Return of 15-Round Fights: Teofimo Supports, WBA Considers, Turki Opposes

The return of 15-round fights has become a sudden and hotly debated topic in boxing. In January 2025, former undisputed lightweight champion and current WBO super lightweight titleholder Teofimo Lopez was the first to raise the idea of increasing the round limit for undisputed title fights.

"I have a question. Can we bring back 15-round fights? I don’t know, maybe it’s just something I’ve been thinking about. When you’re fighting for undisputed status, how about making those fights 15 rounds? Let’s add three more rounds and see who the real champion is.

I think it would be symbolic because it truly shows what we’re fighting for. Plus, you’re not taking that 3% sanctioning fee, right? No fee. So why not add three more rounds for undisputed fights?" Lopez suggested.

The discussion didn’t end there. WBA President Gilberto Mendoza later stated that the format could be tested in certain high-level fights, likely referring to undisputed bouts in response to Lopez’s proposal.

Meanwhile, Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, is firmly against the return of 15-round fights:

"No, I do not support this idea in any way. It’s bad for fighters' health, and I will never advocate for the return of 15-round fights.

In my opinion, even 12-round fights can be too much for a fighter’s well-being—15 rounds should not even be considered. Fifteen-round fights should not be allowed," Alalshikh stated.

The 15-round format was abolished by the WBC in 1982 following a tragic event.

During a 15-round bout, South Korean boxer Duk Koo Kim collapsed into a coma in the ring and passed away four days later without regaining consciousness.

As a result, the WBC reduced the standard fight length to 12 rounds. By 1987-1988, both the WBA and IBF followed suit, making 12 rounds the global standard.