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15x3 minute rounds. Why did they end

Posted: 14 Sep 2023, 11:18
by afcpaul
I thought it was so that the TV could fit a full fight into an hour, with analysis and advertising.
And not for health and safety reasons.
Is this true?.

Re: 15x3 minute rounds. Why did they end

Posted: 14 Sep 2023, 11:57
by JamesPhilips
Yes both correct

Re: 15x3 minute rounds. Why did they end

Posted: 14 Sep 2023, 12:27
by Controversial
A Ray Mancini opponent died late into a fight from what I remember and the governing body changed it to 12 rounds soon after as seen to be safer.

Re: 15x3 minute rounds. Why did they end

Posted: 14 Sep 2023, 12:57
by johnty1888
I was once told that the last scheduled 15 round British Title fight was George Feeney v Ray Cattouse…can anyone in here confirm that?

Re: 15x3 minute rounds. Why did they end

Posted: 14 Sep 2023, 14:03
by Fray Bentos
johnty1888 wrote: 14 Sep 2023, 12:57 I was once told that the last scheduled 15 round British Title fight was George Feeney v Ray Cattouse…can anyone in here confirm that?
I thought it was David Pearce vs Neville Meade, might be wrong though. :TU:

Re: 15x3 minute rounds. Why did they end

Posted: 14 Sep 2023, 14:05
by coneye
It was definetly to improve safety , there may have been other issues took into account , but the feeling was that extra 3 rnds were just a step too far when men were physicly exhuasted ,, there was talk not long after off going down to 10 rnds

Re: 15x3 minute rounds. Why did they end

Posted: 14 Sep 2023, 19:42
by Perseus
I believe the last 15 round fight was in 1997.
Jose Afredo Flores vs Eric Holland in Mexico.

Re: 15x3 minute rounds. Why did they end

Posted: 15 Sep 2023, 04:15
by Greg Houston
Looking at all British title results it would appear that Pearce v Meade on 22 September 1983 was the last one scheduled for 15. there had been several scheduled for 12 before this and the last in a regular run of 15s was Hugh Russell v John Feeney 25 January 1983.

The last one to go the full 15 rounds was Collins v Andries on 26 May 1982.

The first to be scheduled for 12 seems to be Jones v Laing on 1 April 1980

Re: 15x3 minute rounds. Why did they end

Posted: 15 Sep 2023, 05:29
by olij999
Greg Houston wrote: 15 Sep 2023, 04:15 Looking at all British title results it would appear that Pearce v Meade on 22 September 1983 was the last one scheduled for 15. there had been several scheduled for 12 before this and the last in a regular run of 15s was Hugh Russell v John Feeney 25 January 1983.

The last one to go the full 15 rounds was Collins v Andries on 26 May 1982.

The first to be scheduled for 12 seems to be Jones v Laing on 1 April 1980
Greg - don't trust the Boxrec stats re how long the fight was scheduled for, as sometimes the wrong figure has been inputted. Jones v Laing in 1980 was definitely scheduled for 15 rounds.

Re: 15x3 minute rounds. Why did they end

Posted: 15 Sep 2023, 05:35
by olij999
Last world title fight from a major sanctioning body (WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO) to go 15 rounds was https://boxrec.com/en/event/60991

Re: 15x3 minute rounds. Why did they end

Posted: 15 Sep 2023, 05:42
by olij999
Fray Bentos wrote: 14 Sep 2023, 14:03
johnty1888 wrote: 14 Sep 2023, 12:57 I was once told that the last scheduled 15 round British Title fight was George Feeney v Ray Cattouse…can anyone in here confirm that?
I thought it was David Pearce vs Neville Meade, might be wrong though. :TU:
Not clear if Pearce v Meade was schedule for 15 - while Boxrec says it was, see previous comment re the scheduled distance not always being right, and other British title fights had started to be scheduled for 12 rounds before that, so it looks doubtful. Re George Feeney v Ray Cattouse, that wasn't it but maybe you are thinking of John Feeney v Hugh Russell which took place three months later - https://boxrec.com/en/event/45633 - that is definitely the last one that went more than 12 rounds.

