Sport: Fouls are Fair

Appalled by the fact that each of the four most important heavyweight prize fights this year (Scott-Von Porat, Scott-Sharkey, Sharkey-Schmeling, Camera-Godfrey), resulted in an argument over foul punches, New York State’s Athletic Commission last week adopted a ruling intended to eliminate such argument.

Prizefighters in New York State will be required to sign contracts containing this clause: “It is expressly understood that this contest is not to terminate by a foul as the protector selected by the boxers is, in their opinion, sufficient protection to withstand any so-called low or illegal blow which might temporarily incapacitate either or both parties.” The new ruling also provides that a fighter guilty of a low punch shall be considered loser of the round in which it was delivered.