick out the most likely ones from each batch and, while by no means

neglecting the remainder, specially coach and bring them out till their shyness is dissolved into the quiet self-confidence of the man who knows that he can

take care of himself between the ropes, and their wild swings are turned into clean, straight, well-timed and
well-judged punches.
It is

they

who send

this pick of the recruits

trial

in

a regimental novice's competition, and by tactful but firm refereeing impress more deeply on their minds the truth that they have inculcated in their training

A RIGHT HAND CROSS-COUNTER THE MEANS MOST COMMONLY EMPLOYED FOR A KNOCK-OUT. IN THIS INSTANCE THE BLOW IS MADE EASIER BECAUSE THE BOXER ON THE LEFT HAS LED OFF WITH HIS LEFT FOOT CROOKED; AND HIS ARM THEREFORE GOES VERY WIDE OF ITS MARK
:

(see pages 53

and 80)

BOXING CLUBS AND BOXING TOURNAMENTS

instant disqualification in service boxing.

1 1

from the beginning that intentional fouling leads to

they who find, and when found infuse with enthusiasm, the raw material, which may become anything from a boxer at a novice competition and In fact
it is

some men gamely enter again and again and never get beyond this to a service champion. So let us start with them, for without them we are
lost.

for years.

All regiments have boxing clubs and have had them They are controlled by an officer, assisted

as a general rule, which should be universal, by a Now the personel of this committee has a committee.

very marked effect on the boxing of the regiment for good or ill. The majority of its members are especially chosen as being in close daily touch with the boxers, and those who might be boxers with enIn fact they are usually privates picked couragement.

and keenness. It is on these members of the committee that the club relies for the personal appeal and homely persuasions that no one else can give.
for their
intelligence, tact,

now, you ought to box. There's old Green of C just gone and won a blooming Nosey pot and 'e wouldn't join the club last year, like you
' '

"

Come

now.

Said 'e couldn't box. And now look at im. And 'e with not 'alf your reach." This committee is formed of a general and executive committee, of which the former includes
J

the

latter.

The
and a

general committee

is

composed of a president
of

vice-president, both

whom

are officers,

212

THE COMPLETE BOXER

officer

non-commissioned

usually

sergeant

to

represent the regiment, and a representative from companies or squadrons. The executive committee is formed of the first
three of these.

committee that the control of they who arrange and carry select the regimental team elect out meetings members to the club have control of the club room appoint the instructor and take action in the event of unsportsmanlike behaviour or misconduct.
It is

on the

latter

the club devolves.

;

It is

As

said

before, the functions of the

general

committee are more of a personal nature. They are responsible for any company boxing arrangements there may be gloves, punching balls, etc., kept in and belonging to the company alone for the purpose of a few minutes' practice when perhaps the club is shut they, by precept and example, preach the joy of the ring and urge men to join the club, and having joined to enter for meetings, and hold up the best standards of boxing as those to be followed. Now we come to the question of whether only a chosen few or any boxing man in the regiment should Both methods have advantages. belong to the club. The former has the great one that from selection comes ambition to belong to the club it becomes an honour to do so. There are also certain advantages to be got out of the club in which only members
: :

partake.

For

room and

instance, free tuition, use of the club gear, and admission to meetings.

But, on the other hand, I like to think of the club as open to all and caring for them from their first

BOXING CLUBS AND BOXING TOURNAMENTS

donning gloves, not only taking them up when they have proved their worth. Tuition and the use of the club room are even more important to the beginner
than to the expert. As a rule there

boxing

clubs.

no subscription to regimental They can easily be made self-supis

porting from the sale of seats at meetings, but I am not sure that it is for their good that they should be As a rule a meeting should pay its way, but it so. is often advisable to hold a small meeting say, for company novices for which it hardly seems fair to

charge entrance.

room has usually, like the impoverished gentleman's furniture, "a double debt to pay." If not "a bed by night, a chest of drawers by day," at any rate it was usually designed for some more purely
club
military purpose than a

The

boxing room.

Generally

its

real object is to be a drill shed, and it is only pressed into service as the boxing room in its leisure moments.

And

then one

is

never certain.

remember one
to be postponed

terrible occasion

when a meeting had

on the day on which it was to be held, because our room was suddenly wanted for some men marching
through the station to sleep in. Of course it must be fitted up with the correct paraphernalia. A ring, at least one punch-ball, skippingropes, Indian clubs, dumb-bells, gloves, embrocation,

a weighing machine, etc. Naturally there must be a storeman in charge of all this kit, to see that it is kept in good repair, and that the room is kept clean. If the shed is sufficiently convenient it can be used

214

THE COMPLETE BOXER

anything else
it

for novice tournaments, but for

is

borrow the Garrison Gymnasium. There must be an instructor. He should be good-tempered, popular, able to impart what he I knows, and above all an absolutely clean fighter.
better to

fancy a

is about as good an inhas-been structor as can be got, one not past his prime, but who does not actually fight, or at any rate not so

good

"

"

as to interfere with his duties.

see no reason
corps.

why

he should not be found

cheaper than engaging a
likely
pupils.

in the

It will

civilian,

and he

will

be be more

to

impart the lesson of clean fighting to his

soldier

The
trained.

