Pros and Cons of Having 12 3-Minute Rounds for Women’s Boxing, Was Amanda Serrano’s Stand Against WBC by Vacating Titles Warranted?

Equality before titles and money. That’s the principle Amanda Serrano wants to live by. Her recent bold and drastic step of denouncing the WBC Featherweight strap has again put gender disparities in the boxing world in the limelight. While some might hotly debate her rationale and her decision’s effectiveness, it’s clear that the Puerto Rican boxer wants to bridge the gap between the two boxing halves. But has she gone too far, or will her step trigger a chain reaction?

Serrano recently fought a historic 12-round, three-minute round fight against Danila Ramos on October 27. Layla McCarter was the last boxer to fight under the same rules but in 2017. ‘The Real Deal’ is adamant about bringing the revolutionary change women boxers have demanded for the better half of the last decade. It wasn’t until the 2000s, due to Laila Ali and Christy Martin‘s exploits in the ring, that women’s boxing received traction.

Amanda Serrano: relinquishing title to condemn gender disparity

The Featherweight champion recently turned to her Instagram handle and announced her decision to let go of her WBC title. The WBC was the sole sanctioning body that refused to green-light her bout with Ramos. In the past, the WBC has held its ground and played the safety concern card to not bring men’s and women’s boxing on par.

“Moving forward if a sanctioning body doesn’t want to give me and my fellow fighters the choice to fight the same as the men, then I will not be fighting for that sanctioning body. The WBC has refused to evolve the sport for equality. So I am relinquishing their title,” Serrano wrote on Instagram.

Serrano has been at the helm of positive changes in women’s boxing. Last year, she squared off against Katie Taylor in Madison Square Garden’s first-ever women’s boxing event. In addition, both boxers collected a guaranteed $1 million, among the highest purses in women’s boxing.

Meanwhile, Canelo Alvarez takes home close to $40 million for one outing. Women’s boxing needs 3-minute round fights. It can pique interest in women’s boxing and improve PPV numbers. Stoppage and knockout victories are hard to earn in 2-minute round fights. Exciting fights and boxers getting dropped to the mat are what fans want.

The Choice, the diverging contentions, and the need for 3-minute round fights

A knockout artist will sell more tickets, and vicious knockout punches will generate more interest. That’s the ideal situation for publicity in boxing. However, fights going to the distance and the chances of judges deciding the fight’s outcome can invite controversy and, therefore, flak from fans.

But can the women boxers endure the toll of fighting 3-minute round fights? That’s not the right question. The right question is whether female fighters have a choice. The same was addressed when female boxers released the statement ‘Choice’ in October 2023. Chantelle Cameron, Seniesa Estrada, Holly Holm, Shadasia Green, Laila Ali, and Ramla Ali, among others, signed the statement.

“We are advocating for the ability to choose,” said Amanda Serrano. “Female boxers compete in MMA with 5-minute rounds, the same as their male counterparts. Even in bare-knuckle boxing, women and men compete with the same rules.”

Read More: “Proud To See You Represent Our Sport So Well”: Muhammad Ali’s Daughter Laila Ali Joins Holly Holm In Congratulating Amanda Serrano For Winning Historical Fight In Recent Picture

Women’s boxing has remained under-promoted and under-compensated. The female boxers want to showcase their skills in three-minute round fights and ensure the fights create a buzz. But Katie Taylor is skeptical. The Irish fighter disclosed to the Associated Press, “I don’t think that’s true [more knockouts due to the three-minute round]. I don’t know if women’s boxing has the strength and depth to have three-minute rounds really.”

The WBC’s ‘safety’ concerns

Only a handful of female boxers have the gas tank to go 12 rounds, 3 minutes each. Besides, safety concerns have dominated the discussions whenever the issue has been brought up. Mia St. John also expressed her unwavering support for WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman in a conversation with EssentiallySports.

“I’m all for safety and I just feel like the majority of the deaths that happen in boxing happen in the later rounds. So, I’m gonna have to agree with Mauricio here,” St. John told EssentiallySports. Sulaiman has pointed out tennis and basketball whenever deliberating the same.

Is that a plausible reason to hinder the growth of women’s boxing? No. Promoter Bob Arum has revealed his desire to sign more female boxers if a three-minute round fight becomes the norm. That brings excitement to women’s boxing and solves the issues of under-promotion and under-compensation. Serrano has bitten the bullet, and the ball is now in the WBC’s court.

What do you make of this step by Amanda Serrano? Do you believe it will tie the WBC’s hands and force them to bring about changes? Let us know in the comments below.

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