London Prize Ring Rules
Boxing (also known as pugilism) has an extensive history in Great Britain, where it is considered a noble sport for gentlemen. Boxing has been popular for over three centuries, even despite being outlawed in 1750 to 1788 by the Duke of Cumberland. The London Prize Ring rules were designed for boxing back in 1743 by Jack Broughton.
A Brief Description of The London Prize Ring Rules
While most competitors fought without gloves, using their bare hands to punch, grapple, and throw, the rules also allowed simple padded gloves to be worn. However, no punches or hits of any kind could be thrown at an opponent if their knees or anything higher up on the body were on the ground. Much more brutal than the rules of boxing matches today, they also allowed competitors to wear shoes that had spikes. No strikes below the waist were allowed.
Matches lasted until one competitor could not stand up within thirty seconds and return, within eight seconds, to a designated spot in the middle of the ring called the “scratch line. A draw could also be declared in the event both boxers agreed that there could be no winner. There were no limits on the number of rounds.
The London Prize Ring rules were further detailed and revised twice approximately a century later, and then considered obsolete with the introduction of the Marquess of Queensbury Rules.