(1893) Spalding's Athletic Library: Boxing
(1893) Spalding's Athletic Library: Boxing
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Vol.1. No. 4. Price, 10 Cents.
Issued Monthly. JANUARY, l.s<>.>.
$1.20 per Year.
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:
corge Dixon and Jack Skelly used the California Glove in their battle at New
Orleans, Sept. 6th, 1892.
:k Skelly writes
New York, Sept. 22d, 1892.
A. G. Spalding & Bros.
.SSRS.
—
Gentlemen I wish to compliment you on the California Boxing glove
which I used in my contest with Dixon before the Olympic Athletic Club members
at New Orleans, on Sept. 6th.
Without hesitation I can recommend it to any boxers, either amateurs or pro-
fessionals, and in my opinion it is the best glove that I ever used.
Yours respectfully, John J. Skelly.
V
A. PERFECT TREATISE ON BOXING, WITH VALUABLE IL-
LUSTRATIONS SHOWING JUST WHAT POSITIONS
TO TAKE WHEN GOING TO LEAD AND /
ALSO IN RELATION TO DEFENCE.
.«^y
.•: .
PUBLISHED BY THE
I
-^^
Entered according: to Act of Congress, in the year 1892, by
The Amebic an Sports Publishing Co.,
__
In the Office of the LiTjrarian of Congress, at "Washington,
iM'
"D
BOXING.
There is no exercise that will so surely cultivate activity, endur-
nnce and strength, as boxing. Besides being an excellent school for
the nerves and temper, it also develops the body, gives symmetry to
the parts, and grace to the movements.
Boxing has been called brutal those v^^ho hold that view
;
look only at the worst aspect of the means being an expert boxer does
;
not tempt one to bully or fight, any more than being an expert pen-
man would tempt a person to commit forgery. Our experience has
been, that the best boxers are generally men of great forbearance un-
der provocation, and we are satisfied that the knowledge of boxing,
renders men not quarrelsome, but forbearing ; for they feel that it is
"glorious to possess a giant's strength, but cowardly to use it like a
giant." It is in many respects the best of all exercises every muscle
;
in the body is used; head, arms, legs and feet are all called into play;
your tools are always with you and we may say that this is the only
; (
exercise requiring rapidity and strength combined.
In entering upon the practice of the "Art of Self Defense" the pu-
pil will be benefited by reading carefully the following suggestions.
Secure the services of an active, even-tempered, companionable
opponent, as near your own height and weight as possible,' and provide
a set of good boxing gloves. In regard to the latter, the white gloves
used by professionals are best, as they are not apt to scratch the face
or blacken the eyes, which the cheap buck-skin almost invariably do iu
heavy sparring.
When sparring always keep the arms in the proper position never;
THE ARM. Tlie movements of the arms, should be light and free"
when not hitting, even then the muscles should not ba compressed un-'
less the blow reaches its mark. Cultivate quickness endeavor to make
;
the hand reach the object aimed at in the straightest possible line
and without any intermission of time between the thought and the
blow. Use the weight of the body as much as possible, in preference
to the strength of the arms. Always get your blow to its mark
1
even if you receive a counter in return; it will teach you to hit quicker
and guard better next time. Never flip or slap. Always hit with the
back of the gloves, keeping the hand half closed.
Do not hit below the belt; it is foul.
4 BOXING.
THE FEET. Without proper use of the feet no person can become
an expert boxer; for^vhen two persons of equal science are sparring,
it becomes more a matter of genera Isliip, than science. Tlieir feet
and legs are used more than their hands, they feint, rush in, strike
and get away, each one endeavoring to out maneuver his opponent
The position of the feet shouW
be as shown in Fig. 1. The lefV
foot should be flat on the ground
Fig.l. and pointed in a direct line with
your adversary; the right heel must be in a line with and behind the
left heel the toe of the right foot should be turned slightly out.
; The
distance between the feet should be from 12 to 15 inc hes according to
the height.
Both knees should be slightly bent, and the right heel raised so
that the weight of the body will rest on the ball of the foot.
To advance, move the left foot forward about teTi inches,
follow with the right at the same distance.
To retreat, step back the same distance with the right foot and fol-
low with the left. The space between the feet should at all times be
as nearly as possible as shown in the engraving.
To avoid a rush, move the left foot about twelve inches to the right
and follow with the right, or move the right foot tlie same distance to
the left, and follow with the left, keeping the feet about fifteen inches
apart, and facing >our adversary. By this arrangement of
steps, the right foot is always behind the left leaving you in
position, either for attack or defense.
In sparring, move cautiously around your adversary. Keep the
left hand and foot in advance, and after delivering a blow, work to the
right, to get out of reach of hia right hand.
