Jack Broughton's
Boxing Rules (1743)
1)That a
square of a
yard be chalked in the middle of the stage, and on every fresh
set-to after a fall, or being parted from the rails, each Second is to bring his Man to the side of the
square, and place him opposite to the other, and till they are fairly
set-to at the Lines, it shall not be lawful for one to strike at the other.
2) That, in order to prevent any Disputes, the
time a Man lies after a fall, if the Second does not bring his Man to the side of the
square, within the space of half a minute, he shall be deemed a beaten Man.
3) That in every main Battle, no
person whatever shall be upon the Stage, except the Principals and their Seconds, the same rule to be observed in bye-battles, except that in the latter, Mr. Broughton is allowed to be upon the Stage to keep decorum, and to assist Gentlemen in getting to their places, provided always he does not interfere in the Battle; and whoever pretends to infringe these Rules to be turned immediately out of the house. Every body is to quit the Stage as soon as the Champions are stripped, before the
set-to.
4) That no Champion be deemed beaten, unless he fails coming up to the line in the limited
time, or that his own Second declares him beaten. No Second is to be allowed to ask his man's Adversary any questions, or advise him to give out.
5) That in bye-battles, the winning man to have two-thirds of the Money given, which shall be publicly divided upon the Stage, notwithstanding any private agreements to the contrary.
6) That to prevent Disputes, in every main Battle the Principals shall, on coming on the Stage, choose from among the gentlemen present two Umpires, who shall absolutely decide all Disputes that may arise about the Battle; and if the two Umpires cannot agree, the said Umpires to choose a third, who is to determine it.
7) That no
person is to hit his Adversary when he is down, or seize him by the
ham, the breeches, or any part below the waist a man on his knees to be reckoned down.
