Boxing has always been a sport where equality and toughness are admired. Yet, here we are in 2025, and elite female boxers are still fighting 10 two-minute rounds instead of the standard 12 three-minute rounds their male counterparts enjoy. Honestly, what’s going on here? Let’s talk openly about why women’s boxing deserves 3-minute rounds and what’s holding the sport back.
Why are women limited to two-minute rounds?
To be blunt, boxing organisations still seem to view women’s boxing as little more than a token inclusion exercise rather than genuinely respecting female fighters as elite athletes. Women put just as much blood, sweat, and tears into their training as the men do—yet when fight night comes, they’re restricted by shorter rounds. This inevitably means less time to execute strategies and often fewer dramatic finishes, which fans love to see. I’ve discussed previously on my site about why round length really matters in women’s boxing.
Imagine the excitement of proper championship rounds
Think back just a few weeks to Natasha Jonas vs Laura Price at the iconic Royal Albert Hall. What a fantastic fight—intense, dramatic, and fought at a relentless pace. Now imagine if these two warriors had been given the full 12 rounds, at three minutes per round, rather than the shorter format forced upon them. It was already an epic showdown, but giving them the full championship distance could’ve elevated the bout to legendary status.
Controversies expose underlying inequalities
Interestingly, the inequality starts even before female boxers step into the ring. On the day of the weigh-in for Jonas vs Price, scales weren’t correctly calibrated. Seriously? Imagine the backlash if this kind of oversight had happened at a men’s world-title event. Absolute uproar, that’s what we’d have seen. But because it involved women’s boxing, people seem less bothered. This isn’t acceptable. Boxing is a gruelling sport, and women work every bit as hard as men to make weight. Mistakes like these show a lack of seriousness towards the women’s division.
Safety concerns or just excuses?
There’s been some talk recently around the WBA’s 15-round fight proposal and potential safety issues (read more here). Yes, safety is important, but using safety as an excuse to keep women’s boxing restricted to shorter rounds seems like an outdated argument. Female boxers deserve better than patronising excuses. With rigorous training and medical precautions, there’s absolutely no reason women can’t safely compete over the full 12 three-minute rounds.
Equality means equal opportunities and earnings
Let’s not forget money. If women’s boxing matches were standardised to 12 three-minute rounds, promoters, broadcasters, and sponsors would see these fights as equal draws. Let’s remember Jonas vs Price wasn’t just a great fight—it was an all-female card, and guess what? It sold out the Royal Albert Hall. Imagine how much more interest, exposure, and income would flood into women’s boxing if governing bodies took it seriously enough to implement three-minute rounds universally. More equality in the ring inevitably leads to equality at the box office.
My personal take
Personally, I strongly believe that women’s boxing 3-minute rounds should be standard at elite levels. It’s frustrating to see talented female fighters repeatedly denied the same opportunities men enjoy. Boxing needs to move beyond token gestures and genuinely embrace equality. If this happens, we’ll see even more incredible, action-packed bouts like Jonas vs Price and ensure women’s boxing finally gets the full respect it deserves (read more on women in boxing here).
Looking ahead, we have the highly anticipated trilogy fight between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano in July. Taking place at Madison Square Garden, the Mecca of boxing, events don’t come much bigger than this. Now imagine if this historic showdown were set for 12 three-minute rounds instead of the usual 10 two-minute format. It would elevate the contest from a great event to an absolutely legendary night, cementing both fighters’ legacies forever. Let’s face it, we all know elite female fighters regularly spar three-minute rounds alongside men in training—so why not on fight night? It’s time to give these athletes the platform they deserve and truly let them shine.
It’s time for change!
It’s clear boxing organisations still have a long way to go when it comes to respecting women’s boxing. Three-minute rounds would be a huge step forward in terms of equality, excitement, and opportunities for female fighters.
Let’s spread the word! If you enjoyed reading my thoughts, please share this post, leave your comments below, and visit my website CMBoxing.co.uk for more honest takes and in-depth analysis on boxing. Let’s make the push for women’s boxing 3-minute rounds impossible to ignore.