THE HEAD. In sparring, the position of the head is very im-
portant ;>til;ould bciicld in such a manner, that it may be rapidly
vlir-own to either side to avoid a blow.
The chin should be inclined slightly, the face turned to the right,
so that both eyes will not be on a line with your opponent's left hand
Keep the eyes open, and the mouth and teeth firmly closed.
Never bite the lips or put the tongue between the teeth.
Look your antagonist directly in the eye, and endeavor to avoid
showing by the expression of the eye and face, when you intend to hit.
A most essential feature in sj)arring, is a well governed "head-
work," otherwise known as ducking. It is an excellt^nt method of
avoiding a blow, though it is generally used for the purpose of conn
tering. They are, the duck to the left to counter with the left hand,
BOXING.
and the duck to the riglit to counter with the right hand. In both cas-
es tlieduck is tlie same, whetlier countering for the face or body.
There are also tlie ducks to the left or right when leading off
witli the left hand. Never duck without hitting; it is dangerous.
Always duck away from your opponent, do not raise your head until
out of distance.
THE BODY. Little can be said in regard to the position of the
body, that has not been already noticed in connection with its other
members. It is necessary however to make as inucli as possible of the
weight of the body in hitting. The blow that is simply delivered by
the muscular action has much less force than when backed by the full
weight of the body. In sparring the body should move slightly with
the arms. Throw the right shoulder well back and slightly sink it,
leaving the left one a trifle the higher. The whole body should be
turned a quarter from your adversary, in order that the stomach and
ribs may be less exposed.
Avoid if possible, close work with an opponent of superior weig}-
AVhen opposed to an opponent taller than yourself, fight at his b'^
FIG. I. FIG. 2.
I 11 How TO Hold The Hand. Shaking Hands.
FIG. 3.
FIG. 4.
,
FIG. 8. .
"olowi
FIG. 7. Left-hand LeXd-off FOR,"
ht-Hand Guard and Duck, and Right-hand Gua,
FIG. 9. FIG. 10.
Left-hand Leau-off with Both Lead-off without
Guard for a Counter. CiuARDING.
FIG. II.
Change the
in Position for FIG. 12.
Left-hand Lead-off and Left-hand Lead-off for the
Right-hand Guard. Body.
10 BOXING.
DUCK AND GUARD FOR THE FACE.
Raise the right arm to a level with the centre of the face, bend the
head forward and to the left, thus enabling you to see your opponent
under your arm. The forearm should cross the face and be thrown
forward to turn the blow.
Fig. 8 Left-hand lead-off at the face without guarding.
Fig. 9 Left-hand lead-olf at the face with guard.
Fig 10. Both lead-off with the left hand at the face without guarding
Fig. 11 The change of position from on guard, to lead-off at the
face with the left-hand and the right-hand guard for the face.
THE LEFT-HAND LEAD OFF FOR THE BODY Fig. 12.
This blow should be aimed at the pit of the stomach. It can best be
done by feinting with the right hand to induce your opponent to throw
up his left hand, thus exposing the stomach. Duck to the right when
leading otf and step in twice the distance of an ordinary step. Be care-
ful to spring back before raising the head.
Guard the blow of your opponent with your riglit arm as directed
for the left hand lead off. Lean forward and slightly to the left to
counter. The movement of both arms must be simultaneous.
LEFT-HAND COUNTER AND GUARD Fig. 17.
Guard the counter the same as your opponent does your lead-off.
The dotted and outline figures Fig. 18 show the necessary chang©
in position, to guard and counter.
RlGHT-L
Boxuro.
11
FIG. IS. ^
ight and Left-hand Guards for the Left-hand Lea.d-off for
the Body.
/'
12 BOXIN».
GUARD AND LEFT-HAND COUNTER FOR THE BODY.
Fig. 19.
The counter for the body executed in the same manner as the one
is
As your opponent leads off at your face, tlirow the head to tlie right
and forward, allowing the blow to pass over the left shoulder; step in
sti'iking for the face.
the left-hand blow at the face when your opponent ducks
To guard
guard as directed for all blows of the left
to the left, use the right-hand
hand, or as shown in the engraving Fig. 21 duck to the right as your
opponent has done.
The figures. Fig. 22 hero shown illustrate the change in positions.
DUCK AND LEFT-HAND COUNTER FOR THE BODT.
Fig. 23.
The counter for the body is struck the same as for the head, except
that the blow is aimed at the pit of the stomach.
^ ~ To guard it use the right-hand guard for the body or, avoid it by
;
springing back.
Fig. 24 shows the change in position.
RIGHT-HAND COUNTER INSIDE THE ARM. Fio. 25.
Guard your adversary's lead-off with your right arm; then with-
out returning your arm to its first position, step in and hit with the
right hand at the face, the blow passing along the inside of your oppo-
nent's arm making a hit difficult to guard. To avoid this blow spring
;
back out of distance, or guard it with the right arm. This blow though
not severe is useful when opposed to an opponent who attempts to
crowd you back.
