Boxing is the sport of masses. It shares this throne with soccer, cause it is really easy to get involvedin it: two humans alone in a ring, with theobjective to overcome usingonly the power of their fistsalong 12 rounds… or are they 10?
The sure thing hereis that to practice boxing youmust be in a really good shape: nowadays boxers haveenviable physiques, cause eventhoughthe only part of the body that it is used to contact the opponent are the nuckles, all youmuscles are involved. And you have to mantain the rythm for the whole duration of the round: 3 minutes… or are they2?
If youshare the doubtsarisenon theprevious paragraphs, you should definitely keep reading this story. We are going to figure outonce and for all how many rounds are in a professional fight and howlong do rounds lastin the same stage. Here we go.
The amount of rounds a professional fighthas
The answer depends on the situation. If the fight involves a World title, or another considered as a major one, the number of rounds fought are 12. But it was not always like this. Up to 1982, this kind of boutscontemplated15 chaptersto read its whole story.
Unfortunately, a tragedy was the key to establish the current12 round rule for title fights: the KoreanDuk Koo Kimpassed away after being knocked downby Ray Mancini, a Lightweight Champion of the World and Hall of famer, on the round 14 of their title bout on 1982.
One year afterthatunfortunate experience, the WBC decided to reduce the number of rounds for aWorld Championship fight. In fact, the last boxing war with 15 rounds happened in March 1988: the Mexican JorgeMaromeroPaezdefeatedthe American Calvin Groveand conquered theIBFFeatherweight Championship of the World in Mexicali, Baja California.
Jorge Maromero Paez, Mexican Boxer. (Holly Stein /Allsport)
Number of rounds in regular professional boxing fights
When there is no title on the table, professionalboxing fights usually last 10 rounds. Butif theboxers involved are rookies, themanagers and organizers can set the matchwith lesser duration. For example, it is common thatdebutants fight only for 4 rounds. As they progress, they can take on bouts of 6, 8 and, finally, 10 rounds.
How long does a round last in professional boxing fights
Three minutes and no more. At least for men. Even there are complainsof someboxing women, like Pound for Pound Queen Katie Taylor,the rule is thaton femalefights, the rounds should last only 2 minutes.
see also
Memorable bouts: The 25 best boxing fights of all time
