I am of course refering to the change from the old 15 round distance to the 12 round distance in title fights. Can you think of any big fights, since the rule change, were you were saying to yourself "three more rounds and fighter A would have taken fighter B", be it by decision in a close fight or via late KO. Obviously I'm thinking of close fights were one guy is coming on strong while his opponent is failing badly. I was thinking of Margarito-Williams here; I thought Margarito was really flying in the later rounds and although Williams didn't have a bad 12th I think this was because he could see the finishing line and gave what he had left in the last three minutes. Three more rounds and I believe Margarito would have had him. You more knowledgeable posters will obviously have some better examples up your sleeves. Lets be having them.
lamotta would of outpointed robinson a bit more i feel and frazier ali III would of been a draw or a close victory for frazier.
You got to also remember some fighters have better stamina then others but some that are 15 rd fighters pace themselves for 15 so they could have fought more fierce for12
Hopkins would have won both Taylor fights clearly. Hopkins was a 15 round fighter in the 12 round era, he would have more KO/TKOs when is fights would have went 15 instead of 12 rounds.
Out of all the great fighters who have come in the 12 round era, it was Hopkins who was screwed the most. His knockout percentage would have been much higher.
that was the one i was thinkingatsch holyfield i think would of been a much more dangerous fighter. he tired but never looked truely gassed in fights. holyfields career would of looked a little better i feel
Well, I feel the heavies would all be thinned out. I think Hagler would have beaten Leonard, and guys like Margarito would dominate.
This is a hard one as if the fighters knew prior the whole tempo of the fight might change. Agree on Hopkins tho, especially that he would have had numerous more stoppages. Old School fighter in modern times.
The heayvweights would see perhaps the most changes. Sullivan fails in his comeback vs Jake Kilrain as accouts said Jake had the better of it in the begaining. Of couse this is barekuck. Corbett over Fitz. Corbett over Jeff. With these 2 names in a win list, in a 12 rounder of couse, Corbett's record looks ten times better. Willard Johnson perhaps, Jack retains the crown. Conn beats Louis and wins the title. Walcott over Marciano. Perhaps. Marciano also may have pull the ball of a bit early if he knew he had 12 instand of 15 of couse. I not sure how the Ali Fraizer fights would have turn.
Leonard would've stopped Tommy Hearns in the 2nd fight. It was headed that way and Tommy's leg joints were starting to turn to jelly. I re-watched that fight the other day and the post fight, and Tommy was giddy about redeeming himself even though he should've gotten the decision. I'm convinced Leonard woould've stopped him again.
I agree. SRL finished that fight well, and ultimately it would have ended like their first fight, with Tommy ahead on points but SRL getting to him late.
15 to 12 47-0 heading into the fight Larry Holmes loses his title to a mere neophyte in Carl Williams......... 12 to 15 Richard Steele is roudnly criticized for letting Meldrick Taylor continue after getting dropped for the second time in middle of the 13th round against JCC.
Do you mean Ali-Frazier 2? Because Ali-Frazier three was stopped between rounds 14-15. The most obvious case for me is Chavez-Taylor I. One of the most controversial decisions of all time because the fight is 12 rounds, if it's 15 not only does Chavez KO Taylor, but Taylor's health might be in immediate danger. (He was in bad enough shape by the 12th... another couple of rounds and he might be carried out of the ring, as horrific a thought as that is). As mentioned upthread, Hagler probably grinds Ray Leonard down some more with the extra three rounds, taking advantage of the layoff lessening Leonard's stamina and takes the decision.