BoxRec

Should today's boxing superstars fight 15 rounds like the old days?

Should there be one champion per division now?

What does it takes to get back to it like back in the days?

The new TKO organisation has said it will be one champ and only 8 divisions. Boxing as a business has changed too much I think for 15 rounders, fighters more aware of damage, easier to promote and build profiles with social media and less emphasis on lengthy careers. Fighters of the past didn’t earn the money to have many choices but to fight umpteen times a year, I just can’t see any top fighter doing that. That’s the downside with one champ per division now as most only fight 1-2 times a year so the title gets held up for longer. If they get injured then even more time between title fights.

I can't stand 4 champions per division crap. There should only be one champion per division.

elmersalsa wrote: ↑12 Mar 2025, 21:41 I can't stand 4 champions per division crap. There should only be one champion per division.

Yeah I agree but just saying the downside is fighters today don’t fight that often. The multiple belts is crap too as lots of guys can claim to be a “world champion” that wouldn’t have been had there only been one belt holder or not multiple divisions they can move and down to.

Something got to change. That's why I don't watch boxing at all now. It's a clownish game now.

I wouldn't bring back 15 rounders no.

I could see an argument being made for a Winner Take All 13th round in the case of a draw, but I can't see any good reason to bring back 15 rounders.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑15 Mar 2025, 21:04 I wouldn't bring back 15 rounders no.

I could see an argument being made for a Winner Take All 13th round in the case of a draw, but I can't see any good reason to bring back 15 rounders.

Agreed.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑15 Mar 2025, 21:04 I wouldn't bring back 15 rounders no.

I could see an argument being made for a Winner Take All 13th round in the case of a draw, but I can't see any good reason to bring back 15 rounders.

They are better conditioned than yesterday's boxers. They are getting paid 3 times more than yesterday's boxers. Why they should not fight the whole 15 rounds?

Why the paying customer is the loser in these 12 round bouts? They can fight 15 rounds.

I believe it was put in place after the Kim-Mancini fight. Theory being 15 rounds is three more rounds of head trauma. Trying to be preventative. It might have been either the WBA or the WBC that first did it. I can’t remember, but it took a bit of time before all title bouts implemented it. I believe that’s the story. It was the 80s

These guys, according to science, are better conditioned and better skilled than yesterday's boxers. They make four times the money of yesterday's boxers.

They supposed to be in better shape. They should fight 15 rounds. At least for the big super fights they should. Any other championship fight, should be 12 rounds in my opinion.

Now, if the 4 champions don't want to face each other, there should be a ten rounder tournament to see who's the real champion of the division. Even if the loser of those fights, could keep their titles still. Like in the Carlos Zarate battle with Alfonso Zamora. BOTH were champions, but Zarate proved that he was the best of the division even though Zamora kept his title still. The boxing game gotta do something like that if these fighters don't want to fight the other champions for the title. Let's make some ten round non-title bouts.

elmersalsa wrote: ↑12 Mar 2025, 13:02 Should today's boxing superstars fight 15 rounds like the old days?

Should there be one champion per division now?

What does it takes to get back to it like back in the days?

1. No, they shouldn't fight 15 rounds. The only reason why they would fight 15 rounds is if they got paid more, why work extra time without pay?

15 rounds is more dangerous and there is no demand from TV, promoters, etc. Imagine a boring fight where you realize in the 4th round there will probably be no knockout. You will have to endure another 11 rounds...not good for anyone's business.
15 rounds would only appeal to an insignificant number of boxing historians who long for the good old days. Definitely not for the masses.

2. No again. Though in a perfect world there would only be one champion per weight and fewer weight divisions, it's also bad for business. How long would Keyshawn Davis take to get a fight with Tank for a title, how long would it have taken Mike Tyson if there was only one champ, etc. How do you develop boxing in let's say Germany, Argentina, Dominican Republic if their boxers very rarely can get to world title level?

Unfortunately, the world titles help sell the fights to TV and the general public.

locoxelbox wrote: ↑17 Mar 2025, 23:21

elmersalsa wrote: ↑12 Mar 2025, 13:02 Should today's boxing superstars fight 15 rounds like the old days?

Should there be one champion per division now?

What does it takes to get back to it like back in the days?

1. No, they shouldn't fight 15 rounds. The only reason why they would fight 15 rounds is if they got paid more, why work extra time without pay?

15 rounds is more dangerous and there is no demand from TV, promoters, etc. Imagine a boring fight where you realize in the 4th round there will probably be no knockout. You will have to endure another 11 rounds...not good for anyone's business.
15 rounds would only appeal to an insignificant number of boxing historians who long for the good old days. Definitely not for the masses.

2. No again. Though in a perfect world there would only be one champion per weight and fewer weight divisions, it's also bad for business. How long would Keyshawn Davis take to get a fight with Tank for a title, how long would it have taken Mike Tyson if there was only one champ, etc. How do you develop boxing in let's say Germany, Argentina, Dominican Republic if their boxers very rarely can get to world title level?

