Sky Sports chief Adam Smith says ’70-80 per cent of female boxers want 12 three-minute rounds’

Adam Smith says 70-80 per cent of female boxers want to move to 12 three-minute rounds but insists high profile names like Claressa Shields must be vocal in their support to help push the transition over the line. 

As it stands, female boxers are allowed to fight for a maximum of 10 two-minute rounds. That is a full minute shorter and two rounds fewer than their male counterparts. 

Smith says there needs to be ‘parity’ between the men and the women. He also said there ‘should be a financial improvement’ if female boxers move to 12 three-minute rounds.  

Adam Smith says 70-80 per cent of female boxers want to move to 12 three-minute rounds

Smith spoke exclusively to Sportsmail following the success of the first-ever all-female boxing event at the O2 on October 15. 

The event – which was presented by Sky Sports and promoted by BOXXER – became the most-watched women’s professional boxing event in history.

Speaking after the fight took place, Smith discussed the possibility of female boxing moving to 12 three-minute rounds. 

He said: ‘There is definitely scope to do it. I obviously talk to the female fighters a great deal and the majority – I would say 70-80 per cent – are in favour of moving to three-minute rounds. 

Smith has said high profile names like Claressa Shields (left) must be vocal in their support

‘I think they want parity. I think they see the men fight 12 three-minute rounds. The only thing I can say and I’m not a doctor but maybe [it can’t happen] if there is any medical reasons why the male and female body are different. 

‘There may be some argument that 12 three-minute rounds aren’t safe. I don’t know. that is the only reason I can see as an argument against it. And I speak to every female fights. They are for it. 

‘They won’t make for as many fast and furious fights. That’s what 10 two-minute round are giving us at the moment but they will make for even more intriguing fights – especially in the top level.’

Smith went on to explain how he had spoken to Robert Smith at the British Boxing Board of Control. He said the BBBofC were on board with the idea of moving to 12 three-minute rounds. 

Shields (R) claimed a stunning win over Savannah Marshall (L) at the O2 earlier this month

However, he said it was ‘ultimately up to what the women want’ and insisted high-profile athletes like Sheilds must speak up to help push the transition over the line. 

Smith said: ‘It is about moving towards parity. If we can move to 12 3-minute rounds and everyone is in favour I think it would be great.

‘I have spoken to Robert Smith at the British Boxing board and they are very much in favour. It is up to what the women want ultimately, but there are governing bodies. 

‘With Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall they were fighting for all the treasure. They were fighting for all the undisputed titles. 

‘Were two or three of those in favour of 10 two-minute rounds and the others in favour of 10 or 12 three-minute rounds – maybe. 

The Sky Sports chief says there needs to be ‘parity’ between men and women in boxing

However, Smith has said they are not quite ‘there yet’ with the women’s side of the sport

‘We need to work on that but Katie Taylor has set the standards. Calessira Shields which you saw on Saturday is the self acclaimed GWOAT and it is really up to those women to start shouting about it if they really want it. 

‘If it is what they really want, I know we will do everything we can to support that. I think it’s a real possibility but I think there is still a long way to go on it.’

Although the women’s side of the sport has started to gain a foothold, there is still plenty of work to be done before it reaches the heights of male boxing. 

Smith said they are ‘not there yet with the equality of pay’ but insisted the likes of Katie Taylor, Brian Peters and Eddie Hearn were paving the way. 

He told Sportsmail: ‘There was a great deal of money that was needed to fund Saturday night. You can ask everyone involved in that. There was a huge amount of money put in that. 

 Smith says likes of Katie Taylor, Brian Peters and Eddie Hearn were paving the way for women

Katie Taylor is back in the ring on Saturday evening when she faces Karen Elizabeth Carbajal

‘So, we are not there yet with the equality of pay. But, Katie Taylor, Brian Peters and Eddie Hearn have done everything they can to make sure Katie gets paid very well for what she does. And she does. 

‘But if you look at the numbers surrounding lets say Fury and Joshua – there are huge noughts after the numbers. We are not there yet but we are certainly moving in the right direction.

‘I agree with Claressa 100 per cent that if they move to 12 three-minute rounds there should be a financial improvement. I have no doubt the sport will get to that through the sponsorship and the commercial aspect that will come off fight nights like Saturday. 

‘I think in the next three or four years you are going to see a massive acceleration in all of this. It’s just fantastic to watch it all unfold. It’s something we have dreamt of. It’s about time and now is the time.