I think the reduction from 15 to 12 rounds was precipitated by the death of Du Ku Kim in 1982. I am sure that accommodating network requests for televised fights also influenced the decision makers and the proliferation of late round stoppage and injuries was another factor. History would record many older fighters winning if the championship distance had always been 12 rounds with Hearns surely beating Leonard and many others following suit. Yes there were plenty of draws and split decisions even over 15 rounds but my hypothesis is that many so called fitter or better conditioned fighters today would struggle over 15 rounds and be unable to box negatively for a draw. The extra rounds seemed to call for second, third and fourth winds, the mystic hinterland where greatness was often confirmed.Before boxings formalization people fought with no round limits with some bouts going in excess of 100 rounds. No gloves and clogs on your feet that some mental as well as physical toughness. The average marathon time is 4 hours 32 minutes so 45 minutes of boxing instead of 36 seems reasonable from an endurance point of view. The problem again i think comes down to dehydration with many fighters boiling down to weights unnaturally low for them. The extra 3 rounds then leaves brains in a dangerously unprotected position in a "dry" athlete and so 12 rounds it is.
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