Unfortunately, the world titles help sell the fights to TV and the general public.

Yes I agree, 12 rounds is a long time in a boring fight so having to sit through another 3 wouldn’t be great.

As you say one title and less divisions is great in theory, it’s a joke there can be multiple world champions in the same division or a few pounds splitting fighters, it’s also confusing for the more casual fan. But if there was only one champ the amount of title fights would slow right down as fighters don’t fight regular enough and the top contenders could be waiting years for their turn at a title shot, especially if more guys are competing in the same division because the other weights have been scrapped. Also rematch clauses seem to be more common so that can hold things up to. So while I hate the current system it does create more fights and interest. We all kinda know who the top guys in the divisions are and can see through the weaker belt holders. Who really thinks Chris Eubank Jr was the best SMW just because he won a IBO title, probably just him.

It's weird to use Tank Davis as the example of a Champion where less guys would get a shot if he were the 1 and only Champion. Even in a World with 4 World Champions, Davis ducks every meaningful contender.

elmersalsa wrote: ↑17 Mar 2025, 19:01 These guys, according to science, are better conditioned and better skilled than yesterday's boxers. They make four times the money of yesterday's boxers.

They supposed to be in better shape. They should fight 15 rounds. At least for the big super fights they should. Any other championship fight, should be 12 rounds in my opinion.

Now, if the 4 champions don't want to face each other, there should be a ten rounder tournament to see who's the real champion of the division. Even if the loser of those fights, could keep their titles still. Like in the Carlos Zarate battle with Alfonso Zamora. BOTH were champions, but Zarate proved that he was the best of the division even though Zamora kept his title still. The boxing game gotta do something like that if these fighters don't want to fight the other champions for the title. Let's make some ten round non-title bouts.

It's not about whether or not they are conditioned to fight for 15 rounds. It's about the fact that more often than not 12 rounds is plenty of time to decide a clear winner, and 3 more rounds of damage, and potentially life threatening injury isn't worth it.

Expug wrote: ↑17 Mar 2025, 13:40 I believe it was put in place after the Kim-Mancini fight. Theory being 15 rounds is three more rounds of head trauma. Trying to be preventative. It might have been either the WBA or the WBC that first did it. I can’t remember, but it took a bit of time before all title bouts implemented it. I believe that’s the story. It was the 80s

Deep reason that the death of Kim was really an excuse that both the WBC and WBA reduce to 12 rounds and the real reason is they want more money for themselves. You talk about 3 more rounds of head trauma, but today's 12 round fights, certain fighters would still have head trauma before the 12th round or 3 more rounds for 15.

All the minor titles in every division should stay 12, but the 4 actual major title fights it depends unless there is a big fight and make a special sanction to go 15 rounds. For example, I wish the two fights of Bivol vs. Beterbiev would have gone 15 rounds and let see that they were durable enough to last 3 more rounds without any head trauma if they protect themselves on the head. That's my opinion.

Agree. Just putting out what I recall the reason at the time.

scorpio83 wrote: ↑18 Mar 2025, 12:14

Expug wrote: ↑17 Mar 2025, 13:40 I believe it was put in place after the Kim-Mancini fight. Theory being 15 rounds is three more rounds of head trauma. Trying to be preventative. It might have been either the WBA or the WBC that first did it. I can’t remember, but it took a bit of time before all title bouts implemented it. I believe that’s the story. It was the 80s

Deep reason that the death of Kim was really an excuse that both the WBC and WBA reduce to 12 rounds and the real reason is they want more money for themselves. You talk about 3 more rounds of head trauma, but today's 12 round fights, certain fighters would still have head trauma before the 12th round or 3 more rounds for 15.

All the minor titles in every division should stay 12, but the 4 actual major title fights it depends unless there is a big fight and make a special sanction to go 15 rounds. For example, I wish the two fights of Bivol vs. Beterbiev would have gone 15 rounds and let see that they were durable enough to last 3 more rounds without any head trauma if they protect themselves on the head. That's my opinion.

I agree with you, scorpio83. Well put.

These 12 rounds had been very controversial of the last 25 years. Of the last 25 years, I have not seen an era where the paying customer that pays about $100 dollars for a fight or more, to come out satisfied with draws, bad decisions and controversies. Boxing is a joke right now. A true joke.

We used to see fights for free on network television. For 15 rounds!

I am not saying that all fights should be 15 rounds. I am like scorpio83. But, the BIG FIGHTS that everyone want to see, Canelo Alvarez vs Terence "Bud" Crawford for example, should be 15 rounds.

People got to get their money's worth of action. The paying customer is the loser of all these fights of the last 25 years. These guys' boxing salaries are insane. At least they are getting $20 million dollars. Well, if they are getting paid millions like that, they should fight 15 rounds.

These are one of the reasons that I don't watch the sport now. No drama. No nothing. No skill. If people are crying that they should only have 12 rounds with fighters like these, how in the world we are going to rate them with the great ones of the past like Roberto Duran, Muhammad Ali and others?

There are more precautions and protection for fighters now than ever before. So, what's the problem?

