The Saudi boxing impresario Turki Al-Sheikh has commented on the WBA’s proposal to schedule certain fights for 15 instead of 12 rounds in future.
Should professional boxing title fights last 15 rounds instead of 12 in future? Turki Al-Sheikh, head of the “Riyadh Season”, was recently confronted with this idea. Al-Sheikh’s stance on the matter is clear, as the online portal of “Ring Magazine” reports.
For decades, professional boxing title fights were held over a distance of 15 rounds. This changed in the early 1980s, specifically after the death of light-heavyweight Duk Koo Kim in November 1982. The South Korean suffered heavy blows in the 14th round of the 15-round title fight against champion Ray Mancini, whereupon referee Richard Green stopped the fight.
Kim’s tragic death changed everything
After the fight ended, Kim collapsed, fell into a coma and was taken to hospital, where he underwent emergency brain surgery. But the 23-year-old’s life could no longer be saved and Kim died five days after the fight. The referee Richard Green and Kim’s mother died by suicide a few months later. As a result, the World Boxing Council (WBC) decided that all future world championship fights would only be 12 rounds. The other federations followed this change.
In a recent statement, Gilberto Mendoza, President of the World Boxing Association (WBA), announced that his organization would consider the idea of extending certain fights to 15 rounds. “The WBA may consider approving this on a trial basis for certain high-profile boxers and fights,” Mendoza explained.
“Bad for your health”
According to various studies, the brain becomes more susceptible to damage after the 12th lap. In addition, many health experts are of the opinion that the 15-lap distance greatly increases the risk of dehydration and exhaustion.
Turki Al-Sheikh shares the view that a boxer’s health would be exposed to a significantly higher risk of injury if the fight distance were to be increased to 15 rounds. “No, I don’t support this idea in any way,” the Saudi boxing impresario told “Ring Magazine”. “It’s bad for a boxer’s health and I would never be in favor of increasing fights to 15 rounds again.” In his opinion, even a 12-round fight could be too much for an athlete’s health. Al-Sheikh emphasized: “A 15-round fight should never be allowed.”
Text: Frank Schwantes