Did draws used to be more common?

[StarshipTrooper]

Was the number of rounds indefinite as well? And there used to be no judges, even after deciding on 15 rounds as a limit? So how long before they then added judges' scores?

I'm pretty sure judges didn't come into play until after the Marquiss de Queensbury rules were adopted. Before that I believe fights either had a set number of rounds were if it went the distance a "no contest" was declared or there was a newspaper decision, or were set as a "fight to the finish" ie. one of the participents couldn't continue.

Poet

[Miburo]

Under the old London Ring Rules system rounds were indefinate times: The round ended when a fighter was knocked down or a fighter's back touched the ropes. Rounds could conceivably be 10 seconds long.....or 10 minutes.

Poet

This prevented draws from happening because the fight went on until one side forfeited (from exhaustion or punishment) or was stopped by a 30 count. One could also take a knee at any point without penalty, which would end the round and I imagine led to massive stalling tactics, especially after taking a big shot. Also standing grappling and throws were just as much a part of the sport as punching at the time. Thus 100+ round fights were common.