If they introduced 15 rounds I wouldn’t be against it for the big fights as mentioned but I just don’t see it happening.

You gotta learn to pace yourself in 15 rounds fights. These guys today are not able to do it. The last 3 rounds is where fighters show the true grit, skills, will, and determination. How bad you wanted.

These guys supposed to be better conditioned. Well fed and with better nutrition. They got better technology. And get paid more money in one night than Henry Armstrong and Sugar Ray Robinson made in their lifetimes combined.

Put ten rounders between the 4 champions, then. To prove who is the best champion of the division since they don't want to fight each other. I have never seen nothing like this in my lifetime. Boxing is a joke! A complete joke right now.

Thanks elmersalsa for understanding my opinion on the 15 rounder fights for today's fighters.

scorpio83 wrote: ↑19 Mar 2025, 17:20 Thanks elmersalsa for understanding my opinion on the 15 rounder fights for today's fighters.

You're welcome, 100%

elmersalsa wrote: ↑19 Mar 2025, 13:35 You gotta learn to pace yourself in 15 rounds fights. These guys today are not able to do it. The last 3 rounds is where fighters show the true grit, skills, will, and determination. How bad you wanted.

These guys supposed to be better conditioned. Well fed and with better nutrition. They got better technology. And get paid more money in one night than Henry Armstrong and Sugar Ray Robinson made in their lifetimes combined.

Put ten rounders between the 4 champions, then. To prove who is the best champion of the division since they don't want to fight each other. I have never seen nothing like this in my lifetime. Boxing is a joke! A complete joke right now.

Why aren’t they able to do it today? If a flabby 20 stone HW like Fury can do 12 rounds and be up on his toes in the 12th why can’t someone a lot fitter than him not fight 15 rounds.

Controversial wrote: ↑20 Mar 2025, 11:19

elmersalsa wrote: ↑19 Mar 2025, 13:35 You gotta learn to pace yourself in 15 rounds fights. These guys today are not able to do it. The last 3 rounds is where fighters show the true grit, skills, will, and determination. How bad you wanted.

These guys supposed to be better conditioned. Well fed and with better nutrition. They got better technology. And get paid more money in one night than Henry Armstrong and Sugar Ray Robinson made in their lifetimes combined.

Put ten rounders between the 4 champions, then. To prove who is the best champion of the division since they don't want to fight each other. I have never seen nothing like this in my lifetime. Boxing is a joke! A complete joke right now.

Why aren’t they able to do it today? If a flabby 20 stone HW like Fury can do 12 rounds and be up on his toes in the 12th why can’t someone a lot fitter than him not fight 15 rounds.

Let see if Fury could had the fight gone 15 rounds. Also, I agreed with you that boxing is a joke as certain fighters were avoiding each other.

scorpio83 wrote: ↑20 Mar 2025, 12:44

Controversial wrote: ↑20 Mar 2025, 11:19

elmersalsa wrote: ↑19 Mar 2025, 13:35 You gotta learn to pace yourself in 15 rounds fights. These guys today are not able to do it. The last 3 rounds is where fighters show the true grit, skills, will, and determination. How bad you wanted.

These guys supposed to be better conditioned. Well fed and with better nutrition. They got better technology. And get paid more money in one night than Henry Armstrong and Sugar Ray Robinson made in their lifetimes combined.

Put ten rounders between the 4 champions, then. To prove who is the best champion of the division since they don't want to fight each other. I have never seen nothing like this in my lifetime. Boxing is a joke! A complete joke right now.

Why aren’t they able to do it today? If a flabby 20 stone HW like Fury can do 12 rounds and be up on his toes in the 12th why can’t someone a lot fitter than him not fight 15 rounds.

Let see if Fury could had the fight gone 15 rounds. Also, I agreed with you that boxing is a joke as certain fighters were avoiding each other.

Why couldn’t he though? He didn’t look knackered, I’m sure if Tony Tubbs etc could do 15 then Fury and others could.

Controversial wrote: ↑20 Mar 2025, 13:56

scorpio83 wrote: ↑20 Mar 2025, 12:44

Controversial wrote: ↑20 Mar 2025, 11:19

Why aren’t they able to do it today? If a flabby 20 stone HW like Fury can do 12 rounds and be up on his toes in the 12th why can’t someone a lot fitter than him not fight 15 rounds.

Let see if Fury could had the fight gone 15 rounds. Also, I agreed with you that boxing is a joke as certain fighters were avoiding each other.

Why couldn’t he though? He didn’t look knackered, I’m sure if Tony Tubbs etc could do 15 then Fury and others could.

Any fighter of today's time could do 15 rounds. We got better technology. Better nutrition for fighters now. Better training methods according to science.

All they have to do is how to pace themselves like yesterday's boxers.

If 15 rounds come back, and one champion per division is established, boxing would be king of the hill again. But 4 champions per division and 12 rounds is not going to make it. Things gotta change for the paying customer.

That's why the UFC and MMA are tops, now. And I don't like those sports either. They are too violent for my taste.