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Title: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: Tennisballz on July 24, 2018, 10:39:30 AM
Convince me why it's a good thing that championship boxing matches are a monotonous 36 minutes?  It's dreadful to watch boxers go at 70% because they have to conserve energy.  Why are any fights 10 or 8 or even 6 rounds?  Fighters taking a few rounds to "feel each other out" or fighters "taking a round off" to conserve energy, these are lies the announcers tell you to as an excuse for boring fights with little action.  Boxing should be 5 rounds maximum.  If you can't assert yourself as the better puncher within 5 rounds, maybe dancing is a better sport for you.  Get your ass in the ring, get after it and get out....on with the next fight.
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: Griffith on July 24, 2018, 10:47:38 AM
They used to be 15 rounds but this lead to a higher risk of brain injuries.

Boxing is also a test of conditioning, endurance and strategy.
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: Agnostic007 on July 24, 2018, 10:52:21 AM
Convince me why it's a good thing that championship boxing matches are a monotonous 36 minutes?  It's dreadful to watch boxers go at 70% because they have to conserve energy.  Why are any fights 10 or 8 or even 6 rounds?  Fighters taking a few rounds to "feel each other out" or fighters "taking a round off" to conserve energy, these are lies the announcers tell you to as an excuse for boring fights with little action.  Boxing should be 5 rounds maximum.  If you can't assert yourself as the better puncher within 5 rounds, maybe dancing is a better sport for you.  Get your ass in the ring, get after it and get out....on with the next fight.

I remember when they were 15 rounds. I think boxing should be 10 rounds. It's a good round number and it allows for the opponents to use a couple rounds to size up their opponents, looking for openings and flaws.. a couple rounds to recover from a fluke knockdown on the scorecards if that person is the better boxer, and it's long enough to make conditioning an important component. Boxing is called the Sweet Science because it isn't always about which bruiser has a knockout punch or just throwing windmill punches. It's about picking an opponent apart, setting him up for an uppercut when he thinks you will go for that right cross you because have for the last 3 rounds. Lots of people today don't appreciate boxing because they were brought up on the octagon.  
 
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: plebian on July 24, 2018, 10:54:27 AM
counter point

have you ever watched amateurs? 3 x 3 or 4 x 2 is often not enough to establish a clear winner, especially when the skill levels are high. Sure there is a winner regardless, but you, the spectator (and I can confirm a similar feeling as a fighter) are often left with the impression of "that was a fight?")

I dont know that it needs to be 12 rounds, but I do know that attempts to "make boxing more exciting" (there have been many, from the sound to the absolutely bizarre) in the past have generally fallen flat on their faces, because the big secret it is none of these combat sports survive or dont on the merits of their technical rulesets, but actually on the marketing and audience investment. For example, I remember during there was a big push for kickboxing and muay thai, but most particular, K1, because it was "better than boxing" because it featured more techniques, and because it was faster paced. Well trying to sell muay thai in america was a doomed venture, it never caught on at all, and K1 was only marginally more successful in the US (it was mostly a european thing, which is where it really caught on). The difference between K1 and MT is K1 got the fans invested by giving the fighters personalities and lots of media coverage, the production was fantastic quality and so on.

but none of these things have ever come close to toppling boxing. Why is the UFC the only mma promotion anyone talks about today? much the same reasons. Its not about the particular sport or technicalities, its all about marketing.
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: Tennisballz on July 24, 2018, 11:00:18 AM
I remember when they were 15 rounds. I think boxing should be 10 rounds. It's a good round number and it allows for the opponents to use a couple rounds to size up their opponents, looking for openings and flaws.. a couple rounds to recover from a fluke knockdown on the scorecards if that person is the better boxer, and it's long enough to make conditioning an important component. Boxing is called the Sweet Science because it isn't always about which bruiser has a knockout punch or just throwing windmill punches. It's about picking an opponent apart, setting him up for an uppercut when he thinks you will go for that right cross because have for the last 3 rounds. Lots of people today don't appreciate boxing because they were brought up on the octagon. 
 
You make some good points.  I'll meet you in the middle at 7 rounds.

no longer than 7....non negotiable!!!  ;D
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: Thin Lizzy on July 24, 2018, 11:02:59 AM
They used to be 15 rounds but this lead to a higher risk of brain injuries.

Boxing is also a test of conditioning, endurance and strategy.

If I remember correctly, it was the fight between Ray boom boom Mancini and a Korean boxer, Kim, who later died as a result of brain injuries that was the tipping point.
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: Dan-O on July 24, 2018, 11:13:25 AM
If I remember correctly, it was the fight between Ray boom boom Mancini and a Korean boxer, Kim, who later died as a result of brain injuries that was the tipping point.

