Round-of-16 WBC Grand Prix Statistics: Where the Knockouts Came and How the Fighters Changed

From 20 to 21 June in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the WBC Grand Prix held its Round of 16. The second stage pitted prospects from four divisions against one another: Featherweight, Super Lightweight, Middleweight and Heavyweight.

Ready to Fight breaks down the most telling facts and figures from the play-off’s Round of 16. A full review of the tournament’s debut round is available at the link.

Unlike the opening stage, the picture is beginning to shift: fighters boxed more cautiously and judges’ scorecards decided the winner more often.

Featherweight – the leader in judges’ decisions

Every bout in the Featherweight bracket went to the scorecards—the only division where that happened in Round 2. Moreover, an overwhelming 75 % of those verdicts were unanimous.

Heavyweight became more competitive—yet still owns the KO crown

Compared with Round 1, where more than half the Heavyweight contests ended early, only 37.5 % failed to hear the final bell this time. All decisions were unanimous.

Average bout length also rose—from 3.6 rounds in the first stage to 5 rounds here. Fighters now knew their opponents in advance (in Stage 1 they learned at the weigh-in), so they had time to prepare. The overall standard rose, and boxers—aware of each other’s tools—boxed with greater caution and discipline.

Middleweight inverts the Heavyweights—knockout rate climbs

Versus the Round-of-32, Middleweight became less referee-controlled: 75 % of fights still went the distance, yet the knockout rate rose from 18.75 % to 25 %. Unanimous verdicts likewise climbed—from 62.5 % to 75 %.

Super Lightweight – still the tournament’s most balanced bracket

Stability rules here. Most bouts concluded on the cards (87.5 %), with unanimous verdicts in 75 % of cases. Average length nudged up only slightly—from 5.44 to 5.63 rounds—while the knockout share slipped from 25 % to 12.5 %.

Trend comparison: Round-of-32 vs Round-of-16

Featherweight (≤ 57.2 kg)

– Share of stoppages fell from 25 % to 0 %

– Judges’ decisions rose from 75 % to 100 %

– Unanimous verdicts climbed from 56.25 % to 75 %

– Average bout length increased from 5.56 to 6 rounds

Super Lightweight (≤ 63.5 kg)

– Knockout share dropped from 25 % to 12.5 %

– Judges’ decisions rose from 75 % to 87.5 %

– Unanimous verdicts rose from 56.25 % to 75 %

– Average length edged up from 5.44 to 5.63 rounds

Middleweight (≤ 72.6 kg)

– Stoppage share rose from 18.75 % to 25 %

– Judges’ decisions dipped from 81.25 % to 75 %

– Unanimous verdicts rose from 62.5 % to 75 %

– Average length fell from 5.81 to 5.4 rounds

Heavyweight (> 90.7 kg)

– Knockout share dropped from 56.25 % to 37.5 %

– Judges’ decisions rose from 43.75 % to 62.5 %

– Unanimous verdicts rose from 37.5 % to 62.5 %

– Average bout length increased from 3.6 to 5 rounds

Photo: Boxing Grand Prix