
Via Phil Jay / worldboxingnews.net
World Boxing Organization President Gustavo Olivieri has told World Boxing News that boxing 15 rounds won’t be happening under his watch.
Following WBN’s exclusive with WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, who held similar views, Olivieri pointed to the initial decision to reduce championship fights from 15 to 12 rounds.
Olivieri exclusively told WBN: “I strongly oppose the idea of reinstating 15-round championship bouts in any format, as it would be a clear step backward for fighter safety. Boxing is an inherently dangerous sport, and the transition to 12-round fights was a necessary reform to reduce fatigue-related injuries and long-term health risks.”
After Olivieri’s predecessor Paco Valcarcel branded any 15-round move – which his WBA counterpart was willing to trial – ‘insane,’ the new President believes any transitions in the sport should be targeted elsewhere.
“As regulators, our primary responsibility is prioritizing fighter safety and continuously enhancing protective measures. Rather than revisiting past practices, we should focus on strengthening medical protocols, improving fighter well-being, maintaining integrity and transparency in our actions, and ensuring the sport continues to evolve in a way that safeguards its athletes.
“The pursuit of greatness in the ring should never come at the cost of a fighter’s long-term health, both during and after their career,” he concluded.
Like Olivieri, Sulaiman expressed his concern about where safety standards are heading when it comes to recent debates. Teofimo Lopez had begun the 15-round discussion when referencing the growing trend bordering obsession of fighters becoming undisputed.
Adding three more rounds would do nothing to decipher the best boxer on the planet and would only increase the risk of brain damage, which is already massively high.
Turki Alalshikh, whose magazine aired Lopez’s request to fight 15-rounders, spoke out less than 12 hours after WBN highlighted the dangers.
“No, I don’t support this idea in any way,” said the Saudi matchmaker. “This is bad for a fighter’s health. I would never be in favor of fights going back to 15 rounds.
“In my opinion, even a 12-round fight could be too much for a fighter’s health, but 15 rounds is out of the question. A 15-round fight should never be allowed to happen.”
Lopez responded to Alalshikh, saying, “I am shaking my crazy head, Turki Alalshikh. Nevertheless, I respect your wishes. From one lion to another.”
Source: https://www.worldboxingnews.net/boxing-15-rounds-backward-wbo-president/