There were quite a few jokes like this going around at the time:

"Who makes the best Korean vegetables?"

"Boom Boom Mancini!"
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: BB on July 24, 2018, 11:33:57 AM
Yeah it was the Kim fight that changed all of it. Mancini was never the same, Rich Green, the ref killed himself, as did Kim's mother. Also there were a few studies that showed the biggest amount of damage happened to a fighter in the last 3 rounds of a fight, so they scaled it back.

I like the 12  rounders, they go well with the ebb and flow of boxing, lots of great second winds happen in those late rounds.

Here's a good doc on the subject -

.

Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: BB on July 24, 2018, 12:04:24 PM
.

Just noticed this is up on Youtube. Good little film, from 43:00 on - deals with the Kim fight.
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: ratherbebig on July 24, 2018, 12:18:17 PM
if after 6 rounds both are standing, the gloves come off

Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: Tennisballz on July 24, 2018, 12:53:32 PM
if after 6 rounds both are standing, the gloves come off


Great idea!  Another option is to have boxers use like 4 ounce gloves coupled with 5 or 6 round fights.  These 12 round fights need to go away.
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: Griffith on July 24, 2018, 01:00:25 PM
I remember when they were 15 rounds. I think boxing should be 10 rounds. It's a good round number and it allows for the opponents to use a couple rounds to size up their opponents, looking for openings and flaws.. a couple rounds to recover from a fluke knockdown on the scorecards if that person is the better boxer, and it's long enough to make conditioning an important component. Boxing is called the Sweet Science because it isn't always about which bruiser has a knockout punch or just throwing windmill punches. It's about picking an opponent apart, setting him up for an uppercut when he thinks you will go for that right cross because have for the last 3 rounds. Lots of people today don't appreciate boxing because they were brought up on the octagon. 
 

Exactly!!

Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: Powerlift66 on July 24, 2018, 01:07:27 PM
They used to be 70+ rounds, bare-knuckle, when men were men, and retarded... (John L. Sullivan).
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: Tennisballz on July 24, 2018, 01:07:36 PM
counter point

have you ever watched amateurs? 3 x 3 or 4 x 2 is often not enough to establish a clear winner, especially when the skill levels are high. Sure there is a winner regardless, but you, the spectator (and I can confirm a similar feeling as a fighter) are often left with the impression of "that was a fight?")

I dont know that it needs to be 12 rounds, but I do know that attempts to "make boxing more exciting" (there have been many, from the sound to the absolutely bizarre) in the past have generally fallen flat on their faces, because the big secret it is none of these combat sports survive or dont on the merits of their technical rulesets, but actually on the marketing and audience investment. For example, I remember during there was a big push for kickboxing and muay thai, but most particular, K1, because it was "better than boxing" because it featured more techniques, and because it was faster paced. Well trying to sell muay thai in america was a doomed venture, it never caught on at all, and K1 was only marginally more successful in the US (it was mostly a european thing, which is where it really caught on). The difference between K1 and MT is K1 got the fans invested by giving the fighters personalities and lots of media coverage, the production was fantastic quality and so on.

but none of these things have ever come close to toppling boxing. Why is the UFC the only mma promotion anyone talks about today? much the same reasons. Its not about the particular sport or technicalities, its all about marketing.
I started watching boxing in 2006 I believe and I can't remember any time they've really done anything to try and make it more exciting.
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: BB on July 24, 2018, 01:59:14 PM
Here's another fight that happened just after Duk Koo Kim, and showed boxing in a bad light -

.

Cobb was a lion, but Holmes whipped on him for 15 rounds, and caused Howard Cossell to quit calling boxing matches, and seldom speak kindly about it again.
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: dj181 on July 24, 2018, 02:28:23 PM
Great idea!  Another option is to have boxers use like 4 ounce gloves coupled with 5 or 6 round fights.  These 12 round fights need to go away.

Was watching some of Foreman's 70's heavyweight bouts and they were using 8 oz gloves back then... Damn!

And speaking of heavies Micheal Dokes had phenomenal hand speed for a heavy

Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: Moontrane on July 24, 2018, 07:21:39 PM
I remember when they were 15 rounds. I think boxing should be 10 rounds. It's a good round number and it allows for the opponents to use a couple rounds to size up their opponents, looking for openings and flaws.. a couple rounds to recover from a fluke knockdown on the scorecards if that person is the better boxer, and it's long enough to make conditioning an important component. Boxing is called the Sweet Science because it isn't always about which bruiser has a knockout punch or just throwing windmill punches. It's about picking an opponent apart, setting him up for an uppercut when he thinks you will go for that right cross because have for the last 3 rounds. Lots of people today don't appreciate boxing because they were brought up on the octagon. 
 

