In 1867, the 'Marquess of Queensberry Rules' was introduced to regulate which combat sport?

Published in 1867, the 'Marquess of Queensberry Rules' is a set of rules for the sport of boxing written by John Graham Chambers (1843-1888). The rules are named after John Sholto Douglas, the 9th Marquess of Queensberry (1844-1900), who publicly endorsed the code. The rules are used in both professional and amateur boxing matches.

The original rules mandated the use of boxing gloves and that matches should take place within a 24.4 metre (80 foot) ring. "If either man falls through weakness or otherwise, he must get up unassisted... If one man fails to come to the scratch in the 10 count allowed, it shall be in the power of the referee to give his award in favour of the other man." Each round was instructed to last a duration of 3 minutes, with a minute break between them.

Whilst the 'Marquess of Queensberry Rules' is still adhered to, the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) has added to and updated the rules to suit modern competitions and health and safety laws. A round of boxing still lasts 3 minutes, but the ABC stipulate that a match consists of 12 rounds in total.

Boxing is one of the world's oldest combat sports and existed long before the introduction of the 'Marquess of Queensberry Rules'. Since women were not allowed to compete in the past, new rules have been adapted for female contestants, for example, rounds only last 2 minutes for women.