Posted on

Broughton’s Rules of Boxing

Broughton Rules of Boxing

History recorded the impetus behind Broughton’s desire to write Rules of Boxing was a direct result of a bout he had in which Broughton’s opponent was killed. He defeated George Stevenson April 24, 1744 and beat him so badly, Stevenson’s died a month later as a result of his injuries. Recently, that claim has been disputed due to the fact London Newspapers reported George Stevenson in a subsequent bout with Anthony Jones in 1745.

One theory for Broughton formulating his rules was to regulate the outcome of contests thereby encouraging the support of gamblers, wealthy patrons and merchants. Broughton was himself backed by the Duke of Cumberland (son of the king). Broughton introduced the boxing glove called “mufflers” for that reason. They were offered as added protection to royalty studying self-defense at the Broughton Amphitheater..

Broughton is also credited with introducing scientific methods into the sport. He taught deferent methods of punching such as Milling on a retreat whereby a fighter retreats in position to lure his opponent into a trap. Then he quickly executes a direct counter-attack punch to increase the impact of the strike three-fold.

On August 16, 1743, Broughton’s seven rules of boxing were printed and framed at his amphitheater in London.

1.      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 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 the other.

2.     That in order to prevent any disputes as to 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 texcept the principals and their seconds; the same rule to be observed in the 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 presumes to infringe these rules to be turned immediately out of the house. Everybody is to quit the stage as soon as the champions are stripped, before they set-to.

4.     That no champion be deemed beaten, unless he falls 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 the bye-battles, the winning man to have two-thirds of the money given, which shall be publicly divided upon the stage, notwithstanding any private agreement to the contrary.

6.      That to prevent disputes, in every main battle, the principals shall, on the coming on the stage, choose from among the gentlemen present two umpires, who shall absolutely decided 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.

Broughton’s seven rules were regarded as definitive for about 100 years and they served as “statutes of the Ring until 1838.” At that time, his rules were superseded by new rules, called the “London Prize Ring Rules” that underwent modifications in 1843, 1853, and 1864.

The London Prize Ring Rules also “introduced measures that remain in effect for professional boxing to this day, such as outlawing butting, gouging, scratching, kicking, hitting a man while down, holding the ropes, and using resin, stones or hard objects in the hands, and biting.”

Posted on

The Great Benny Leonard

Benny Leonard “The Ghetto Wizard”

The Roaring Twenties, an era of sports legends like Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Johnny Weissmuller, Bill Tilden and Jack Dempsey coincided with the generation of outstanding Jewish athletes who dominated the sport of boxing. Benny Leonard, “The Ghetto Wizard,” was the Golden Boy in the golden age of great Jewish fighters.

Born Benjamin Lanier in 1896, Leonard was raised by Orthodox Jewish parents in the Jewish ghetto on New York’s lower east side. After spending his boyhood fighting local Irish and Italian challengers on the streets of the city, he turned professional at 15 to earn some money for his family. His named changed to Leonard when ring announcer Peter Prunty introduced him as Benny Leonard and the record keeper recorded it.

After losing his boxing debut by knockout, Leonard made some adjustments in his style and adopted a scientific approach to training. His quick analytical mind allowed him to recognize weaknesses in opponent’s styles and capitalize on them. A student of the game, he used each bout as a stepping-stone to greater learning. Although he was KO’d in three of his first 13 bouts during his development phase, he wouldn’t be KO’d again until his last fight, some 20 years and 200 bouts later.

Like his predecessor and idol, lightweight champion Joe Gans, Leonard slowly transformed himself into a boxing master. Though Leonard’s intellect separated him from most of his peers, his physical abilities were second to none. Sportswriter Hayward Broun wrote in 1922, “Leonard’s left handed jab could stand without revision in any textbook. The way he feints, ducks, sidesteps and hooks is impeachable.“

On his march to the title, Leonard took on many past or future champions like Johnny Kilbane (Featherweight), Johnny Dundee ( Featherweight, Jr. Lightweight), Freddie Welsh (Lightweight) and Rocky Kansas (Lightweight). Leonard’s first shot at the title came against Freddie Welsh March 31, 1916 in a no-decision contest in which Benny could only win by knockout. The bout went the distance but the newspaper writers voted unanimously for Leonard.

Leonard engaged in twenty-five more bouts with two no-decision losses to Johnny Dundee and Freddie Welsh before getting another try at Welsh’s lightweight title. Under the shrewd boxing management of Billy Gibson, Benny now demanded bigger paydays and another title try. He faced off with Welsh May 28, 1917 at the Manhattan Casino for the Lightweight Championship of the World.

