Why is it assumed fighters from 12-15 round eras cant go 45rounds?

A 30-100 punch a round rate in a FULL 45 round fight is physically impossible. The longer a fight goes the more energy a fighter has to conserve to make it too the last round.

 

To clear it up, as the bareknuckle and pre-1900's era is not my thing, what exactly were the lengths of the rounds? I've heard they were not simply 3 minute rounds, but rather were very inconsistent time wise and depended on different factors in terms of when they were ended. What exactly was the deal?

 

I've heard, from several sources, that alot of early gloved boxing/late bareknuckle boxing was fought in rounds that ended with a knockdown. John L. Sullivan was one of the names mentioned, in particular.

It'd be quite a bit easier to go 45 rounds if you could take a knee after you got hit by a punch to earn a free ride back to the corner. It would make it really hard to KO somebody, too, because anybody in any kind of trouble would play it safe and go down to recover. In a scenario like that, you'd have to knock them out cold.

The rounds may of have time limits, I don't remember, but what I do remember is that it was fairly common practice for fighters to go down intentionally, because, not only did rounds end with a knockdown, but in the "to finish" type fights that were common back then, there was no real penalty for "losing" a round...it was much better to live to fight another one. I don't even know if they kept score in some of those matches.

 

Cubs, why do you think Holyfield is overrated? I find him quite underrated. He had quite a few losses in there(most of them past his prime), but he never hesitated to take on the best of the best, and beat most of them. He was as old-school as old-school comes among the modern fighters. A true warrior in my eyes.

 

True, he was a better Cruiser(the best), but I think that says a lot about his heart and determination to fight the majority of his career at a higher weight class and be as successful as he was. A tad inconsistent yes, but so were many classic greats. :good

 

No it isnt.

Bat Nelson and Ad Wolgast averaged 85 punches per round each over the course of a 42 round fight scheduled to go 45.

You can watch the film and count the punches if you want.

 

The camera dosnt lie. At least not when it comes to number of punches thrown.


Ray Leonard vs Roberto Duran I

Duran averaged 90-92 punches for 15 rounds


Shane Mosley vs Oscar De La Hoya

Mosley average of 41 punches a round

ODLH averaged 51 punches a round.


Battling Nelson vs Ad Wolgast

Nelson averaged 85 punches a round over 42 rounds. He threw 90 in the 30th round.

 

I think the modern day well-conditioned 12 rounds fighters can go 15, and the well-conditioned 15 round golden age fighters could go 20. Beyond 20 rounds is a lot to ask for anyone. The old timers who went 20 or more amaze me. This was the era of hot outdoor fights, rough clinching, and body punching. To go 20 rounds under these types of conditions is an amazing feat of stamina. While a marathon runner can go 26 miles, they don’t get hit.

I don't think ANY modern day fighter could go 45 rounds. The best fighters these days are too well off. You would have to be born in that era, harden by lack of luxury, and familar with distance fighting tactics.

 

To be fair not that many fighters from the era of 45 rounders could go an honest 45 rounds.

 

True.

 

Which fighters went 45 (3 min.) rounds anyway ?