Sulaiman rips Estrada-Esparza 3-minute rounds

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Three-minute rounds were used in the bloody grudge match between female flyweights Seniesa “Superbad” Estrada (18-0, 7 KOs) and Marlen Esparza (7-1, 1 KOs) for the vacant WBA interim title.

Estradaesparza
Photo: Tom Hogan-Hoganphotos/Golden Boy

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman was at ringside. “A matter of great concern to us was the fact that the women’s fight was held with three-minute rounds, contrary to the rule established for women’s boxing of two minutes,” said Sulaiman. “The Nevada commission and the WBA allowed three-minute rounds to fight.

“Several medical studies indicate that women have an 80% higher risk of having a concussion and their recovery is much longer. Athlete safety is the top priority for the WBC. There is a very clear formula: dehydration + fatigue + strong blow = concussion.

“The WBC does not accept rounds of three minutes and the round limit is ten, contrary to the three minutes and twelve rounds of men’s boxing. The more action you have, dehydration and fatigue is greater, and that’s when the blows to the head cause irreparable damage.”

Kovalev: I didn't recover from my last fight
Kingry targets Linares and Campbell

Top Boxing News

PLEASE READ
We have a few rules to make our comment section more enjoyable for everyone.
1. Keep comments related to boxing.
2. Be respectful, polite and keep it clean.
3. Personal attacks will not be tolerated.
Offending posts will be removed.
Repeat offenders will be put on moderation.
  • These females know what they’re getting in to. Why make it easier for them? They always want equal rights right? let it go.

    • Well said Arturo. Women, u wanna box at the pro level, then it shld be 3 minute rounds for u too. No exceptions. Im sure the real women fighters wld agree with that

  • I believe that sanctioning body leaders have a conscience. I also believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny & the Tooth Fairy.

  • Have to agree with him here. What’s the point of making the most dangerous sport in the world… more dangerous? Fans are not clamoring for 3 minute rounds in women’s boxing. All it does is raise the risk of injury.

  • Except that this is the same ignorant argument used to introduce headgear to amateur boxing. A practice shown to dramatically increase the number of closed head injuries in amateur boxers.

    Fighting 2 minute rounds will INCREASE concussions, not decrease them. Because fighters who should be knocked out get time to recover and take more blows.

  • “The WBC does not accept rounds of three minutes..”. It’s not for the WBC to accept. Move on buddy, you have no authority here.

  • >