Turki Alalshikh, head of Riyadh Season and chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, has shot down the idea of certain fights going back to the 15 round limit.

For decades, championship fights were contested at the 15 round distance. That scenario began to change in 1982, following the death of lightweight Duk Koo Kim. He took significant punishment in his 14 round title fight with Ray Mancini. In the aftermath, the WBC stipulated that all future world title bouts would be set for 12 rounds. The other sanctioning bodies would eventually follow the same path.

In a recent statement, WBA President Gilberto Mendoza revealed that his organization would entertain the idea of certain contests being elevated to the 15 round distance.

“WBA may think about approving it in a trial mode, for certain high caliber opposition between the boxers,” Mendoza stated.

According to several studies, the brain becomes more susceptible to damage after the 12th round. Additionally, many health experts believe that the 15-round distance greatly increased the risk of dehydration and exhaustion.

Alalshikh agrees that a boxer's health would be placed at a significantly greater risk of injury if the fight distance was pushed up to 15 rounds.

"No, I don't support this idea in any way. This is bad for a fighter's health and I would never be in favor of fights going back to 15 rounds. In my opinion, even a 12 round fight could be too much for a fighter's health, but 15 rounds is out of the question. A 15 round fight should never be allowed to happen," Alalshikh stated.