And

generally steps into the ring well it is condition that tells as well in

blow that will taking punishment as in lasting. send an untrained man to sleep will not make one
in

Now the reason for this hard condition grunt. excellent condition of the soldier is two-fold. He is
keen and
reason.

he

starts

half-trained.

That's the

real

The

swell civilian bruiser,

who spends

his

time between his occasional appearance in the ring in a most dissipated life (what time he is not writing
to the papers explaining that,

"dead game sport" as

he

is, he cannot possibly look at any challenge whose losing end doesn't touch a few thousand), has naturally to undergo a very vigorous preparation. He has to off a vast of bad tissue, and supple and harden get

himself

all

over.

Not so the

soldier.

He may just
At any time

have come off manoeuvres when he goes into training, and if he's not as hard as steel and supple as whipcord
then
it's

not the fault of their managers.

BOXING CLUBS AND BOXING TOURNAMENTS

of the year he
is

doing route-marches, or training of

:

some kind that exercises his muscles. He goes to bed early and gets up early he eats good, solid, wholesome food, nourishing and digestible he is out in the open air most of the day, and his windows are open
:

Great care is taken about his sanitation and his health he cannot drink immoderately or he would not be able to carry out his marches. Now, if you consult any expert on training or read any work on the subject, you will find that these are
if

he

is

indoors.

the things they lay greatest stress on.

So if one starts training already half-trained, one must certainly have a shade the best of the weights. I remember reading in an old book on sports very elaborate directions for training. This training was for rowing, which even now is strenuous, but in those Howdays appeared to be little short of barbarous. ever, it was not the vigour of the directions that
struck

me
I

so

much
so,

much ab
least

initio.

as the fact that they begin so very They took the extreme case (at

hope

even

graduate who had

delirium tremens
eight.

those days) of an underrecovered from an attack of just

in

and wished

to

row

in

his college

forget the exact instructions, but remember they laid great stress on the necessity of beginning very In this Festine lente was their watchword. slowly.
I

case, for the first

killing

few days, ten minutes' gentle snakeoar's

I

on the walls of the wishful would have been ample for a start,

"bedder"
;

consider

but

if

my memory serves me

aright, the directions did not

that.

begin until a stage or two after

216

THE COMPLETE BOXER

see
it

So you when you

start

you are training how vigorous a course you

fit

rather depends on

how

need do. For the soldier who is doing his daily work, and is going to the club room with some regularity two or three times a week just for the fun of the thing

punch the ball, or swing the clubs, three or four weeks is really ample time for him to get into hard condition for an ordinary three two-minute round competition. It can be done in less, but it is
best to take training slowly, I think. Of course for a big meeting or longer contest,

to spar or

longer will be necessary. About diet. The food the

men get (wholesome, once cooked meat, vegetables, tea, bread, etc.) is The only thing is to avoid very suitable for training. and fatty foods, but a man in training can starchy
easily arrange to swop his share of potatoes, fat, etc., for greens and lean meat. should avoid bread as

He

as possible, unless he can arrange to get it toasted at the cook-house, but I'm afraid that the

much

good nature of not many company cooks

that.

will

run to

He should avoid too great quantities of the strong barrack-room tea. If he must have something to stay his inner man after his evening's work in the club room, or on the track, and cannot arrange to keep back some of his dinner, he should beware of the majority of the tempting delicacies offered on the coffee-shop bar. They are doubtless very seductive, but not good for training. But he can usually get a wholesome supper there, if he makes up his mind to avoid the more fancy dishes. Some

BOXING CLUBS AND BOXING TOURNAMENTS

regiments

make

men

in training,

special arrangements for suppers of even to paying for them.

of the " pop 'V which, with strong sweet tea, has largely taken the place of the old soldiers' beer and lots of it.

He

should avoid too

much

large glass of the latter a day, or even two,

I

does no harm.

grown man who is accustomed to using tobacco regularly to knock it off suddenly altogether does more harm than good. But the young soldier and the man who only smokes

About smoking.

think that for a

can certainly stop it with advantage. stick to a pipe. Anyhow Cigarettes, especially the cheaper brands, are the devil for training.
occasionally
is out training (I the morning he cannot do any, at any rate before lunch, but the exercise he gets

If the About work. mean military training) all

soldier

do him good. He should remember to put his back into everything he does, from sloping arms to carrying coal, if he wishes to utilize his duties to help him in his training. A former champion of England attributed the terrible punches he was wont to deal
will

out to his opponents in the ring very largely to the muscles he had developed when throwing bricks to a

mate

former profession of brick-layer. The custom of striking men off duty for training purposes is dying out, as it is recognized that it is
in his

against the spirit of service athletics as And I against that of service efficiency.

