31 December, 1794

. GLASGOW PICAYUNE Sporting Edition | Volume I, Issue I | 31 December, 1794 Glasgow, Scotland: The Royal Explorers Club of Glasgow announced earlier this month that it will lead the charge to revolutionize professional prize fighting. To-date, the sport has been comprised of a noxious combination of ruffians, side alleys and shady confidence men. Lord Acton, REC President, seeks to bring order to an order less crowd by means of applying a new set of guidelines known as the Glasgow Rules of 1794 (Re-printed below). Contests will be uniform as to criteria and fair in all respects. The Royal Explorers Club shall issue World Rankings on an annual basis and shall determine who will challenge for their world title based solely upon those rankings.  Gone will be the shabby days of English titleholders defending their throne against a fishmonger with nothing better to occupy his time on a Saturday afternoon. It is hoped that the English Board of Control will be prompted to issue its own rankings now, something that it has steadfastly refused to do in the past. Acton and the REC intend to announce by mid-summer a group of eight prize fighters that will square off to determine the inaugural World Heavyweight and Middleweight title claimants no later than the end of 1796. A brief review of the top men found in the initial world rankings and the pugilistic landscape as we head into 1795:

1. Daniel Mendoza 23/4/0: Mendoza is the most revered pugilist in the kingdom having held the English title from 1783 to 1792. He and Tom Johnson engaged in four epic battles from 1781 to 1783 that saw the belt trade between the men and are still discussed in the streets of London to this day. Following the Johnson fights, Mendoza defended his crown largely against inferior men until one finally caught him. After sitting idle for twenty-three months, Mendoza stepped into the ring with 300-pound behemoth Isaac Perrins who hits with anvil force but is utterly lacking in all skill. The bout saw the big man bloodied and bludgeoned for fourteen rounds as Mendoza landed blows at will. In the fifteenth, Perrins finally struck home with a mighty wallop that laid the champion low. Within a month's time, the giant lost the belt but Mendoza has not had an opportunity to regain his position.

2. Gentleman John Jackson 11/3/0: Gentleman John came onto the scene in 1788 and quickly became a top man in the ring. By 1790, it was clear to all in the know that he was a serious challenge to Mendoza but the champion refused to face him. Jackson claimed the English belt from placeholder Big Ben Bryan early in 1793 and has since turned tables on Mendoza refusing to meet. The Royal Explorers Club hopes to set the record straight by getting Jackson and Mendoza to square off at long last.

The Middlin' Men 1. Bob Watson 16/2/2: Blessed with a fine record against less-than-fine competition, Watson still has much to prove but must be reckoned with. 2. Tinman Hooper 12/2/2: The current English Champion has faced no one of consequence since he claimed the title from Paddington Tom Jones with a farce decision. His six defenses of the belt have been close affairs of questionable decision against lack luster men. It is well known that few in the prize ring have benefited more from shady dealings than Hooper. 3. Paddington Tom Jones 10/6/1: Considered the finest of England's middleweights by the fancy, Jones has been on the receiving end of bad luck and back room dealings. His fortunes are sure to change with the REC in control.

Glasgow Rules of 1794 To be a fair stand-up boxing match in a 24-foot ring, or as near that size as practicable. The Royal Explorers Club shall handle the collection, disbursement and safe-guarding of any and all purses. Five percent of all purses shall be withheld to be disbursed to prize fighters in need due to infirmity or old age. No wrestling or hugging allowed. The rounds to be of three minutes' duration, and one minute's time between rounds. Matches scheduled for more than fifteen or less than ten rounds shall be deemed non-professional exhibitions. If either man falls through weakness or otherwise, he must get up unassisted, 10 seconds to be allowed him to do so, the other man meanwhile to return to his corner, and when the fallen man is on his legs the round is to be resumed and continued until the three minutes have expired. If one man fails to come to the scratch in the 10 seconds allowed, it shall be in the power of the referee to give his award in favour of the other man. A man hanging on the ropes in a helpless state, with his toes off the ground, shall be considered down. No seconds or any other person to be allowed in the ring during the rounds. Should the contest be stopped by any unavoidable interference, the referee to name the time and place as soon as possible for finishing the contest; so that the match must be won and lost, unless the backers of both men agree to draw the stakes. In the event that both men remain standing at the end of the allotted rounds, the referee shall determine a victor or declare a draw. The gloves to be fair-sized boxing gloves of the best quality and new. Should a glove burst, or come off, it must be replaced to the referee's satisfaction. A man on one knee is considered down and if struck is entitled to the stakes. No shoes or boots with springs allowed. The contest in all other respects to be governed by revised rules of the London Prize Ring.