Why was the De La Hoya/Forbes fight 12 rounds???

Question

I thought there had to be a championship on the line to go into "the championship rounds" and I pretty sure neither of these guys had a championship belt of any kind.........so can you just write up a contract for twelve rounds even if there is no belt up for grabs???

Answer 1

Neither Oscar nor Forbes had a title belt, but there have been many recent fights that were scheduled for 12 rounds without a title or a title eliminator being at stake.  Usually, 12 round fights are reserved for title fights and title eliminators, but a non-title fight can also be 12 rounds.  The Roy Jones, Jr.- Felix Trinidad fight had no title at stake, but was still a 12 round fight, same thing with Pavlik-Taylor 2 and the upcoming Mosley-Judah fight.  Plus, Oscar wanted to fight 12 rounds because it will best prepare him for his upcoming rematch with Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (which I think he'll still lose).  And since Oscar has had stamina issues in the past, it was another advantage for him to make the fight scheduled for 12 rounds, and since he is the richest fighter in the sport, he can pretty much do whatever he wants in terms of making fights how he wants them to be made.

Answer 2

Because the ITB (Idiots that Be) have recently decided that if a fight is a TITLE ELIMINATOR it can be given the same accompaniments as an actual title fight.  That means 12 rounds.  It's stupid, but let's not pretend that this is the only thing that is stupid about this sport we all love.  

Have you heard the one about the "vacant interim title eliminator"?  Man. .  they will come up with ANY reason to make a fight 12 rounds and strap a belt around a dude's waist!!!

Answer 3

at age 35 DE la hoya does not have the same power punch that he use to have.and forbes never been knock down in hes career

Answer 4

Since it was a "tune up" for Oscar and he has a habit of fading in the later rounds I think he wanted the fight to be 12 rounds to prepare him for Mayweather. De La Hoya was able to come in with the proper conditioning and was able to prove to himself he still had enough steam to finish strong. He will need at least the same amount of conditioning against Mayweather but more than likely he will need more because he will have to chase Mayweather down which will take its toll if he isn't prepared for every scenerio.

Yes usually if it is a high profile fight even if it isn't a title fight it will be scheduled for 12 rounds as was the Roy Jones/Felix Trinidad fight and the Ricardo Mayorga/Fernando Vargas fight and the nontitle Pavlik/Taylor II fight which was at a catchweight.