LEFT-HAJ^D GUARD AND RIGHT-HAND COUNTER.
Fig. 26.
Guard your opponent's left hand with your left, thus turning him
partly to the left and exposing his left side to your right-hand counter,
which should be delivered by stooping forward and striking close
under the arm. In guarding, raise the arm somewhat higher than
ordinarily.
a very telling blow when well executed, and very useful
This is
to oppG^sean opponent who runs to the left when sparring.
To^vLiard or avoid the blow, press against your opponent's guard
and sprinkback.
BQXXNG 13
FIG 21.
FIG. 20.
Raise the arm, turn the palm to the front and move the right foot
back.
RIGHT-HAND COUNTER FOR THE FACE. Fig. 31.
Guard the lead-off of your opponent with your hand, and coun-
left
ter with the right hand at the face. Strike straight and throw the
shoulder forward.
Duck to the stoop forward and aim the blow at the heart.
left,
This blow is seldom used except as a counter, hereafter explained.
LEFT-HAND GUARD FOR THE BODY. Fig. 37 and 38.
Turn the palm of the hand out and throw the blow off to the left.
keeping the arm close to the body and attlie same time springing back.
GUARD FOR RIGHT-HAND BODY BLOW Fig. 39 and 40.
Hold the arm firmly again the side, spring back.
left
Fig. 4i. Change in position in leading off with the right-hand at
ody.
RIGHT-HAND COUNTER FOR THE FACE Fig. 42.
'Uard the lead-off at the body with your left hand and counter for
ce with the right, as before described.
;your oppV^ ''fcads off at your face with his left hand, bend
.
dy forwW^r from the waist, duck slightly to the left, swing the
ide forward and strike over your opponent's arm hitting him on
SOXIKG. 17
FIG. 2Q ,
FIG. 31.
LrEFT-HAND GUARD FOR A LeFT-HAND GuARD AND
^
FIG. 32.
Duck and Right-hand Counter FIG. 33.
TO A Right-hand Lead-off Change in Position for a Right-
AT THE Face. hand I^ead-off at the Face,
and the Left-hand
Guard for it.
FIG. 34.
Double Lead-off ov FIG 35.
T the Face and the Right-hand Lead-off at thk
D AT the Body. Body.
BOXING. 19
FIG. 39.
FIG. 36.
Left-hand Guard for a Right- r»„„^ „ ^vr. r r. ^r.^ at the
Right-hand^Lead-off
» r^ * .
the head.
TO GUARD A CROSS-COUNTER.
Partially withdraw the left hand and turn the elbow up, If don« in
time this will effectaally guard it, and leave a splendid opening for a
right-hand counter.
adversary's intention, duck, and hit him in the body with either hand.
FIG. 41.
Change in Position for a Right- FIG. 42.
HAND Lead-off at the Body Left-hand Guard and Right-
and the Guard for it. hand Counter to a Right-hand
Lead-off at the Body.
FIG 45 FIG. 46
Duck for a Right-hand Stop for a Right-hand
Cross-Counter. Cross-Counter.
FIG. 48.
FIG. 47. Duck and Right-hand Coun-
Left-hand Cross-Countsr. ter FOR TUB Body.
BOXINO. 23
FIG. 56.
FIG. 57.
Getting the Head out of Another Chancery Hold,
Chancery.
BOXIKO.
J
RETREATING. Fig. 62.
right-hand guard tor the face. B. B. left-hand guard for the f?ce. C
left-hand guard for left-hand body blow. D. right-hand guard for
the body. E. and F. left-hand guard for the body.
if there be an opening strike for your opponent's face with the right-
) our opponent leads off with his left hand, duck to the right,
X .-., throw the left arm tightly around his waist, place the left leg
well behind him, raise him on your hip, catch him under the chin
with your right hand and drop him to the ground.
CROSS BUTTOCKS. Fig.'74 and 75.
Throw your right arm around your opponent's neck, swing around,
place your right leg in front of him, if possible catch his right arm
with your left, then jerk him across your hip and throw him to the
ground.
To break the cross-buttock. Put your left arm over your opponent's
shoulder and press against the right side of his face. With the right
hand grasp his right leg at the knee and by pushing with both hands
turn him around to the left.
We have now described all the hits, stops, guards, chancery and
boxing. The following table comprises all the blows, counters
falls, in
and guards, arranged to show plainly the proper guard or counter to
oppose any blow, also the proper guard or counter to oppose the return
of the person attacked.