much as remember

once seeing a football team strolling round barracks in the early morning in India (where that time and the evening are the only two periods of the day during

218

THE COMPLETE BOXER

which training can be done) having been excused a route-march on the ground that they were training. And yet they meant no harm by it and certainly not to shirk. Only it had not struck them that a routemarch would probably be better for their training
than their morning
If
stroll.

merely on a parade or two during the he can manage a sharp walk, finishing with morning a few fast bursts on the track just to open his pipes, or a run, or ten minutes with the punch-ball or the clubs or the skipping rope or merely a little shadow fighting, sandwiched in between his parades. He will have to put in most of his work in the
is

he

afternoon.

After dinner and half-an-hour's or an hour's rest he can go for a walk or run, its length and speed depending on the stage of the training. long fast run is not good even in the more advanced stages it binds

the muscles of the legs and makes one slow in footMuch better is a walk with occasional hundred work.

yard bursts at top speed. Then he will go to the club room and put in an hour or two's real hard work. Five minutes with the instructor practising his weak blows and guards, a
sharp spar with a comrade, a round with the ball or skipping rope, shadow fighting, a sponge down followed by a vigorous rub with a harsh towel and
afterwards with embrocation
or any of these all, have a great tendency to may A man has a good practise only their good punches. hook to the body. Straightway he spends all right his time practising it on ball and man until the whole
;

be indulged

in.

Men

BOXING CLUBS AND BOXING TOURNAMENTS

regiment knows about Dash and his right to the body, and he is very lucky if he is given a chance to bring it off in a competition besides having wasted much valuable time in practising a thing he was already good at, when he would have been much better employed strengthening some weak joint in his armour a poor straight left, faulty foot-work, a slow slip, or what not.
;

Training abroad
fied

is

of necessity

somewhat modi-

In Gibraltar, Malta, and, to a less extent, South Africa, very much the same routine can be carried out. But in India the case is different,

by the climate.

and training varies with the

station, the only general

rule being that, the climate being more trying and the food less nourishing, a man cannot stand the

same vigorous
reason.

Exactly the same is preparation. seen in racehorses in the country and for the same
In the plains in the hot weather very little can be done. team going up for a tournament in a hill-

station in the
its

hot weather

will

probably

have to

has begin lain unclothed and sweating at every pore under a punkah all day, one cannot do very much work in the evening without taking too much out of oneself. In a good plain station in the winter much more can be attempted, but one must remember that it
training in the plains.
is

And when one

hot at any rate in the middle of the day and the food less nourishing than at home, so not even
still

then can too much be attempted without staleness as

the result.

In the
arrival.

hills

This

more can be done, but not on first is where a lot of boxers make a

220
mistake.

THE COMPLETE BOXER

They come up from the plains in the hot and at once feel the exhilaration of the hills, weather, and attempt too much. They forget that neither their lungs nor their insides are yet accustomed to the difference in the density of air and the climate.
way they gasp for breath but in a few days they master that, and then find that by over-exerting themselves they have put their insides out of order, and they will be lucky if they get them right again by the tour-

They

are surprised at the

after their first run,

nament.
meetings in a regiment should be frequent, bright, and give classes for all. Frequent, to prevent the idea of boxing from slipping out of the men's heads bright, to encourage many to enter and all to attend and give classes for all, because that is

Boxing

the intention of service boxing. The next step upwards is garrison meetings, then

command, then army and navy and any championships.

The organizers of each of these classes of meetings as a rule agree to give a portion (25 per cent, or less) of their profits to the R. N. A. B. A. if they are a

&

financial success,

in return for
if

which the association

guarantee their losses

they are a financial failure.

At any
seen,

of these meetings good fights may be though not always the pleasantest to watch at

the biggest meetings.

have seen a couple of 9 stone novices who had been at the game a few months, but who had only been thoroughly grounded in the first essentials of it
I

during that time, put up a fight that everyone said

(3
H-)

CO

H is W iS O
OH

O
7}

s H ^2 S

Is
I
^2

BOXING CLUBS AND BOXING TOURNAMENTS

221

was a treat to see. At each other they went hammer and tongs, pincers and nails. The nicer subtleties of the game were not for them, but they had learnt by heart the straight left and the straight right, and they kept plugging these two in as fast as they could. Occasionally they remembered that their instructor had said something about guarding, so they guarded
;

but only occasionally.

