Championship fights: 15 rounds to 12 rounds

[HOUDINI563]

15 rounds was always the championship distance and should return as such. Force those at the very top to come into the ring in better condition.

[billeau2]

15 rounds was always the championship distance and should return as such. Force those at the very top to come into the ring in better condition.

Could not agree more... I would even suggest that by dropping the rounds, it indirectly gives fighters an excuse not to make sure they are in tip top shape.

[HOUDINI563]

Absolutely. Today it’s easy to be called a champion because their can be 5 world champions. It’s easy to be called a top 10 contender because their are conceivable 50 top ten contenders. On top of all of this their is no need at the highest level to come into a bout in the very best of condition as their is no longer the championship distance. Going 15 rounds vs 12 is a big step physically and mentally that fighters no longer need to consider.

[QueensburyRules]

15 round fights are great but if it was done to improve the safety of fighters then it’s a good thing and honestly half the fighters of today are not worthy of 15 rounders and would simply fold.
.
Ali vs Frazier
Leonard vs hearns 1
Pryor vs Argüello 1 rank as 3 of the best 15 rounders world title fights in history and I miss them for sure

- -How many 20 rd title fights was Joe Louis scheduled?

At least a few. A marketing convenience for 12 rds is that it fits into a traditional one Hour time slot with room for commercials.

Plus the fighters don't have to hold back as much.

[Willie Pep 229]

I think the reduction to 12 rounds made Camacho-Rosario a crime. Alternative universe: Rosario by TKO (14).

[HOUDINI563]

True. Others I am sure.

[Anthony342]

Could not agree more... I would even suggest that by dropping the rounds, it indirectly gives fighters an excuse not to make sure they are in tip top shape.

Good points but haven't guys also died in the ring in 12 rounders as well, like that Gabe Ruelas fight? Wasn't that on a De La Hoya undercard? Or should it be 15 rounds again and refs can do a better job of stopping a fight if things get dangerous or even have a doctor at ringside?

[QueensburyRules]

- -Luther McCarty died in the first rd of a 10rder.

He won his title in a 20 rder with many other 20 rders, so no need for forum non experts better suited for shyte sniffing to make like 15 to 12 shift represents some kind of significance other than folks want to ban boxing which had just suffered an international tragedy and chose responsible protocols to stem their critics.

Time for U boys to study up!

[billeau2]

Good points but haven't guys also died in the ring in 12 rounders as well, like that Gabe Ruelas fight? Wasn't that on a De La Hoya undercard? Or should it be 15 rounds again and refs can do a better job of stopping a fight if things get dangerous or even a doctor at ringside?

I think its complicated. A lot of things could be done. Some that you mention above.

[Bundana]

Good points but haven't guys also died in the ring in 12 rounders as well, like that Gabe Ruelas fight? Wasn't that on a De La Hoya undercard? Or should it be 15 rounds again and refs can do a better job of stopping a fight if things get dangerous or even have a doctor at ringside?

You're right - lots af boxers have died in the ring in shorter bouts. In fact, very few fights have ended with a fatality in the "championship rounds" (13-15).

As most will know, in 1933 Ernie Schaff tragically lost his life after being ko'd in the 13th round by Primo Carnera.

But in the nearly 50 years between that incident, and the death of Kim in 1982, only 3 fights that ended in a fatality, went past the 12th round:

1940 - Vic Caltaux ko 15 Stan Jenkins
1955 - Armstrong Janny ko 13 Casino Sawyer
1968 - Carlo Duran ko 15 Jupp Elze

And that's 3 deaths out of more than 300 during that period!

Mancini-Kim was on free prime time TV in the US, and brought forth the usual "Boxing should be banned" brigade. I think the shortening of championship fights from 15 to 12 rounds came about partly to dampen the critics - and partly (as has been previously mentioned) because a 12-rounder fits perfectly in a one-hour time slot.