Boxing Rules of the H. A. A.

Rule 1. In all open competitions the ring shall not be less than 16 feet or more than 24 feet square, and shall be formed of eight stakes and ropes, the latter extending in double lines, the uppermost line four feet from the floor, and the lower line two feet from the floor.

Rule 2. Competitors to box in regulation athletic costume, in shoes without spikes, or in socks, and to use boxing gloves of not less than six ounces in weight.

Rule 3. Weights to be: bantam, 105 lbs. and under; feather, 115 lbs. and under; light, 135 lbs. and under; welter, 145 lbs. and under; middle, 158 lbs. and under; heavy-weight, 158 lbs. and over.

Rule 4. In all open competitions the result shall be decided with two judges and a referee. A timekeeper shall be appointed.

Rule 5. In all competitions the number of rounds to be contested shall be three, and only three, of three minutes each, with intervals of one minute between the rounds.

Rule 6. In all competitions any competitor failing to come up when time is called shall lose the bout.

Rule 7. Each competitor shall be entitled to the assistance of one second only, and no advice or coaching shall be given to any competitor by his second or by any other person during the progress of any round.

Rule 8. The manner of judging shall be as follows: The two judges and referee shall be stationed apart. At the end of each bout each judge shall verbally give to the announcer (or master of ceremonies) the name of the competitor who in his opinion has won. In case the judges agree, the master of ceremonies shall announce the name of the winner; but in cases where the judges disagree, the master of ceremonies shall inform the referee, who shall thereupon himself decide. There must be a decision in all cases in favor of one or the other of the competitors.

Rule 9. The referee shall have power to give his casting vote when the judges disagree; to caution or disqualify a competitor for infringing rules, or to stop a round or bout in the event of either man being knocked down; to decide the competition in the event of either man showing so marked a superiority over the other that a continuation of the contest would serve only to show the loser's ability to take punishment.

Rule 10. The decision of the judges or referee, as the case may be, shall be final.

Rule 11. In all competitions the decision shall be given in favor of the competitor who displays the best style and obtains the greatest number of points. The points shall be: For attack, direct clean hits with the 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 the man who does most of the leading off.

Rule 12. The referee may disqualify a competitor who is boxing unfairly, by flicking or hitting with the open glove, by hitting with the inside or butt of the hand, the wrists, or elbow, hitting or catching hold below the waist, or hitting when down (one knee and one hand or both knees on the floor), butting with head or shoulder, wrestling or roughing at the ropes, using offensive or scurrilous language, or not obeying the orders of the referee.

Rule 13. In the event of any question arising not provided for in these rules, the referee to have full power to decide such question or interpretation of rule.