And
seen.
I

instructive,

well thought-out fights

in

may be

remember

the finals of the heavies at

the All- India Championship of 1909 seeing Private Clohessy, The Royal Munster Fusiliers, take on

Bombardier Wells, who was beaten the other day by The Fusilier looked the French crack Carpentier. to be giving away a tremendous amount in height and reach but to have the better of his man in weight. Wells had not furnished then as he has now, and I overheard someone looked short of a rib. say that it looked like a fight between a barrel and a hop-pole. Both men had evidently made up their minds as to their plan of campaign, and it was extraordinary how steadfastly they stuck to them. Clohessy meant to sacrifice all to get inside the gunner's guard and at those light flanks, which even then it was whispered would not stand too much hammering, or his jaw. He was as tough as oak and knew it, and meant to take any punishment he might get on his journey to Wells' body, and say nothing about it if only he could get He only wanted to get in once. The knockthere. Points he did not trouble about. out was his idea. The Bombardier, on the other hand, intended to rely on his extraordinary reach and punishing left to keep

222

THE COMPLETE BOXER

out,

him

and by stop, stop, stopping him to pile up and win on them. points I do not think that the men had ever met on the canvas floor before, although I knew them both in But they had taken each fact had judged them. measure to the inch and had each determined other's on their line of action. Almost as soon as the gong went the Fusilier
rushed heavily forward, led with his left at the jaw, lunged again and shot out his right with the full
force of the rush

and lunge behind

it.

always appeared a little clumsy in his foot but was in reality by no means so, and could work, move his arms with the rapidity of lightning and the
precision

He

and driving power of piston rods. thing was so quick, especially coming so unexpectedly from so stuffy built a man, that one expected to hear the back of the Bombardier's head he stepped back crash against the canvas. But, no ever such a little, shot out his long left, and by taking him on the head kept his man off. That is the history of the fight. Again and again did the Fusilier rush in with his terrible two-handed punches, now trying one

The

method, now another, but always going for the knock-out and never minding what he got on the No mere ignorant rushing, mind you, but way. each attack carefully planned and thought out in a master mind, and different from the last in all but
its

intention.

And
or stop

each time did the gunner side-step or duck but oftenest stop not very hard, but hard

BOXING CLUBS AND BOXING TOURNAMENTS

223

enough to keep his man outside his tremendous reach and score a point. Never have I seen two men stick so doggedly each to his own plan of action and yet vary it with such genius. Not that Wells escaped punishment often did the infantryman get a blow in, but never with the full force he had put into it. The Bombardier was or ducking or just met the always just retreating
:

other with his

left first.

won on points. But had one of those sledge-hammer blows of Private Clohessy's got fairly home, he would not have done so. A most instructive fight.
so Bombardier Wells
I

And

believe that

course, there is lots of humour in army as in everything else in which Atkins has boxing, a hand. He has an incisive way of expressing himself

And, of

that

is

one's face.
at

often uncomfortably funny if one has to keep I remember once at a tournament held

Bombay between men from the troops that had been brought down there for the purpose of welcoming His Majesty the King on his way to the Durbar, and men from the East India Squadron and the Escorting Squadron to His Majesty's ship, a sailor far back amongst the onlookers suspected the Tommy who was fighting his mate of hitting with an open glove, and straightway gave voice to his opinion. "What abart shuttin' your blooming 'ands?" he
demanded.

Quick as a flash one of the Tommy's seconds took up the challenge, "What abart shutting your
blooming mouth
"
?

APPENDICES
APPENDIX
I

DEFINITION OF AN AMATEUR.
An amateur is one who has never competed for a money prize, staked bet, or declared wager who has not competed with or against a Professional for any prize (except with the express sanction of the
;

Association), and who has never taught, pursued, or assisted in the practice of athletic exercises as a means of obtaining a livelihood or pecuniary gain.

Amateur Boxing

RULES OF THE AMATEUR BOXING ASSOCIATION.

1.

In

all

open competitions the ring

shall

be roped, and not

less

than 12

square. 2. Competitors to box in light boots or shoes (without spikes), or in socks, knickerbockers, breeches or trousers, and jerseys. The

ft.

or

more than 20

ft.

gloves to be of a standard weight of 8

3.

oz.

each.

Bantam, not Light, not exexceeding 8 st. 4 Ib. Feather, not exceeding 9 st. st. 4 Ib. ; Heavy, any weight. ceeding 10 st. ; Middle, not exceeding Competitors to weigh on the day of competition in boxing costume, without gloves. For all other competitions weights to be decided by the Association or Club promoting the same. 4. In all open competitions the number of rounds to be contested The duration of the first two rounds shall be three shall be three. minutes each, and of the third four minutes, with an interval of one minute between each round. A timekeeper (who shall be stationed

Weights

to

be, for
;

Championship Competitions
;

beside the referee) shall be appointed. 5. In competitions where there are more than four competitors, a sufficient number of byes shall be drawn in the first series, so as

'5

226
to reduce the

THE COMPLETE BOXER

may
be,
;

number of remaining competitors to 4, 8, or 16 as the and the drawers of such byes shall not have to box them and in the second series those who have received byes shall compete before those who have already boxed.
case

Byes that may subsequently arise shall be sparred for the specified time with an opponent approved by the judges and referee. 6. Each competitor shall be attended by one second only, and no advice or coaching shall be given to a competitor by his second, or

any other person, during the progress of the bout. 7. In all open competitions bouts shall be decided by two judges and a referee, who shall be stationed apart from each other. The judges shall award at the end of each of the first two rounds five marks, and at the end of the third round seven marks to the better man, and
a lesser number to the other man according to his merits. When the men are equal the maximum number must be given to each. At the end of each bout the judges' scoring papers shall be collected by an
official

appointed for that purpose

and in cases where the judges agree,

their decision, but should the judges disagree, the official shall so inform the referee, and collect his paper, but before announcing the decision shall show the judge's papers to the

such

official shall

announce

referee.
8.

