15 rounds for championship fights.

While I respect what was behind why they changed it, I still think fighting longer helped to prove stamina.

 

They might come back, hearing what's been going on with the sanctioning bodies lately.

 

I think if the 15 rounders were still around, we would have more undisputed champions. Not many guys can go 15 hard rounds. I also don't think they really impacted the health of fighters. There are just as many fighters dying fighting 12 rounds. They would make for more meaningful fights.

 

Something to think about I suppose. I haven't followed the statistics regarding whether what it was based upon had much of an impact or not.

Anyway, I'm a fan of heart and stamina. If the change didn't accomplish the good for which it was intended, I'm in favour of increasing fights to 15 rounds as it may accomplish some things for boxing.

 

Just think about it; would there be a debate about the Leonard-Hagler fighter had it gone 15?

 

Yeah, I'd like to see 15 rounders back. Certainly interesting to see how todays athletes would cope with the extra three rounds. The reason 15 rounders suddenly came to a halt was that many fatalities were happening late down the stretch. Doo-Kim's death was the begining of the end.

 

Probably... if Hagler didn't KO him in the final three... we would still have Leonard huggers who tell us he won.

 

Leonard never done too badly during the 12th. Maybe he would have got a third win and won two of the last three rounds. Who knows.

 

I don't think so. Leonard was fading badly and only fighting in the final moments of the rounds. Hagler was getting better as the fight continued. I think Hagler would have won unanimously. Also De la Hoya would have ko'd Ike Quartey had it been a 15 round fight.

 

That is precisely what brought about the change. Have you ever read any follow up regarding whether deaths have been decreased due to this change?

 

I don't think you understand just how much some hug Leonard. Hagler could have knocked the little toad on his arse 10 times in the 12 rounds they fought and that wouldn't change. Three extra rounds isn't going to make any difference to them

 

No, I have never read any stats on it at all. But lets be honest, a fighter taking a slow but gradual pounding over the course of a 15 rounder is more likely to suffer greater damage between his ears. But one thing which needs to be added here, the medical equipment. It's much more advanced than it was over 20 years ago. Precautions are also administered quicker these days as well.

 

It wasn't quite that sudden. It was talked about for years, and each santioning body gradually ended them. The Mancini-Kim fight was the catalyst, though.
The are still ring deaths, though, so I don't believe anything is going to change. Boxing is a dangerous sport.

 

Not too sure about that. De La Hoya's arms were like sheets of lead halfway through the 12th round and he was fighting on even terms with Quartey during the closing stages of the fight. Quartey's head, once hazey and disorientated, became less so as the clock ticked down.