How big would heavyweights be today if fights were still 15 rounds?

I doubt the length of championship bouts effected fighters weights in any significant way.

Back in the era of 1 x world title per weight division, only a tiny minority of fighters were fighting 15 rounders, at any one time. The vast, vast majority were fighting 10 rounds or less. HWs fighting 10 rounds back then still weighed a lot less, on average, than their counterparts today. Those that fought 15 round world title bouts didn't typically weigh any less than in the 10 round fights they contested before and after winning the title.

PEDs, along with changes in training techniques, nutrition and legal supplements, have partially led to HWs today being heavier on average than distant previous eras.

 

I think the 12 round limited was one of the reasons heavyweights jump up as far in weight as they did. I really can't see Fury going a hard 15 at the pace that Ali and Fraizer did in their 3 fights.

 

Why were the vast majority of HWs from the 1930s to 1960s, who didn't fight for the world title and as such never contested a bout longer than 10 rounds, weigh so much less, on average, than the various titlests who regularly fight at 12 rounds in the modern era?

The increase in size and weight of HWs over the last several decades has nothing to do with the scheduled number of rounds. It's predominantly down to PEDs, along with changes to nutrition, supplements and strength & conditioning methods.

 

Many non title fights were also 15, Louis Baer was for 15. I think non title fights were about 50 50 if it was ten or 15.

 

50/50? Factually and demostrably incorrect.

Rex Layne - 70 fights, including 2 x 12 rounders, the rest 10 rounds or less

Bob Baker - 68 fights, including 2 x 12 rounders, the rest 10 rounds or less

Mike DeJohn - 59 fights, 1 x 12 rounder, the rest 10 rounds or less

Zora Folley - 96 fights, 1 x 15 rounder in a world title fight, 4 x 12 rounders and the rest 10 rounds or less.

I genuinely chose a 50's contender boxrec page and then clicked on one of his well known opponents and these were the first 4 I came to, without knowing the outcomes before I checked. We can continue if you insist, but the pattern will remain. The vast majority of HWs from the 1930s to 1960s contested the vast majority of their fights in bouts scheduled for 10 rounds or less. That cannot be credibly disputed.

HWs from around this era are about 40-50lbs lighter on average than their modern day counterparts. How can this be due to title fights being 15 rounds, if only 1 of the 293 combined fights above was scheduled for more than 12 rounds?

Sometimes, when you're so clearly wrong, and it's easily demonstrated as such, you're really best not digging your heels in, because the more you do, the more your argument gets exposed.

Again, PEDs, along with changes in diet, supplements and strength & conditioning techniques have contributed to the increase in average HW fighters weights, the scheduled number rounds in world title fights hasn't.

If nothing else, consider the average weight of HWs when title fights first changed to 12 rounds relative to now. Serious question, why do you think they're so much heavier now given title fights are still scheduled for the same distance?

 

Louis Carnera 15
Louis Schmeling also 15
Charles vs Maxim was 15 with no title on the line, they may not of been as many as a ten round bout, but if your a few fights short of getting that title shot, the odds really go up your fighting a fellow contender in a 15 rounder. Loved Layne, but he was never going to get a heavyweight title shot after Marciano wreck him. I just dont see Fury making it to 15 imo.

 

Actually laughed out loud at these comments suggesting that Usyk, who's shown excellent endurance, and fought to 12 literally countless times throughout his career against very active opponents would be incapable of going an extra 3 rounds. The lack of credit many want to give modern fighters, is laughable.

 

My respect for Greg would have me word things differently, but yeah, I do agree.

It's fair to assume if a guy who more often that not gases over 12 that fighter would gas over 15 but a fighter who does 12 comfortable should be given the benefit of doubt.

It's really about pacing.

 

Hang on. I show you 293 fights picked at random and 1, a world title fight,was scheduled for 15 rounds. 9 x 12 rounds. 283 x 10 rounds or less. And you quote me 3 x fights in response? C'mon, that's such a weak response. You're neither conceding the point nor adequately refuting it. Are you doubling down on your claim that 50% of non title fights were scheduled for 15 rounds, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary?

Why are HWs now, on average, so much heavier than in the late 1980's when title fights were also scheduled for 12 rounds?

 

Swag isn't laughing at my comments, he's laughing at the same comments, made by others, that I'm challenging.

 

Excellent post, but just to be clear—I wasn’t laughing at Greg’s comments. I’m not nearly that bold!

 

Oh dang, sorry Greg!

 

You can laugh at my comments without fear of reprisal anytime you like, Swag. In fact, when I'm making a joke, it will much appreciated. I'm still gutted no one laughed at my massive Dong comment in this thread - https://www.boxingforum24.com/threads/taishan-dong-the-tallest-chinese-boxer-ever.741024/page-2

 

Yes, Vitali was in the amateurs but I wouldn't be shocked if he simply became good at hiding it. I mean his physique was still crazy well into his 40's while also having a very high punch output, which suggests HGH amongst other things.

Ike is suspicious because of his immense muscular weight (240+) with hardly any fat at just 6'2. As far as I know he wasn't a dedicated weight lifter.

 

I find the whole 15 round thing stupid in general like its not even 10 minutes. A well conditioned athlete who knows how to converse energy can definitely do it.