The Queensberry Rules | Budo Fight Search by keywords Categories - [ All items ](https://www.budo-fight.com/en/news "All items") - [ News & New Arrivals ](https://www.budo-fight.com/en/news/news-new-arrivals "News & New Arrivals") Subscribe! News & New Arrivals ![The Queensberry Rules](https://www.budo-fight.com/storage/media/14095/conversions/les-regles-du-marquis-de-queensberry-6S3Je-card_article.webp) Published on **August 7, 2024** # The Queensberry Rules While it is often believed that the **origins of boxing** date back to Antiquity, with the practice of pugilism and pankration, it would be more accurate to say that it **truly began in 1867**. That was when the sport was **officially codified and regulated** for the safety of both fighters and spectators. Let’s take a closer look at the **Marquess of Queensberry Rules**, which played a crucial role in shaping boxing as we know it today. ## Who Was the Marquess of Queensberry? The Marquess of Queensberry was an Englishman named **John Sholto Douglas**, born in 1844 and died in 1900. The Marquess of Queensberry was not a boxer himself, but he was **deeply passionate about boxing matches** and the discipline in general, even helping to create the first amateur club in England. Some say that his noble status implicitly forbade him from taking part in such a physical and popular sport. In fact, the famous nickname for English boxing, the “**Noble Art**,” dates back to this era when the sport was codified. In a sense, one could say that the Noble Art would not exist without the intervention of the Marquess of Queensberry. ## The Rules Compared to the London Prize Ring Rules Although it is often thought that English boxing was unregulated before the Marquess of Queensberry’s involvement, this is not the case: **there were already rules in place, known as the London Prize Ring Rules** (established in 1743 by the Briton Jack Broughton). These rules were gradually replaced in the second half of the 19th century. Here are the key differences between the London Prize Ring Rules and the Marquess of Queensberry Rules: Relevant Topic London Prize Ring Rules Marquess of Queensberry Rules Gloves Fights took place bare-knuckle. Fighters must wear new gloves. This set of rules reduces the risk of injury and ensures that gloves are not tampered with. Rounds The duration of rounds was not defined. Rounds last 3 minutes with 1 minute of rest between each round to promote recovery and endurance, and to better manage fatigue. This helped eliminate fights to the death. Permitted Techniques Punches and wrestling were allowed. Punches to the head and below the belt are forbidden, as is wrestling. This ensures a safer fight for all participants. KO The end of the round was not clearly marked and was subject to rather arbitrary rules depending on the referee. A KO is declared if the boxer is struck by a powerful blow or is unable to defend himself. The 10-count is also introduced. These measures also eradicate fights to the death. Refereeing The referee’s role was quite limited: separating fighters in a clinch, declaring a KO. No official count or real rules. Two referees are responsible for enforcing the rules and ensuring the fighters’ safety. The 10-second count is made official, and the fight is only stopped for official reasons. This formalizes the referees’ role and ensures compliance in matches. 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