The

referee shall give his vote

when

the judges disagree, or

he can order further rounds limited to two minutes each. Two of the three opinions must agree before a winner can be declared, otherwise an extra round is compulsory. The decision of the judges or referee, as the case may be, shall be final and without appeal. For " attack " direct clean 9. Marks shall be awarded as follows hits with the knuckle part of the glove of either hand, on any part of the front or sides of the head, or body above the belt; and for "defence" guarding, slipping, ducking, counter-hitting, or getting away. Where competitors are otherwise equal, the majority of marks shall be given to the one who does most of the leading off, or who
:

displays the better style. 10. The referee shall have power to disqualify a competitor for any of the following acts For hitting below the belt, for hitting with
:

the open glove, the inside or "butt" of the hand, or with the wrist or elbow ; for striking a competitor when he is down ; for holding, butting, shouldering, intentionally falling without receiving a blow, wrestling or roughing, or for any other act he may deem foul. 11. In the event of a competitor being down, his opponent shall retire out of distance, and shall not recommence boxing until told to do so by the referee. man is to be considered down even when

he

is

on one or both

feet, if at

the

same time any other

part of his

APPENDIX
r

II

227

body is touching the ground. The referee shall be empowered to stop a round if in his opinion a man is outclassed or unfit to continue, and that man shall be deemed to have lost the bout.
12.

In

all

competitions any competitor failing to resume sparring

when time is called shall lose the bout. 13. The breaking of any of these

rules by a competitor or his second shall render such competitor liable to disqualification. 14. The judges and referee shall decide (i) the interpretation of any of these rules ; (2) any question not provided for in these rules.

APPENDIX
WEIGHTS.
Competitions in
Officers
all

II

THE ROYAL NAVY AND ARMY BOXING ASSOCIATION.

and men

will

the Royal Navy and Army Championships be held in the following weights
:

for

Heavy Weights

Catch Weights.
12
st.

Light-Heavy Weight Middle Weights Welter Weights Light Weights Feather Weights
. .

7 Ib.

and under.

1 1 st.

6 9

Ib.

10
.

st.

7 Ib.
Ib.

9 9

st. st.

and under.

METHOD OF DRAWING.
The number
of
2, *>., 4, 8, 1 6, 32, etc.,

of entries in a competition, must be made so by

if

means

not already a multiple " of byes."

For example, if there are five entries for a competition, the number must be brought up to eight by giving byes to three competitors. By this

system

all

byes are fought off during

the

first

series

of bouts.

The
in

best

a cap.

means of " drawing " is, put the names of all the competitors Say there are ten entries, then there must be six byes in

order to bring the total to sixteen. The first four names drawn out of the cap will fight, t'.e. t first v. second, and third v. fourth, while the remaining six will be given byes in the same order as they are drawn.

228

THE COMPLETE BOXER

first
:

There will be no further drawing for places, the winner of the bout will fight the winner of the second, and so on in each series as
ist

2nd
Series.

Series.

APPENDIX
III.

II

229

MARKING OF ROUNDS.
final
if

Contests 20 points per round. Competitions 20 points per round, and duration, 30 points.
IV.

round,

of longer

AWARDING

POINTS.

Points will be awarded for

(a)

Clean
/..,

hits

with closed

fists,

z>.,

either

hand on any

part of the

knuckle part of the glove of body or head above the belt,

the navel.

Generalship. When points are otherwise equal the decision should be in favour of the competitor who does most leading off, forces the fighting, or displays
(b)

the best style.

V.

METHOD OF NAMING THE WINNER.

in a competition the judges of the winner, or otherwise indicate their opinion on a piece of paper. These papers will be collected and handed to the referee, who will himself announce the decision or direct it to be

At the conclusion of a contest or bout

shall write the

name

announced.
VI.

POWERS OF REFEREE.

The
(a)
(b]

referee shall

have the power

when the judges disagree. In competitions (not contests) to order an extra round limited to two minutes in the event of the judges disagreeing.
give his casting vote
to

To

If it can possibly be avoided, competitors should not be box an extra round, especially in the semi-final round of a competition, the winners of which have very little time in which to recuperate before having to box in the finals. " " It often happens that at the end of a close gruelling fight a fourth round is ordered, with the result that the ultimate winner is so knocked about that he falls a victim in his subsequent bout to a far inferior, but

NOTE.

made

fresher, boxer.
It is a good plan to order an extra round when two men have been boxing in an even but timid manner, and practically converting the bout into a bye. if he (<r) To stop a contest or bout in a competition at any stage

considers

it

too one-sided.

