The current WBO World Super Lightweight champion made a bold suggestion when speaking on undisputed title fights.
Teofimo Lopez claimed his lightweight world title in June of 2023 and has successfully defended it twice since reaching champion status.
His only career loss came to George Kambosos Jr., who beat Lopez via split decision to take the American’s IBF and WBO World Lightweight belts.
Although his next fight is currently unclear, Lopez has been in negotiations with Turki Alalshikh regarding his next opponent. However, Devin Haney claimed Lopez turned down an offer to fight him.
Lopez was also subject to harsh words from Bob Arum regarding accepting fights. Now, he faces more backlash from fans due to his suggested rule change.
Teofimo Lopez suggests 15 rounds for undisputed title fights
In an interview with Ring Magazine, Lopez suggested that some title fights could have an additional three rounds, meaning a total of 15.
The majority of world title fights in boxing were scheduled for 15 rounds up until the early 1980s, however, a decision to change came in 1982.
Following the death of Korean boxer Duk Koo Kim, who suffered fatal injuries in the 14th round of a championship bout, the WBC decided to reduce the number of rounds to 12 for title fights.
However, the current super lightweight champion is in favor of bringing back the additional rounds for undisputed title fights. Lopez said, “Can we bring some fights to 15 rounds?”
“How about we do undisputed [title fights] for 15 rounds?”
However, Lopez’s suggestion has been met with mixed responses from fans.
Public divided by suggested 15-round rule change from Teofimo Lopez
Boxing fans have been sharing their opinions in response to Lopez’s suggestion to bring back 15-round title fights, with the responses being mixed.
One fan on X wrote, “It would be great to bring it back for championship bouts.” While another user said, “That would be really exciting. Those 15-round fights separated the men from the boys.”
However, not all fans were quite as on board with Lopez’s suggestion. One fan said in response to the statement, “Dangerous ground! Will never happen again and for a good reason.”
Even boxing promoter Lou Di Bella weighed in on the subject, heavily disagreeing with the boxer.
Speaking on Twitter, Di Bella said, “How about we don’t make the sport more unsafe when we can’t institute universal health and safety regulations, adequately eradicate or even monitor use of performance-enhancing drugs, and have toothless, ineffective, inept and sometimes corrupt regulation of the sport? How about we don’t when too many people die or destroy their brains in the ring?”
There have been no signs that indicate that the WBC is considering reverting its decision to remove 15-round boxing fights.