12 rounders/15 rounders that have a different outcome

Thats the problem shorter fights mean more urgency from the fighters,maybe one starts his surge earlier.As you rightly say, it's not just a question of taking away 3rounds.

 

Hagler beats SRL if it was 15 rounds instead of 12. He beat him anyway, but he was robbed.
Hearns beats SRL if it was 12 rounds instead of 15.

 

It's really impossible to say with certainty, but my gut tells me not many would change as far as outcomes are concerned.

 

Totally agree.

It’s already been said more or less:-

A reduction from 15 rds to 12 rds could roughly result in a compression of the same actions, reactions and overall dynamic seen over the original, longer route.

Conversely, an increase from 12 rds to 15 rds might simply see an expansion of the original complexion and result.

However, there are obvious exceptions. For SRL on the comeback, a 12 rd fight was obviously preferable to a 15 rd’r vs Hags - SRL knew that constant movement was key but was also aware he had a limited fuel tank.

With a preset 15 rds, I can’t see SRL or Marv necessarily fighting any differently - the only change would be the extra 3 rds which would see SRL flag far worse than Hags.

An old school example would be Johnson vs Willard. Jess had just one speed but great durability and a huge tank. The preset limit was made for Jess, not Jack. Reduced from 45 rds to 20 rds, Jess fights exactly the same but loses the decision

Finally, some fighters styles and accents are naturally/generally better suited to either shorter or longer distances without the ability to adjust to one or other as and when.

Monzon was the classic example of a fighter whose patient, methodical, signature style was perfectly complemented by the 15 rd duration - just the right amount of time for Carlos to fight his preferred fight and ultimately prevail.