230
(d)

THE COMPLETE BOXER

To
stop a contest or a bout in a competition at any stage if he considers the competitors are not in earnest. In this case he will disqualify one or both competitors.

(e)

To

stop a round for any reason in the interests of fair play. will be entitled to deduct the time of any stoppage on this account.

He

name the winner of each bout in a should similarly name the winner of every contest, but in the event of the judges disagreeing, should he find it absolutely impossible to decide the winner of a contest, he may declare it a draw. (g) To disqualify a competitor who fails to immediately comply with his orders. (h) To withhold a prize for want of merit or failure to put up a
(/)
referee shall always

The

competition.

He

(z)

To

genuine fight, give a bout against or to disqualify a competitor with or without a previous caution for committing any one of the
:

following fouls, intentionally or unintentionally

FOULS.
(i.)

(ii.)

(iii.)

(iv.)

(v.)
(vi.)

(vii.)
(viii.)

is down, or who is getting up after being down. Holding an opponent, Holding an opponent with one hand and hitting with the other hand. Butting with the head or shouldering. Hitting with the inside, side, or butt of the hand,the wrist or elbow Hitting or flicking with the open glove,

Hitting below the belt, Hitting an opponent who

NOTE. A boxer must not prop up and hit him while in that position,
(ix.)
(x.)
(xi.)

Wrestling or roughing at the ropes. his opponent against the ropes

Pushing.

Going down without being hit. A blow aimed deliberately at that part of the body over the
kidneys.

VII.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE BEHAVIOUR.

Competitors who are disqualified for committing deliberate fouls, or unsportsmanlike conduct of which it is considered advisable to take notice, will be debarred from receiving a prize, or taking any further
for

APPENDIX
part in the meeting,

II

231
R.N. and A.B.A. Hon-

and must be reported

to the

orary Secretary.

Their names
will

will

or National Sporting Club, or both.

sentatives of the R.N.

be forwarded to the Amateur Boxing Association A Black List and Suspension List

be kept and circulated to all members of the committee, and repreand A.B.A. NOTE. An offender whose name has been put on the Black List will be suspended from boxing at any meeting for at least six months. Men suspended for a period less than six months will have their
the Suspension List.

names put on

VIII.

CLINCHING AND BREAKING AWAY.

Should a clinch occur, both men must break away immediately, and man may deliver a blow without having both hands free. In the event of its being necessary to order the men to break away the referee
neither

should stop the round, and the competitors will not recommence boxing until ordered to do so by the referee.

The referee shall, after giving fair warning, disqualify any competitor who persists in holding, or endeavours by any other unfair means to
prevent his opponent hitting him. In the event of both competitors continually clinching, regardless of the caution, they shall both be disqualified.

IX.
(a)

DOWN.
"

A man

is

deemed
feet, is

"

down

when any
;

than his

on the ground

helplessly over the ropes, />., himself, will also be deemed down.
(b)

part of his person, other a competitor, who is hanging without being able to defend

If

a competitor is down he must get up unassisted within ten seconds ; his opponent meanwhile shall retire out of striking distance, and shall not resume boxing until ordered to do so by
the referee.

competitor failing to continue boxing at the expiration of ten seconds shall not be awarded any marks for that round, and the bout shall then terminate. (d) The ten seconds shall not be counted aloud or otherwise indicated by the timekeeper or any other person, but the word " out " shall be given by the timekeeper on the completion of the tenth second unless the round is up meanwhile, in which " " case time will be called.
(c)

232

THE COMPLETE BOXER

X.

MEDICAL OFFICER.

officer must always be in attendance at each meeting held under the direction of the Royal Navy and Army Boxing Association.

A medical

XI. RING.

The ring shall be roped from 14 to 24 feet square. The posts must be padded, and the floor, if of wood or any other hard substance, must be covered with a carpet, felt, or other soft material.
XII. GLOVES.

Gloves are to be provided by the management, and are to be of the

same

pattern.

Gloves for competitions to be 8 oz. each. Gloves for contests to be not less than 6 oz. each.
XIII.

WEIGHING.

is

Competitors to weigh in stripped or in boxing clothes as they prefer. If a competitor is found to be too heavy for the weight for which he entered, he may be allowed to fight in a heavier class.

XIV. SECONDS.
(a)

Each competitor may be attended by two

shall not

"

seconds."
"

() Seconds
for
(c}

coach or speak to their principals or " claim

them during the progress of a round. Any offence committed by a second may render
a bout or to be disqualified.

his principal

liable to lose

XV. DISTINGUISHING COLOUR.

Competitors must wear Distinguishing Colours.

