The distance (boxing)
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The distance is a boxing slang term used to refer to boxing matches that last the maximum number of rounds, with the match either tied or be decided by points decision.
Until the 1980s many championship fights were a maximum of 15 rounds. This changed, though, following the death of Duk Koo Kim after his 14 round fight with Ray Mancini.
Following studies which showed that fighters sustain the most damage after the twelfth round, the World Boxing Council shortened its title fights to a maximum of 12 rounds. The World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization followed suit in 1988 and the International Boxing Federation did so in 1989.
Non-title fights can be of any length under 12 rounds but are typically 10 rounds or fewer.
"Going the distance" was featured prominently in the 1976 film Rocky in which Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed fight 15 rounds for the World Heavyweight Championship. Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) and Creed (Carl Weathers) nearly "go the distance" again in their rematch in 1979's Rocky II. Balboa's final fight against Mason "The Line" Dixon in Rocky Balboa lasts the maximum of 10 rounds.
