The idea of bringing back 15-round fights has sparked intense debate in the boxing world, with high-profile names weighing in on the potential rule change.
WBA President Gilberto Mendoza recently suggested that undisputed title fights should be extended from 12 to 15 rounds—an idea that has gained support from current WBO super-lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez.
Lopez believes that longer fights would add to the prestige of undisputed clashes, arguing that modern fighters should be pushed to their limits, just as past greats were.
The 15-round format was once a staple of boxing but was abolished in the 1980s following the tragic death of Kim Duk-Koo.
Safety concerns led governing bodies to reduce championship bouts to 12 rounds, a standard that has remained in place for decades.
The WBO President also weighed in recently on the idea of 15-round contests.
While some see a return to 15 rounds as a way to separate the best from the rest, not everyone agrees.
The Historical Context of 15-Round Bouts
For much of boxing’s history, championship fights were contested over 15 rounds, a grueling test of endurance and skill that often produced dramatic finishes in the “championship rounds.” However, this tradition came to a definitive end in the 1980s due to increasing concerns over fighter safety. The pivotal moment arrived with the tragic death of South Korean boxer Kim Duk-Koo in November 1982. Kim sustained fatal injuries in the 14th round of his WBA Lightweight title fight against Ray Mancini. This devastating event prompted a swift response from the boxing world. The World Boxing Council (WBC) was the first to act, reducing its championship bouts to 12 rounds. The World Boxing Association (WBA) followed suit in 1987, and the International Boxing Federation (IBF) adopted the 12-round standard in 1988, solidifying it as the global norm for title fights.
Medical studies conducted around that time suggested that boxers were significantly more susceptible to brain damage and other fatigue-related injuries in the later rounds, particularly after the 12th. The move to 12 rounds was widely hailed as a necessary reform to protect athletes, though some traditionalists lamented the loss of what they considered the ultimate test of a champion’s mettle.
Proponents and Opponents of the Rule Change
The recent resurgence of the 15-round debate was ignited by WBO super-lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez. Lopez, known for his dynamic fighting style and outspoken personality, publicly questioned why undisputed title fights couldn’t be extended to 15 rounds. He argued that these elite clashes, which aim to crown a single, undisputed champion, should demand an even greater physical and mental challenge, mirroring the legendary bouts of boxing’s past. Lopez’s professional record stands at 22 wins and 2 losses, with 13 knockouts. He most recently lost to Shakur Stevenson by unanimous decision on January 31, 2026, in a WBO World Junior Welterweight championship fight. Prior to that, he had secured victories against Arnold Barboza Jr. on May 2, 2025, and Steve Claggett on June 29, 2024, both by unanimous decision, defending his WBO and The Ring Junior Welterweight titles.
WBA President Gilberto Mendoza acknowledged Lopez’s suggestion, stating that the WBA “may think about approving it in a trial mode, for certain high calibre opposition between the boxers.” This statement opened the door for serious discussion within the sport’s governing bodies. However, the proposal has met with strong opposition from other influential figures. WBO President Gustavo Olivieri issued a clear statement rejecting the idea, emphasizing that reinstating 15-round bouts would be “a clear step backward for fighter safety.” Similarly, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has maintained that the reduction to 12 rounds was a vital safety reform that has saved many lives.
Turki Alalshikh Critical of 15-Round Idea
Turki Alalshikh, the influential Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, has spoken out unequivocally against the proposal.
He said: “This is bad for a fighter’s health and I would never be in favor of fights going back to 15 rounds.”
“In my opinion, even a 12 round fight could be too much for a fighter’s health, but 15 rounds is out of the question.
He concluded: “A 15-round fight should never be allowed to happen.”
Alalshikh’s strong stance reflects the ongoing tension between prioritizing boxing’s historical traditions and ensuring the long-term well-being of its athletes. His comments resonate with many who believe that the current 12-round format strikes a necessary balance.
Bivol vs. Beterbiev: The Undisputed Light-Heavyweight Saga Concludes
The debate over round limits gained particular relevance ahead of the highly anticipated undisputed light-heavyweight championship rematch between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev. The original article, published on February 17, 2025, mentioned this fight as a future event. The first encounter between Beterbiev and Bivol took place on October 12, 2024, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, billed as “IV Crown Showdown.” In a closely contested tactical battle, Artur Beterbiev emerged victorious via majority decision, with scores of 116-112, 115-113, and one judge scoring it a 114-114 draw. This result saw Beterbiev unify the WBC, IBF, WBO, and WBA (Super) light-heavyweight titles, becoming the first undisputed champion in the division in 22 years.
However, the article’s prediction of a rematch proved accurate, and the outcome has since been decided. The highly anticipated rematch, billed as “The Last Crescendo,” took place on February 22, 2025, also at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. In a reversal of fortunes, Dmitry Bivol avenged his sole professional loss, defeating Artur Beterbiev by majority decision with scores of 116-112, 115-113, and a 114-114 draw. This victory crowned Bivol as the undisputed light-heavyweight champion, handing Beterbieb his first professional defeat and claiming all four major belts, along with The Ring and IBO titles.
Dmitry Bivol’s current professional record stands at 24 wins and 1 loss, with 12 knockouts. Artur Beterbiev’s record is now 21 wins and 1 loss, with 20 knockouts. The immediate aftermath of the rematch has led to speculation about a potential trilogy fight, with both fighters expressing openness to the idea. This outcome has significant implications for the light-heavyweight division, establishing Bivol as the undisputed king and setting the stage for potentially more historic clashes in the future. For any rule change to happen, all major boxing organizations would need to agree, but the debate highlights an ongoing divide—should boxing prioritise tradition or fighter safety?