Re: 15x3 minute rounds. Why did they end

Posted: 15 Sep 2023, 05:44
by leejonesjnr
I believe that the WBC lead the change to 12 rounds. I don’t remember the details but I’m sure that there were a few issues when it was first implemented and some boxers held WBC and WBA or IBF belts and the discrepancy in rounds caused problems.
It was 100% a safety measure, TV may have preferred it but we’re not part of the discussion.

Re: 15x3 minute rounds. Why did they end

Posted: 15 Sep 2023, 06:20
by Ruthless-RKO
leejonesjnr wrote: 15 Sep 2023, 05:44 I believe that the WBC lead the change to 12 rounds. I don’t remember the details but I’m sure that there were a few issues when it was first implemented and some boxers held WBC and WBA or IBF belts and the discrepancy in rounds caused problems.
It was 100% a safety measure, TV may have preferred it but we’re not part of the discussion.
https://www.legendsboxing.com/post/how- ... %20to%2012.

The Fight That Changed It All
Back in the day, boxing was fought with bare hands and there weren’t very many rules regarding what was later to become one of the most popular sports of all time. The number of rounds was not limited, so the bout was able to go on and on until one opponent was clearly defeated. With that being said, the fights were extremely brutal and there was no stopping the boxers until one was victorious. In fact, the longest match on record belonged to the determined Simon Byrne and James Burke which took place in 1833, lasting 99 long excruciating rounds. To give you an idea as to the brutality of what boxing entailed during those times, Byrne, unfortunately, died a few days after the fight, due to the extensive injuries he had endured.

In the early 1900s, a 15-round max cap was implemented to protect the wellbeing of the fighters, but it did not take long for this to change as well.

‘Going the distance’ used to refer to a boxer’s ability to last in a fight anywhere between 13 and 15 rounds. However, this changed due to some criticism and controversy in the 1980s due to the death of a prominent boxing figure, changing the beloved sport forever.

In 1982, a lightweight warrior named Duk Koo Kim lost his life after fighting against Ray Mancini for 14 rounds. Fans were shocked causing the World Boxing Council (WBC) to take an immediate stance, reducing the number of rounds from 15 to 12.

Although many were upset and did not agree with the change, some studies suggested that there is a greater chance for a fighter to suffer brain damage when fighting for longer periods of time. In addition, 15-rounds are also considered to cause dehydration and overall fatigue because they tend to push the fighters to their limit. Thankfully, there are boxing organizations like the WBO and the WBA who help regulate the showdowns and help keep everyone as safe as possible whether you're in featherweight, heavyweight, welterweight, or middleweight.

Re: 15x3 minute rounds. Why did they end

Posted: 15 Sep 2023, 06:34
by The Gratest
The last World Heavyweight title fight set for 15 rounds was Tyson v Biggs in '87.

Re: 15x3 minute rounds. Why did they end

Posted: 15 Sep 2023, 10:44
by Boxerbeetle
Ruthless-RKO wrote: 15 Sep 2023, 06:20
leejonesjnr wrote: 15 Sep 2023, 05:44 I believe that the WBC lead the change to 12 rounds. I don’t remember the details but I’m sure that there were a few issues when it was first implemented and some boxers held WBC and WBA or IBF belts and the discrepancy in rounds caused problems.
It was 100% a safety measure, TV may have preferred it but we’re not part of the discussion.
https://www.legendsboxing.com/post/how- ... %20to%2012.

The Fight That Changed It All
Back in the day, boxing was fought with bare hands and there weren’t very many rules regarding what was later to become one of the most popular sports of all time. The number of rounds was not limited, so the bout was able to go on and on until one opponent was clearly defeated. With that being said, the fights were extremely brutal and there was no stopping the boxers until one was victorious. In fact, the longest match on record belonged to the determined Simon Byrne and James Burke which took place in 1833, lasting 99 long excruciating rounds. To give you an idea as to the brutality of what boxing entailed during those times, Byrne, unfortunately, died a few days after the fight, due to the extensive injuries he had endured.

