Championship Round Stoppages (15 Round Era)

Sanchez has 3 as well, Gomez 2.

 

I've generally thought in terms of final round stoppages or potential stoppages. Among heavyweights, Ali may take the cake here, nearly producing four in all. Bonavena was the first, via the three knockdown rule. (Considering Ringo's rugged finish in his rematch with Frazier, this was a remarkable conclusion.)

Muhammad ditched Wepner in the closing seconds of round 15 as well, for what would have been a clean ten count if Tony Perez hadn't waved it off at seven. Had Futch let Frazier out for round 15 in Manila, Carlos Padilla has confirmed that he probably would have halted the proceedings in Ali's favor within the first minute, unless Joe came back with something dramatic. Muhammad could well have taken out Shavers in round 15 if he triggered his closing barrage earlier than he did.

During 1971, he also produced a final round stoppage in his 12 rounder with Jimmy Ellis, and a strong argument can be made that this should have been duplicated in his next match with Buster Mathis.

Others like Marciano and Frazier are usually cited as heavyweight stamina icons, but Ali's final round potency shouldn't take a back seat to anybody.


Ted (Kid) Lewis has four recorded stoppages beyond round 15. Usually, a match scheduled for 20 rounds went the distance if it lasted past 15.

 

I loved 15 round of quality fighting...those extra 3 rds...made fighters get into condition

 

Joe Brown had 3. I loved the 15 round limit as well, and those great title fights I saw in the 60's and 70's were all 15 rounders, the way it was supposed to be.

 

Carlos Ortiz with 3.

 

Lightweight king of the 50's Jimmy Carter had 3 late round stoppages.