Celebrated South Africa-based boxer Isaac ‘Golden Boy’ Chilemba has faulted World Boxing Council’s (WBC) decision to reduce all its affiliated championship fights from 12 to 10 rounds.
The WBC, based on the recommendation of its medical committee, voted unanimously only world championship and silver championship fights to be authorized for 12 rounds.
World Championship and Silver Championship bouts will remain at 12 rounds. But the committee has furthermore recommended that regional championships be fought over eight rounds, which usually includes fighters with a lower experience profile.
But Chilemba, a former super middleweight International Boxing Organisation (WBO) world champion, said the move would promote laziness on the part of boxers.
“I think its ridiculous. I know they [WBC] are concentrating on small titles such as international/intercontinental and silver belts, but still it is taking away the value of professional boxing and boxers will become lazy.”
In a statement issued earlier this week, WBC stated that the move is aimed at helping to prevent serious injuries in the ring.
In 1983, the world boxing body reduced championship fights from 15 to 12 rounds.
Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board president Lonzoe ‘Defector’ Zimba confirmed receiving communication on the changes.
“I know there will be mixed reactions, but in the end it is it`s the WBC`s duty to implement rules to protect boxers. I believe they are looking at protecting many of the young fighters, who are moving up into the championship rounds,” he said Zimba also said elimination fights have been reduced from 10 rounds to eight.