10 rounds would be enough, but the biggest change boxing needs is for the scores to posted after each round.  With the exceptions of contests like diving and ice skating, a competitor knows exactly what the score is.  If a boxer is actually winning the bout but incompetent or corrupt judges have him behind, he'll know he needs to do more or KO his opponent.

I also like the idea of a tie-breaking round if there's a draw.  With the scores displayed real time, at tie-breaking round could start a minute after the last regular round.
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: plebian on July 24, 2018, 08:39:19 PM
I started watching boxing in 2006 I believe and I can't remember any time they've really done anything to try and make it more exciting.

not mainstream, established boxing, but theres been plenty of failed business ventures that tried to make boxing more exciting, from minor changes such as less rounds, to the absolutely bizarre like chess boxing.
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: Agnostic007 on July 24, 2018, 09:13:40 PM
I started watching boxing in 2006 I believe and I can't remember any time they've really done anything to try and make it more exciting.
That may be the issue. I was a boxing fan from the mid 70's.I stopped watching around 2010. But the 70's and early 80's right up until Buster Douglas and Tyson was spectacular. I actually owe part of my early retirement to the Douglas Tyson fight
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: Desolate on July 24, 2018, 09:15:54 PM
They used to be 15 rounds but this lead to a higher risk of brain injuries.

Boxing is also a test of conditioning, endurance and strategy.

This.^ 8)
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: Agnostic007 on July 24, 2018, 09:18:20 PM
This.^ 8)

A great boxing match combines strategy, skill, endurance and recovery. I was gifted to watch some of the greatest matches in history. Age brings back pain but it also means you got to witness some real time history
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: Agnostic007 on July 24, 2018, 09:26:30 PM
I remember early 90's watching George Foreman's wading through the journeymen. But his knockout jab was something to be respected. The man had the potential to knock anyone out with a left jab which was not that common
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: Darren Avey on July 25, 2018, 10:08:24 AM
That may be the issue. I was a boxing fan from the mid 70's.I stopped watching around 2010. But the 70's and early 80's right up until Buster Douglas and Tyson was spectacular. I actually owe part of my early retirement to the Douglas Tyson fight

You bet on Douglas?!!
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: Agnostic007 on July 25, 2018, 10:44:56 AM
10 rounds would be enough, but the biggest change boxing needs is for the scores to posted after each round.  With the exceptions of contests like diving and ice skating, a competitor knows exactly what the score is.  If a boxer is actually winning the bout but incompetent or corrupt judges have him behind, he'll know he needs to do more or KO his opponent.

I also like the idea of a tie-breaking round if there's a draw.  With the scores displayed real time, at tie-breaking round could start a minute after the last regular round.

The suspense is part of it for me.. although we typically know what the scores are these days as the bout progresses. What I would like to see is more effort on judges being qualifed. There have been some horrendous decisions over the decades because Suzy or Becky or Brett were one of the 3 judges and although they had no real knowledge of what constitutes a point, they knew someone who knew someone and got the job. Anytime a judge is so far off from the other two that it makes you wonder if they were watching the same fight, they should be banned.
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: Agnostic007 on July 25, 2018, 10:59:38 AM
You bet on Douglas?!!

I bet on Douglas. $300 at 38 to 1. I missed out on the 41 to 1 odds that it finally got up to. I think I made around $11K before taxes. That was a LOT of money for me back in 1990 but I had just spent 5 years in Okinawa and had saved a lot of money prior to getting stationed at Beale AFB. invested most of it and it helped me  reach my goals a bit faster than I would have been able o achieve. There were only one or two places in Vegas that would even take bets on the fight it was deemed so lopsided. 
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: jpm101 on July 25, 2018, 12:02:03 PM
Those extra two rounds are called the champion rounds, added to see which fighter has that extra desire and skills to take the match from the other guy. Who have the champion heart, as it were.

A good judge (three, including referee) will take into consideration how many potential blows are blocked or deflected, as well as the ones that get by.

Pro boxing is one of the most dishonest and dirty sports around, and has been for probably the beginning of time.. But I still love boxing, one of the more electrifying sports, when a good match is involved. Attending an excellent fight is something to remember always.



Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: Tennisballz on July 25, 2018, 12:44:40 PM
Those extra two rounds are called the champion rounds, added to see which fighter has that extra desire and skills to take the match from the other guy. Who have the champion heart, as it were.

A good judge (three, including referee) will take into consideration how many potential blows are blocked or deflected, as well as the ones that get by.