XVI. QUESTIONS NOT LEGISLATED FOR.

In the event of

the referee shall have decision shall be final.

any question arising not provided for in these rules full power to decide such questions, and his

APPENDIX

III

233

APPENDIX
CONTESTS.
1.

III

NATIONAL SPORTING CLUB BOXING RULES.

All contests to be decided in a roped ring not less than 14 feet

or

feet square. Contestants to box in light boots or shoes (without spikes) or in socks. The gloves to be of a minimum weight of 6 ounces each. Contestants to be medically examined before entering the ring, and to weigh on the day of the contest. Should Bandages be agreed to, the length and material of same to
2.

more than 20

for each or either one inch. be specified. No contest shall exceed 15 rounds, except Championships, which shall be limited to 20 rounds. No round shall exceed three minutes in duration. The interval between the rounds shall be one minute. 4. A contestant shall be entitled to the assistance of two seconds, whose names shall be submitted to the Committee for approval. The seconds shall leave the ring when time is called, and shall give no

be approved and deposited with the Management time of signing Articles. The length of Bandage hand not to exceed six feet, and width not to exceed 3. In all contests the number of rounds shall

of the Club at the

advice or assistance to the contestants during the progress of any round. 5. In all contests a referee and a timekeeper shall be appointed by the Committee. The referee shall award a maximum number of five

marks at the end of each round number to the other contestant,

to each.
If

to the better
or,

man, and a proportionate

when

equal, the

maximum number

a contestant is down, he must get up unassisted within ten seconds, opponent meanwhile shall retire out of striking distance, and shall not resume boxing until ordered to do so by the referee. A man is to be considered down even when he is on one or both feet, if at the same
his

time any other part of his body

is

touching the ground, or when in the

act of rising. contestant failing to continue the contest at the expiration of ten seconds shall not be awarded any marks for that round, and

the contest shall then terminate.

The referee shall decide all contests in favour of the contestant who obtains the greatest number of marks. If at the conclusion of any round during the contest one of the
contestants should attain such a lead on points as to render
it

an

234

THE COMPLETE BOXER

tie,

impossibility for his opponent to win or the winner.

he must then be declared

Marks shall be awarded for "attack" direct clean hits with the knuckle part of the glove of either hand on any part of the front or sides of the head, or body above the belt ; " defence " guarding, slipping, ducking, or getting away. Where contestants are otherwise equal, the majority of marks shall be given to the one who does most of the
leading off or
6.

who displays the better style. referee shall have power to disqualify a contestant for any of the following acts. For hitting below the belt, for using the pivot The
blow, for using the kidney punch, for hitting with the open glove, the inside or butt of the hand, or with the wrist or elbow. For holding,

butting,

shouldering, intentionally falling without receiving a blow, wrestling or roughing, or for any other act which he may deem foul. The referee shall also have power to stop the contest if in his opinion

a contestant
7.

is

If in the opinion of the referee

outclassed or accidentally disabled. a deliberate foul

is

committed by

a contestant, such contestant shall not be entitled to any prize. 8. The breaking of any of these rules by a contestant or his seconds shall render such contestant liable to disqualification. 9. The referee shall decide (i) any question not provided for in these rules ; (2) the interpretation of any of these rules.

CHAMPIONSHIPS.
STANDARD WEIGHTS.
Fly Weight, 8 stone and under. 8 stone 6 pounds and under. Feather Weight, 9 stone and under.

Bantam Weight,

Light Weight, 9 stone 9 pounds and under. Welter Weight, 10 stone 7 pounds and under. Middle Weight, 1 1 stone 6 pounds and under. Light-Heavy Weight, 12 stone 7 pounds and under. Heavy Weight, any weight.

To WEIGH-IN EIGHT HOURS BEFORE ENTERING THE

Any
months
side,

RING.
within six

boxer holding a Championship must defend his

after the receipt of a challenge for a

title

side,

minimum stake of ^100 a excepting the Heavy Weight, when the minimum is to be ^200 a and the Fly Weight, when the minimum is to be ^50 a side the
;

APPENDIX

IV
$o,

235
and approved by the

challenge to be accompanied by a deposit of Committee of the National Sporting Club.

Challenge belts will be given for the above Championships, which for an unbroken period of three years, or won three times (not necessarily consecutively) in order for same to become the absolute

must be held

property of the holder. The holder of a Championship Belt shall not be permitted to enter for another weight unless the Belt he has previously won has become
his absolute property, or

he has surrendered same.

APPENDIX

IV.

CONDITIONS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL BOXING.

Rough fighting will not be allowed. The decision will be given in favour of the competitor who displays the best style and obtains the greatest number of points. The points shall be for " attack "straight clean hits withjthe knuckles of either hand on any part of the front or sides of the head or body above the belt " defence " guarding, slipping, ducking, counter-hitting, or getting away. Where points are otherwise equal, consideration to be given to the
:

man who

does most of the leading off. " " If a competitor is points are awarded for a knock-out blow. seen to be working for a " knock-out " he will be cautioned, and if he

No

does not desist will be disqualified. If, on the other hand, a "knock-out" takes place by accident the decision will be awarded on the points already allotted to each competitor.

