Ernest Hemingway said: “If you want to feel the time, try to spend at least one round in the ring.” I completely agree with him. When I took my first competitors’ boxing match it seems me like one hour. But it was only three rounds of two minutes. So how long is a boxing round? Let’s figure it out!
Professional Boxing VS Amateur Boxing. What are the differences?
If you want to understand how many rounds will continue a boxing match you need to clarify a match type. Some professional boxers say that amateur boxing and professional boxing are two different sports. I don’t think so, but there are many differences between amateur and professionals. Boxing match duration is one of these.
Amateur Boxing Rounds
In the Olympic, Commonwealth, and Pan American Games, amateur boxing is a skilled sport but is unpaid. Individuals compete out of pride for their country and passion for the sport. A score in amateur boxing is not determined by knockouts or power, instead, it is determined by the number of clean punches thrown. Women can fight for two minutes with a maximum of four rounds, and men can fight for three minutes with a maximum of three rounds.
Youth Boxing Rounds
Usually, youth boxing is not always restricted to teens but includes young people who box in clubs and fight camps as a pastime – rather than to gain national or international recognition. Despite its name, youth boxing includes athletes as old as 30. It doesn’t just mean that boxers in their teens are only allowed.
| Category | Age | Round Limit |
| Bantam | 8-10 | three rounds of one minute |
| Junior | 11-12 | three rounds of one minute |
| Intermediate | 13-14 | three rounds of 1,5 minutes |
| Senior Junior Olympic | 15-16 | three rounds of two minutes |
| Sub Novice | 17-34 | three rounds of two minutes |
| Novice | 17-34 | three rounds of two minutes |
| Open | 17-34 | up to twelve rounds of two minutes |
| Master Class | 35 + | up to twelve rounds of three minutes |
Professional Boxing Rounds
With time, the rules of top-rank boxing have developed and evolved into what we now know and love today. Professional boxing matches are the longest – they last 3 minutes and go 12 rounds. Therefore, the maximum duration of a professional boxing match is forty-seven minutes, including the rest of one minute between rounds. This also applies to world title matches.
Exhibition Boxing Rounds
Between professional and amateur boxing, exhibition fights have recently become popular. Such matches may take place between professional boxers but are not part of their boxing record. For example, the fight between Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. Such boxing matches are governed by arbitrary round limits. Let us turn our attention to the practice of recent years.
- Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr – eight rounds of two minutes
- Floyd Mayweather vs Logan Paul – eight rounds of three minutes
- Floyd Mayweather vs Tenshin Nasukawa – just 2 minutes before TKO
How Did Change Round Limit In Boxing History?
During the early stages of boxing’s development, there weren’t any specific rules, and matches lasted until one of the opponents was knocked out. An 1855 boxing match near Ballarat held the record for the longest match ever recorded. A grudge match was fought between Irishman James Kelly, and British opponent Jonathan Smith. The event lasted exactly 6 hours, 15 minutes.
14 Rounds VS 15 Rounds Boxing Match
Professional title matches were traditionally 15 rounds from the 1920s to the 1980s, but that was changed in 1982 by a fight between Ray Mancini and Duk Koo Kim, which ended in the death of the latter after knockout. About three months after this, the WBA reduced the number of rounds to 12 in title fights.
See Some Of The Best Boxing Rounds
How many minutes in a boxing round?
During each 3 minute round, the boxers put all they have into their fight, and then they rest for a minute before moving into the next round.
How many rounds in boxing?
Almost all boxing bouts outside of the Olympics last 12 rounds, each lasting three minutes. Both men and women compete in three rounds each.
Are all boxing matches 12 rounds?
Each round of a professional bout lasts 3 minutes for men and 2 minutes for women. Boxers typically fight four, six, eight, or ten rounds, depending upon their experience.
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