Opposed to the LEFT-HAND BLOW AT THE FACE are:
1. Right-hand guard. In turn opposed by
2. Right-hand guard and left-hand counter for the face. 1. 2. 4. 8. 9
3. Right-hand guard and left-hand counter for tlie body. 2. 10.
4. Left-hand guard and right-hand counter for the body, see Fig. 281
5. Duck and left-hand counter for the face, see 20.
6. Duck and left-hand counter for the body. 10. see 24.
BOXING.
7. Right-hand counter for the face inside the arm. see 25.
8. Right-hand cross-counter. 15. 18. see Figs. 45. 46.
9. Duck and righl>hand counter for the body. 19. 20. see Fig. 4&
Opposed to the LEFT-HAND BLOW AT THE BODY, are;
10. Left-hand guard.
11. Right-hand guard.
12. Right-liand guard and left-hand counter for the face, same as No. 2
13. Left-hand upper cut. see Fig. 51.
14. Right-hand upper cut. see Fig. 53.
BOXING.
Feint with your left hand, to araw a left-hand counter. Guard the
counter and counter it with your left hand, see Fig, 17.
•Strilve with the Jeft hand and let tlie blow fall short your face will
;
RULES
OK THE
may be, shall be final and strictly binding on all parties, whciher
as to the matter in dispute or the i.-sue of the battle. The referee
shall be provided with a watch for the purpose of calling time;
the call of that referee only to be attended to, and no other per-
RULES OF THE LONDON PRIZE RING. 85
Oil the one side, and the men on the other, having shaken hands
the former shall immediately leave the ring, and there remain un-
til the round be finished, on no pretense whatever approaching
their principles during the round, without permission from the
referee. The penalty to be the loss of the battle to the offending
parties.
8. At the conclusion of the round when one or both of the men
shall be down, the second shall step into the ring and carry or
conduct their principles to his corner, there affording him the
necessary assistance, and no person whatever be permitted to in-
terfere in his duty. *
9. On the expiration of thirty seconds the referee appointed
shall cry 'J Time," upon which each man shall rise from the knee
of his second and walk to his own side of the scratch unaided;
the seconds immediately leaving the ring. The penalty for either
of them remaining eight seconds after the call of time to be the
loss of the battle to his principal ; and either man failing to be at
the scratch within eight seconds shall be deemed to have lost the
battle.
36 RULES OF THE LONDON PRIZE RING.
man who in a close slips down from the grasp of his opponent to
avoid punishment, or from obvious accident or weakness.
14. Butting with the head shall be deemed foul, and the party
deemed to have lost the battle.
resorting to this practice shall be
15. A
blow struck when a man is thrown or down shall be
deemed foul. A man with one knee and one hand on the ground,
or with both knees on the ground, shall be deemed down and a ;
awarded.
RULES OF THE LONDON PRIZE RING. 37
20. The referee and umpires shall take their positions in front
of the centre stake, outside the ropes.
21. Due notice shall be y;iven by the stakeholder of the day
and place where the battle money is to be given up, and he be
exonerated from all responsibility upon obeying the direction of
the referee all parties be strictly bound by these rules
;
and in ;
be called by the party appointed, and the man absent from the
scratch in eight seconds after shall be deemed to have lost the
fight. The decision in all cases to be given promptly and irrevoc-
ably, for which purpose the umpires and the referee should be in.
for any other purpose without the permission of the referee, un-
less he is involuntarily forced out, shall forfeit the battle.
27. The use of hard substances, such as stones or sticks, or of
resin in the hand during the battle shall be deemed foul, and on
the requisition of the seconds of cither man the accused shall open
his hands for the examination of the referee.
28. Hugging on the ropes shall be deemed foul. A man held
by the neck against the stakes or upon or against the ropes shall
be considered down, and all interference with him in that position
shall be foul. If a man in any way makes use of the ropes or
stakes to aid him in squeezing his adversary he shall be deemed
the loser of the battle, and if a man in a close reaches the ground
with his knees his adversary shall immediately loose him or lose
the battle.
29. All glove or room fights be as nearly as possible in con-
formity with the foregoing rules.
MARQUIS OF QUEENSBURY RULES.
referee's satisfaction.
10. A man on one knee is considered down, and if struck is
•
10
BOXING RULES
OF THE
John L. Sullivan writes — "Having been often asked my opinion as to the most
suitable gloves for boxing, I will reply here that I have vised all kinds and makes,
but in the past few years only those made by A. G. Spalding &: Bros., which I
have found to be the best. A boxing glove that they are now making under my
instructions, which they call 'the Sullivan Glove— California Style' lean recom-
mend to anybody as the best that is made."
No. no. soz. California Exhibition glove, with Graham Patent Safety Grip Lacejront
madefrom fine dogskin, stuffed with best qualitv hair. Per set . • •
'i.^''^^
No. 120. Same as No. noexcept madefrom FiM White Kid, Per sei . . ^O.J-o
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