How many rounds are there in boxing and how long is a boxing round?

How many rounds are there in boxing and how long is a boxing round?

Lenah Ann
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:29 PM

Boxing is one of the oldest sports dating back to the Olympic games in Greece. In the past few decades, it has risen in popularity due to the introduction of rules and regulations that have ensured the safety of players is of top concern. Although the rules govern the matches and other entities, they also determine how long a boxing round is.

What determines the number of rounds in boxing?
Willie Gates (L) is introduced by UFC octagon announcer Bruce Buffer during the UFC fight night event on 13 December 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo: Josh Hedges
Source: Getty Images

Boxing has the highest viewership compared to other combat sports like UFC and MMA. Consequently, it is with no doubt that most boxers are among the wealthiest individuals in the combat sports arena. Floyd Mayweather, Muhammad Ali, Manny Pacquiao, and Mike Tyson are the most famous.

How long is a professional boxing round?

Professional bouts last for three minutes for men and two minutes for women, with a one-minute interval in between. The length of each round is constant no matter how many the match has. Sometimes shorter rounds depend on the practitioners, who are mainly young athletes. For instance, those aged between 8 to 12 last for up to one minute each in a three-minute-long match.

In the early days of boxing competitions, they were never five minutes like in MMA. No restrictions were limiting their number in a match as boxers fought until one tapped out or was knocked out.

How long is a boxing round break?

Whether professional or amateur bouts breaks last a maximum of one minute for both men's and women's competitions.

What determines the number of rounds in boxing?

How long is a boxing round break?
Jake Paul celebrates after knocking out former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley during a fight at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, on 18 December 2021. Photo: Chandan Khanna
Source: Getty Images

During the early twentieth century, fights had unlimited rounds and would only end if a fighter gave up or the police intervened and stopped the match. In the past few decades, boxing has advanced and has factors determining the number of game rounds. Here are some of the elements.

  • The experience of the fighters
  • Gender
  • Class and calibre of the match
  • The age group of the participants
  • The rules of the hosting country
  • Boxing club organisations

How long is a 12-round boxing fight?

Today, most professional bouts for men and women, especially championship matches, have 12 rounds. It is easy to calculate and determine the overall duration of the fight since each lasts for three minutes for men and two minutes for women.

In both scenarios, eleven one-minute breaks between rounds sum up to 47 and 35 minutes for men and women, respectively. However, with pre-fight entrances, interviews, commercials, and post fights decisions, it totals up to about an hour of action which is perfect for television as it can fit into a one-hour block program.

How long are 6, 8, and 10 rounds boxing matches?

How long is a professional boxing round?
Demetrious Johnson enters the octagon before his flyweight championship fight with Chris Cariaso during the UFC 178 event on 27 September 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Jeff Bottari
Source: Getty Images

All pro matches are only sometimes set for twelve rounds. Matches can be set for either 4, 6, 8, or 10 rounds, depending on the event and experiences of the fighters. Generally, most people have an assumption that all professional bouts events run for twelve games which are different.

A 6-round bout will last 23 minutes for men and 17 minutes for women considering the one-minute break in each scenario. On the other hand, considering the one-minute break between the rounds, the maximum time allocated to an 8-round bout is 31 minutes for men and 23 minutes for women.

When it comes to a 10-round bout, for the men, it sums up to 39 minutes, while for the women, it adds up to 29 minutes considering the one-minute break in between.

How many rounds are there in boxing?

Professional matches are the most intense, demanding, violent, and protracted since fighters compete for a prize. According to the World Boxing Federation, the fights go for 4, 6, 8, and 10, to a maximum of 12 and 10 turns for men and women.

Additionally, fights held by international fighting organisations often differ from continent to continent and can last for up to 10-12 and 8-10 turns for men and women, respectively.

How long is a 12-round boxing fight?
A general look at the octagon during the UFC 137 at the Mandalay Bay Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Marc Sanchez
Source: Getty Images

Why is boxing 12 rounds now?

In 1982, South Korean boxer Kim Duk-koo died in the 14th round during a 15-round match for the WBA Title while competing against Ray Mancini. Following his death, WBC limited its championship fights to a maximum of 12 turns which the IBF later implemented in 1987.

What is 4-round boxing?

It is an amateur level of boxing that initially had three turns of three minutes with a one-minute break in between. The International Boxing Association changed it in 1926, 1997, and 2000 to 4 rounds of 2 minutes each.

Which age is best for boxing?

According to various specialists who have majored in sports medicine, the best time to start is around 9-10 years. Beginning this early gives the students a better and earlier chance to discipline, stamina, and muscle memory.

Who is the richest boxer in the world?

As of 2023, Floyd Mayweather is the world's richest boxer and the most renowned American fighting champion and promoter. According to various online sources, his net worth is approximately $450 million earned through salaries, endorsement deals, and investments.

How many rounds are there in boxing?
Kevin Holland (R) and Alex Oliveira of Brazil battle in their welterweight fight during UFC 272 at T-Mobile Arena on 5 March 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: David Becker
Source: Getty Images

How long is an amateur boxing match?

Armature fights last much less than professional bouts since players are mostly young with less experience and can sometimes fight up to three opponents on the same day.

Generally, amateur matches last about 12-15 minutes since they get three turns lasting for 3- or four-two-minute rounds with a one-minute break. However, there are occasions where a match can last for five turns, thus adding up to about 25-30 minutes.

What was the longest boxing match ever?

The longest-recorded match in history was a fight between Andy Bowen and Jack Burke in 1893. The legends fought for 110 turns which were 7 hours and 19 minutes, and were both too exhausted to continue, and the fight resulted in a draw.

How long is a boxing round?
Macy Chiasson (top) controls the body of Norma Dumont in their Women's Featherweight bout during the UFC 274 event at Footprint Center on 7 May 2022, in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo: Louis Grasse
Source: Getty Images

How long does an average boxing match last?

This comes about since a bout length averages 5.9 turns which are three minutes long, thus averaging the right time to 17.7 minutes for fights that end early. If the fights that end early are ignored, then the average fighting bout lasts about 9.7 minutes, with an average length of 29.1 minutes.

Boxing has come a long way and has undergone some changes to be loved and enjoyed today. Its rules and regulations keep the athletes safe and make the sport fun in various ways. Fans who ask how long a boxing match is, can now take a deep sigh of relief since they can also be inspired to work out and achieve incredible physique.

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Authors
Lenah Ann photo
Lenah Ann
Lenah Ann is a Kenyan-based content creator with 2 years of experience. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Media and Communication from Dedan Kimathi, Kenya in 2021.
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