Pro boxing is one of the most dishonest and dirty sports around, and has been for probably the beginning of time.. But I still love boxing, one of the more electrifying sports, when a good match is involved. Attending an excellent fight is something to remember always.




Every round in a championship fight is a champion round.  I just don't buy the idea that more than 5 or 6 rounds are needed.  If a boxer is exerting himself and actually trying every round then 6 rounds is plenty to test his endurance.  Nevermind the fact that usually in a 12 round fight there are 2 "feel out" rounds and each fighter will "take a round off" later in the fight to conserve energy.  What these terms are are BS excuses for the fact that the body is not meant to box for 12 rounds.  If the body was meant for it, fighters would go ham for 12 rounds but they never do.  I agree, exciting fights are fantastic....but only 1 out of 10 are exciting these days.  Give fighters a reason to give their all every round and you will get exciting fights.  The old guard is starting to die off....boxing doesn't have much longer unless they start making the fights fans want and making them more exciting.  MMA gives the fights the fans want.  After the initial burst mma has died down a bit, but I predict it will rise and far surpass boxing unless boxing changes with the times.  Fans scream for a fight and Dana White gives it to the best of his ability.  Boxing is just a nightmare.  You have a few big promoters who covet and protect their cash cows and the result is fights like Pacquiao vs Mayweather 5 years too late and a bore fest.  People still bought it, but it turned many people away.
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: Agnostic007 on July 25, 2018, 02:44:43 PM
Every round in a championship fight is a champion round.  I just don't buy the idea that more than 5 or 6 rounds are needed.  If a boxer is exerting himself and actually trying every round then 6 rounds is plenty to test his endurance.  Nevermind the fact that usually in a 12 round fight there are 2 "feel out" rounds and each fighter will "take a round off" later in the fight to conserve energy.  What these terms are are BS excuses for the fact that the body is not meant to box for 12 rounds.  If the body was meant for it, fighters would go ham for 12 rounds but they never do.  I agree, exciting fights are fantastic....but only 1 out of 10 are exciting these days.  Give fighters a reason to give their all every round and you will get exciting fights.  The old guard is starting to die off....boxing doesn't have much longer unless they start making the fights fans want and making them more exciting.  MMA gives the fights the fans want.  After the initial burst mma has died down a bit, but I predict it will rise and far surpass boxing unless boxing changes with the times.  Fans scream for a fight and Dana White gives it to the best of his ability.  Boxing is just a nightmare.  You have a few big promoters who covet and protect their cash cows and the result is fights like Pacquiao vs Mayweather 5 years too late and a bore fest.  People still bought it, but it turned many people away.

10 rounds.. I won't budge a round lower. Take it or leave it
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: funk51 on July 25, 2018, 02:48:11 PM
should be 13 rounds
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: polychronopolous on July 25, 2018, 03:51:49 PM
Jim Jacobs(Mike Tyson's former manager, handball champion, owner of massive fight tape and comic book collection) claimed in an interview that the old timey boxers had the greatest stamina of all. And that guy had 1000s of historical fight films going back to the turn of the 20th century.
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: Kwon3 on July 25, 2018, 03:54:52 PM
Modern boxers from cruiser weight on don't have the cardio for 15. Too bad, those last three rounds actually made the fight worth watching because the guys were so mauled that you were basically watching a trainwreck where the winner was whoever would drop dead first.
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: Agnostic007 on July 25, 2018, 05:57:47 PM
Jim Jacobs(Mike Tyson's former manager, handball champion, owner of massive fight tape and comic book collection) claimed in an interview that the old timey boxers had the greatest stamina of all. And that guy had 1000s of historical fight films going back to the turn of the 20th century.

The old timeys had no round limit. They fought until someone quit or was knocked out. It stands to reason they had stamina. But the rules changed and boxers conditioned accordingly. Had the rules not changed I don't see a reason why current boxers wouldn't meet that level.
Title: Re: Why are championship boxing matches 12 rounds?
Post by: che on July 25, 2018, 07:39:41 PM
Convince me why it's a good thing that championship boxing matches are a monotonous 36 minutes?  It's dreadful to watch boxers go at 70% because they have to conserve energy.  Why are any fights 10 or 8 or even 6 rounds?  Fighters taking a few rounds to "feel each other out" or fighters "taking a round off" to conserve energy, these are lies the announcers tell you to as an excuse for boring fights with little action.  Boxing should be 5 rounds maximum.  If you can't assert yourself as the better puncher within 5 rounds, maybe dancing is a better sport for you.  Get your ass in the ring, get after it and get out....on with the next fight.

STFU you know nothing about boxing  , go watch Paige Van Zant