I hear all the time from commentators on TV that a fighter that has never fought 12 rounds before is at a serious disadvantage against a more experienced fighter who has. I guess that is because the inexperienced fighter (at 12-rounders) might have an issue with pacing himself and gas. What else can you think of? I'm really curious since it seems to be a big thing according to the people in the know.
IMO, the term "championship rounds' is just a cliche now a days....2 additionals round past the standard 10 rounds rank boxers are use to fighting is not the burden for boxers training, conditioning and mental stamina than the traditional 5 rounds all championship bout use to be fought at, 15 rounds of boxing!! For experience at the gym listening to friends on how different training was for them back when they fought for championship fight....they agreed it was demanding, as well as a mental obstacle they needed to overcome, and at time it was difficult to overcome that hurdle... My friend Vonzell Johnson when he fought a 15 rounder for the LHW against Matthew Saad Muhammad, fought bravely for 10 rounds, what he was used to fight and trained, when the 11 came..lit was all over...lost by TKO...he said lesson learned...I should have trained for 15 rounds, not 10.... And he went ahead telling mr the difference in training boiled down to the over rounds he needed to logged in during training camp...it was substantially different...but now a days , the difference is minimal at best!!
All boxers recognise that training for 12 or 15 rounds in training doesn't properly replicate doing 12 rounds in a live boxing match. Just look at the Dirrells. Anthony never went 12 before the first Bika fight and faded to a draw. In the rematch he won quite handily. Andre never went 12 before Froch and didn't seem to pace himself properly, holding too much back. Many more better examples obviously...
Like said, the championship rounds effect is a lot less as it was when boxingmatches still went 15 rounds. There are many examples of fights in wich a 12 rounder clearly delivered the wrong winner because it was clear they wouldn't last 1 or 2 more rounds if it had continued. And many instances in the past in wich a boxer was being dominated for 12 or more ended up winning by KO14 or 15. Since it's 12 rounds the 2 championship rounds are still important, but not as much as some make it out to be. Like the mentioned "he never went 12 rounds" remark does only apply as a) the fight actually lasts that distance (obviously) and b) the fighter's conditioning and/or concentration is either known to be bad or in question.
It would be awesome if they brought 15 rounds back! There would be a lot of different outcomes for many fights.
15 rounders give fighters legit time to completely take rounds off and not have to worry about it too much. Back in the old days where it was dozens and dozens of rounds really killed the matches. Fighters didn't really do anything until one fighter started to fatigue. Boring rounds that didn't seen to end. Championship rounds in 12 and 15 rounders are way over blown. Announcers make it sound like the championship rounds are worth more than the other rounds which is bs... the elite fighters have no problem going 12 hard rounds. That really separates many of fighters. If you can't be strong and alert in those rounds you have problems
We have 12 rounders and fighters still have long periods of inactivity in a fight it is ridiculous. Sometimes for me I wish certain fights were 15 rounders because I didn't want a fight to end. I am sure many boxing fans have had that feeling when all caught up in a fight.
Agreed, I wish championship fights were 15 not 12 but who am I to say what's right n what's wrong. Many fighters pace themselves which literally means they do nothing for long stretches which I friggin hate
