Exact Answer: 2-3 minutes
If you’ve spent any length of time around the sport of boxing, then you are well aware of that familiar opening bell sound which announces the beginning of round 1. Of course, even boxing enthusiasts will tell you that even they don’t know everything about this fascinating sport.
An Old Sport
First of all, you might think of boxing as a relatively new sport, but in that case, you would be mistaken. The earliest known depictions of boxing come from a Sumerian relief in Iraq that dates from the 3rd millennium B.C. There are also 2nd Millenium reliefs from Mesopotamia, Assyria, and even in some of the Hittite murals from Asia Minor.
Of course, if you’re thinking about engaging in this sport, you’ll need to know about some of the basics. For instance, how long is a typical round of boxing? The quick answer to that? It depends.
What is the length of a boxing round?
First of all, it’s important to understand that there are all kinds of classes available in the typical boxing match. The length of time allotted for a boxing match will be different from each class. Let’s compare the following classes:
Youth Boxing
Not a lot of people think of youth boxing when they think of this sport, but that’s too bad. They play an important contribution. Here are some of the divisions:
- Bantam: This group is from 8-10; their matches will have three rounds consisting of one minute each and a minute break for rest.
- Junior: This group will range in age from 11-12. They will box for three rounds consisting of a minute apiece accompanied with a one-minute rest.
- Intermediate: This group is between the ages of 13-14. Their matches will last for three rounds and be a minute-and-a-half each in duration. They will receive a one-minute rest in between.
- Senior Junior Olympic: These individuals will range in age from 15-16 and they will have boxing matches that will be of three rounds of two minutes each. They will receive a one-minute break in between rounds.
- Novice: This group is between 17 years of age and 34 years of age. (Yes, adults can compete in youth boxing. They play 10 2-minute rounds and get a one-minute break.
- Open: Ranging in age from 17-34, this group competes for 10 rounds at two minutes apiece with one minute of rest.
- Master Class: This group is aged 35 or over, and they have 10 rounds or more at 3 minutes apiece with a one-minute break.
Amateur Boxing
If you have ever taken in a boxing match from Team USA, the Pan American Games, or the Olympics, then chances are you have come to appreciate the thrill of amateur boxing. This version of boxing has male and female divisions.
For the males, the match will consist of three rounds of 3 minutes each with a 1-minute break in between. For the women, the match will be four rounds of 2 minutes each along with a 1-minute break.
Professional Boxing
Professional boxing is the type that lasts the longest, clocking in at 12 rounds. Each fight will go three minutes per round, and some of the best matches have occurred in the heavyweight division. Interestingly enough, from the 1920s to the 1980’s the matches went 15 rounds, but that was changed after an individual died in the ring in 1982. The professionals are the best of the best, and that is why going to a professional match will be a real treat.
Why do the rounds take that long?
You might find in interesting that all of the rounds in the more advanced classifications always take three rounds. There are many different reasons for that. Keep some of the following considerations in mind:
A 3-minute boxing round is very taxing.
When you consider all that boxing entails, three minutes can seem like an eternity. Just take a look at your typical professional boxing match and give it some thought. The average boxer has to account for landing all of the right punches – such as the jab, cross, hook, and uppercut – but they also have to defend against all kinds of different boxing styles.
A boxing round is only three minutes to avoid potential medical concerns.
One of the main reasons why a boxing round is only three minutes is for the same reason that the total bout has been shortened to 12 rounds instead of 15. Such issues as dehydration and fatigue can start to set in after three minutes. Add a couple of heavy blows to this, and you could easily have a concussion.
The round minutes are shorter for women and amateurs.
Of course, the other wrinkle is that the round minutes are shorter for different classes. One example would be the women, who only box for two minutes instead of three. Part of the reason that the World Boxing Council (WBC) will only sanction a women’s round for two minutes is that they realize they are built differently than men.
All of these factors are taken into account when determining how long a boxing round should be.