The referee may after cautioning the offender disqualify a competitor who is boxing unfair, by flicking or hitting with the open glove, by hitting
with the inside or butt of the hand, the wrist or elbow, or by wrestling or roughing at the ropes.

INDEX
Advertising, professional methods
of,

Corners, 72
Corri,

167-169
134,

Eugene,

178, 179

Amateur Boxing Association,

i43 187

COUNTER BLOWS,
Covering up, 91

78-86

Amateurs,

19,

20

Amycus and

Polydeuces, 4 Army boxing, 194-223 championships, 199, 200 Art and sport of boxing compared,
15-17, 48

Cribb, Tom, 7, 30, 32, 104, 136 Cross counter, right hand, 80
left

hand, 80
in boxing, 29,

Deaths

99

DEFENCE, ACTUAL SELF-, 146-159 DEFENCE, 69-77

2,

Badminton Library,

30

Ball, punching, 108, 109

Barclay, Captain, 104

BARE KNUCKLES,

Diet, 113 Donnelly, Ned, 118, 123 Ducking, 65, 70

30-47

Belcher, Jem, 32, 112 Body blows, 63 Borrow, George, 18

Egan, Pierce, 16
Embrocations, 118
Exercises, 108
floor,

Boxiana, 32, 33 Broughton, Jack, 34

Brutality, 21-23, 26, 27

in

Feet, position Feinting, 85

of, 10,

93

Captains, duties
Cestus, 3

of, 189,

191

Figg, 33

Carpentier and Wells, 172

Championships, army, 199, 200

Public school, Appendix IV. Champions, World's, 173, 175.

Fitzsimmons, 88, 112 Fouls, 7, 149, 150 France, boxing in, 171, 172

GENERAL HINTS,

Chancery, 151
166, 167 Clinching, 92-94 Clothes, 49 Club, National Sporting, 182 Clubs, organization of, 185-192

Changing feet, 88 Cinematograph shows,

48-60. Gloves, 49-5 1 Grace, ten seconds', 28, 134-135 Greek boxing, 3-11 Guards, left arm, 83 right arm, 73

Heart blow, 98

COMPETITIONS, 124-145
Contests, length
of, 39,

206

Heenan and Sayers, 25, 26 Hellenic Studies, Journal of, 3

THE COMPLETE BOXER

Homer, 4
^EFEREEING, 176-183
79, 80

Hook hits,

REGIMENTAL BOXING CLUBS, 210223

3.ight-handed boxers, 144 flight hand at the head, 75

IN-FIGHTING, 89-94
Injuries in boxing, 29 Instructors, 107, 119

Ring,

fitting

up

a,

191-192

Prize, 30, 47, 167

Judges, 182

Romany Rye, The> 18, 154 Royal Navy and Army Boxing
of,

Kidney blow, prohibition

99

Association, 195

Knock-down blows, 133, 134, 139 KNOCK-OUT BLOWS, 28, 95-103

Maeterlinck, M., 24 " blow

Rules

of,

Appendix

II.

Rules, Broughton's, 34-35

Mark," on, 96, 97 Mendoza, Dan, 30, 37

MILITARY BOXING
"

ITS ORIGIN 193-209 Mouth-fighting," 166 Muscular development, 14

:

AND GROWTH,

Sack, punching the, 1 10 Sayers and Heenan, 25, 26, 38, 39 Scientific boxing, ultra-, 22 Seconds, 125, 128, 131-133 Secretaries, duties of honorary, 188
Sentimentalists, 23-27 Service boxing, 193-223. Shaking hands, 57 Side-stepping, 72 Skipping, 108
Slipping, 71
113, 114, 217 Sparring practice, 108 Stepping back, 70 Straight left, the, 61, 62

National Sporting Club, 162-163

Appendix
Nigger

III.
i,

Natural methods,

56

in boxing, the, 23, 170-171

Smoking,
Odysseus, 3 Olympia, boxing
192
at,

10
185-

ORGANIZATION OF CLUBS,
ORIGIN OF BOXING, 1-12

Summers, Johnny, 139

Swinging,
8,

82-84

Outdoor boxing, 17 Oxford University Boxing Club

189-190
Paraphernalia, 186, 191 simplicity of, 48 Position, 52-53 for street fights, 147 Prize-money, 2, 203-205 Prize-ring, 30-47, 167

Thackeray, on boxing, 38 Throat blow, 7, 148 TRAINING, 104-123 for army boxers, 214, 218
for boys, 107 in the tropics,

219

at the universities, 120

PROFESSIONAL BOXING, 160-175

Public school boxing, 27. Appendi IV.

Uppercuts,

8,

81

Weight, reducing, 116 Wells, Bombardier, 172,

179, 221

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