We often debate which fighters of today might've had less success in the 15 round era. And the debate is complicated by the fact that even fighters exhausted by the 12th round in today's era might have paced themselves differently in the 15 round era. Still, it's not simply a question of stamina. It's also one of style and tactics. That said, any fighters come to mind whose success was seemingly so tied to the 15 round era that you have trouble imagining them achieving the same success in the 12 round era?
Can't really think of any, but I also don't see the difference between 12 and 15 as drastic as some. I'd say pressure fighters who weren't 1-punch KO artists probably benefitted most from 15 rounders, Frazier, Gavilan, LaMotta and such, but I do believe they would be successful through 12 as well. Another type of succesful guys could be the relaxed ones such as Toney, but still I can't name an actual example
There is a huge and drastic difference. Twelve rounds is nothing. I can go 12 right now at 60, but 15? That's life and death. There was a REASON rounds 13, 14 an 15 were called "The Championship Rounds". And no - no lives were saved going 12 with 36 hour weigh ins before the fight - more fighters have died due to that. It was Never about safety, it was about television time in the 80's - 90's when fights were shown in one hour allotted time formats on free TV It was about advertising revenue, nothing else.
It is true that fights were shortened because of TV blocks rather than safety. Also yes, fighting gets harder the more rounds it lasts, but I don't see a drastic difference between successful fighters. A guy who is good in 15 round era still is good in 12 round era, if nothing else changes. And no, you couldn't fight for 12 rounds
They did, but it seemed they used it more as an excuse, since the pressure came directly from TV companies (who dumped boxing a couple of years later anyway)
I imagine Pernell Whitaker dominating Ray Mancini for 12 rounds, then hitting a wall 15 seconds into round 13. Mancini TKO 13.
Doub, to answer your question, maybe the best example I can think of among the greats is Vincente Saldivar. He was a guy who truly got stronger as the rounds progressed and really started smoking rounds 9-15. The outcome of a matchup like say.... Saldivar-Morales, may depend if we're talking 12 or 15 rounds.
Bell rings and Floyd starts to disappear like in Back To The Future, folks it’s not physically possible for him to fight a 13th round... be like expecting pigs to fly