Now in his prime, Leonard was in complete control of the action and dominated Welsh throughout the fight. Welsh was down three times in the 9th before referee Kid McPartland finally stopped the slaughter with Welsh was dangling defenselessly on the ring ropes. New York’s Jewish community finally had their champion. Hayward Broun called Benny Leonard, “the white hope if the orthodox.”

 Over the next several years, Leonard continued his winning streak and along the way, knocked out Leo Johnson in a 1918 title bout. A year later, Leonard fought the great Ted “Kid” Lewis in a no-decision contest with Lewis’ title on the line. The fight ended in a Draw with Lewis getting the newspaper decision. Benny also dropped a four round newspaper decision to former lightweight champion Willie Ritchie later that year.

Leonard risked his title several times the following year against the best of his star-studded division. Young Erne, Johnny Dundee, Joe Welling, Ritchie Mitchell, Rocky Kansas all took a crack at his title. On July 5, 1920 Benny was almost dethroned by Chicago’s master left hooker, Charley White. In their rough and tumble battle, Leonard was knocked out the ring in round five and rebounded to have White down five times in the ninth. Benny finally won the bout by KO in the 9th.

In his rematch with Willie Ritchie, Benny was dropped in the first round and came within two seconds of losing his crown. His ability to recover quickly allowed him to come out in the next few rounds and keep Ritchie on the defensive. Once in control, he knocked Richie to the canvas three times before the fight was stopped in the 6th.

In June 1922, in front of 18,000 fans at the New York Velodrome, Leonard challenged Jack Britton for his world welterweight title. According to ringside observers, Leonard was out shined by Britton and losing the bout on points when, in the 13th round, Benny threw an accidental low blow and Britton dropped to his knee crying foul.

As referee Patsy Haley was tending to Britton in the center of the ring, Leonard ran around Haley and banged Britton on the jaw with a hard right and Britton falls back on the canvas. Haley immediately disqualifies Leonard for the foul and Britton retains his title. Leonard’s motivation for ending the bout on a foul has remained a mystery. It’s one of the most disputed and controversial endings in the history of boxing.

The following month, Leonard put his title on the line against his toughest opponent among the lightweights, Philadelphia‘s “Lefty” Lew Tendler. The dramatic confrontation took place at Boyle’s Thirty Acres, New Jersey in front of 50,000 spectators. It was the largest money producer in the history of the lightweight division. Gross receipts were $327, 565 which gave Benny a purse of $101,755 and Tendler $62,000. Fight promoter “Tex” Richard grossed over $90,000 on the event.

Tendler dominated the early rounds and staggered Leonard in the first round. By the third Benny was bleeding from the nose. In the 8th, Leonard caught a left on the chin and dropped to one knee. He barely beat the count and distracted Tendler by talking to him and survived the round. Leonard won the 12 round No-decision fight but said later “ Lew gave him the worst licking I ever had in my life the first time we fought.”

In his second meeting with Tendler at Yankee Stadium in July of ‘23, it was a winner take all affair. With the experience he gained in their first fight, Benny was able make adjustments and control Tendler for 15 rounds and win a unanimous decision. Leonard – Tendler II was another financial success for “Tex“ Rickard with gross receipts over $450,000.

Following the second Tendler bout, Benny had two more non-title bouts and then to comply with his mother’s wishes, he hung up his gloves. Benny Leonard officially announced his retirement January 15, 1925. He had amassed a fortune during his ring career and had enough money invested in stocks and bonds to take care of his family. The Wall Street Crash October 1929 changed all that. It’s estimated Leonard lost several million dollars invested in the market.

In 1931, after a six year retirement, Benny was forced to return to the ring as a welterweight. Paunchy, slower, his wizardry gone, Leonard was still able to string together 19 straight victories against lesser talent before facing off against top welterweight contender Jimmy “Babyface” McLarnin. One of toughest welterweights of all time, McLarnin outshone Leonard in every possible respect. Benny was knocked down in the second round and the bout was finally stopped by referee Arthur Donavon when Leonard appeared defenseless in the 6th.

Benny Leonard retired for good in October 1932 with a professional ring record of Bouts 219, Wins 183 (70 KO), Losses 24, Draws 8, No-Contests 4. In retirement, Benny became a top fight referee. He died of a heart attack reffing a bout at St. Nicholas Arena April 18, 1947. He was 51 years old.

Boxing historian Herb Goldman ranked Leonard as the # 1 Lightweight of all time. Writer Charley Ross ranked him as the #1 lightweight of all-time. Ring Magazine founder Nat Fleisher ranked Leonard as the #2 all-time lightweight. Fistiana ranks Benny Leonard the #2 all-time lightweight.

Hall of Fame Inductions:

Ring Boxing Hall of Fame: 1955
International Boxing Hall of Fame: 1990
World Boxing Hall of Fame: 1980
National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame: 1996
International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame: 1979