In the early 1900s, a 15-round max cap was implemented to protect the wellbeing of the fighters, but it did not take long for this to change as well.

‘Going the distance’ used to refer to a boxer’s ability to last in a fight anywhere between 13 and 15 rounds. However, this changed due to some criticism and controversy in the 1980s due to the death of a prominent boxing figure, changing the beloved sport forever.

In 1982, a lightweight warrior named Duk Koo Kim lost his life after fighting against Ray Mancini for 14 rounds. Fans were shocked causing the World Boxing Council (WBC) to take an immediate stance, reducing the number of rounds from 15 to 12.

Although many were upset and did not agree with the change, some studies suggested that there is a greater chance for a fighter to suffer brain damage when fighting for longer periods of time. In addition, 15-rounds are also considered to cause dehydration and overall fatigue because they tend to push the fighters to their limit. Thankfully, there are boxing organizations like the WBO and the WBA who help regulate the showdowns and help keep everyone as safe as possible whether you're in featherweight, heavyweight, welterweight, or middleweight.
As immortalised in possibly my favourite song about boxing


Re: 15x3 minute rounds. Why did they end

Posted: 15 Sep 2023, 11:00
by johnty1888
olij999 wrote: 15 Sep 2023, 05:42
Fray Bentos wrote: 14 Sep 2023, 14:03
johnty1888 wrote: 14 Sep 2023, 12:57 I was once told that the last scheduled 15 round British Title fight was George Feeney v Ray Cattouse…can anyone in here confirm that?
I thought it was David Pearce vs Neville Meade, might be wrong though. :TU:
Not clear if Pearce v Meade was schedule for 15 - while Boxrec says it was, see previous comment re the scheduled distance not always being right, and other British title fights had started to be scheduled for 12 rounds before that, so it looks doubtful. Re George Feeney v Ray Cattouse, that wasn't it but maybe you are thinking of John Feeney v Hugh Russell which took place three months later - https://boxrec.com/en/event/45633 - that is definitely the last one that went more than 12 rounds.
Yes- I think your right, I’ve mis-remembered.

Re: 15x3 minute rounds. Why did they end

Posted: 15 Sep 2023, 16:27
by jonp
Perseus wrote: 14 Sep 2023, 19:42 I believe the last 15 round fight was in 1997.
Jose Afredo Flores vs Eric Holland in Mexico.
Buck smith fought harold brazier in a 15 rounder that has to be close to being the last one. Not sure on date but it was late.

1990 great call on 97

Re: 15x3 minute rounds. Why did they end

Posted: 15 Sep 2023, 16:32
by SeanBrennan
jonp wrote: 15 Sep 2023, 16:27
Perseus wrote: 14 Sep 2023, 19:42 I believe the last 15 round fight was in 1997.
Jose Afredo Flores vs Eric Holland in Mexico.
Buck smith fought harold brazier in a 15 rounder that has to be close to being the last one. Not sure on date but it was late.

1990 great call on 97
Nov 92? https://boxrec.com/en/event/36448 does not confirm rounds though

Re: 15x3 minute rounds. Why did they end

Posted: 15 Sep 2023, 17:07
by jonp
SeanBrennan wrote: 15 Sep 2023, 16:32
jonp wrote: 15 Sep 2023, 16:27
Perseus wrote: 14 Sep 2023, 19:42 I believe the last 15 round fight was in 1997.
Jose Afredo Flores vs Eric Holland in Mexico.
Buck smith fought harold brazier in a 15 rounder that has to be close to being the last one. Not sure on date but it was late.

1990 great call on 97
Nov 92? https://boxrec.com/en/event/36448 does not confirm rounds though
They fought a few times in 1990 defo a 15

Re: 15x3 minute rounds. Why did they end

Posted: 15 Sep 2023, 17:40
by SeanBrennan
I'll defer to your knowledge here Jon, far greater than mine mate. Learning a lot from your posts, thanks for sharing them.