Question about Boxing Gloves in Professional Boxing Matches

[Fight Whisperer]

Something that has always confused me about the gloves used in boxing matches, why is it that different fighters can use different brands of boxing gloves?

In most of the upper tier MMA organizations, fighters pretty much wear the same brand of gloves, provided by the organization. For example (I might be wrong about the exact brands), UFC uses the Ouano fight gloves, Strikeforce uses Fairtex, Bellator uses Everlast, etc. It just seems like this would be better suited for creating a more even playing field.

But then in HBO Boxing, Showtime Boxing, and other upper echelon professional boxing events, you could see a boxer in Cleto-Reyes gloves fighting a guy with Grants, or Rivals fighting a guy with Everlasts etc. It just seems like fighters in this case can just choose a brand that tightly packs the foam making it more dense and harder. Do they allow this in order for fighters to get more sponsorship money? Having a diverse choice in gloves, it seems, would just provide another variable in a fight that could give 1 boxer an advantage in a match over another.

Are fighters required to bring their own fight gloves? I would assume in MMA, promotions like the UFC, Strikeforce, Bellator, Dream FC, etc. provide the fighters with the gloves. It would seem that this is also a better way to reduce the likelihood that a fighter might come to a fight with gloves that might be loaded with foreign material, that could give them an advantage in a fight.

Why aren't brand gloves standardized in professional boxing events?

 

[Higus]

That a great question, and I'm sure someone will have a more in depth answer than I can offer, but I'm almost positive that it is because it of individual sponsors. I doubt that there is much differences in their construction that would effect the fight significantly. The gloves are also inspected by commissions before they are approved to go into the fight, so the brand is looked at to see if it provides some sort of unfair advantage before going in.

 

[Snowman3459]

I think UFC gloves are made by Century btw.

Besides that, I really don't know the answer to that. Never really thought about it to be honest. Only the top orgs in MMA do that actually. Hmm

 

[dtravis92]

It's all in the contract, most fights have both boxers using the same brand, however sometimes they want different ones for different reasons. For example, Pacquiao wants it in his contract that he gets to use Cleto Reyes gloves, as they are a notorious punchers glove and the padding is hard. Mayweather wants to use Winning gloves because he has fragile hands and winning protects hands the best. Some fighters prefer wider puffier gloves so that they can cover up more effectively also.

 

[Kozbot]

sometimes what kind of gloves a boxer wears does matter

sometimes there is a provision in the contract requiring or preventing the use of certain gloves. Reyes gloves have harder padding and are known as being a "puncher's glove"

 

[Fight Whisperer]

I see, but I wonder why would the boxing and/or state athletic commissions allow boxers to have these options and requests in their fight contracts.

I guess glove choice ends up being part of the game plan for each boxing match.

 

[mrpopenfresh]

I think it's a marketing decision, like hockey players wear a CCM Helmet, a boxer will use a Grant boxing glove. I think as long as it's the required weight it's ok.

 

[KyleInAction]

I see, but I wonder why would the boxing and/or state athletic commissions allow boxers to have these options and requests in their fight contracts.

I guess glove choice ends up being part of the game plan for each boxing match.

Because it's a free market. The State Athletic Commissions couldn't choose a single brand, that would bring about anti-trust issues. They can only set standards and approve gloves for competition. The UFC is a privately held organization, and can choose whichever brand they want.

In the UFC, fighters don't negotiate their fights. They have a contract with the organization, and the organization dictates all aspects of the fights. In boxing, fighters are in control (unless they let their promoter take control), and do negotiate their own fights. That's why.

 

[wildman1717]

It's all in the contract, most fights have both boxers using the same brand, however sometimes they want different ones for different reasons. For example, Pacquiao wants it in his contract that he gets to use Cleto Reyes gloves, as they are a notorious punchers glove and the padding is hard. Mayweather wants to use Winning gloves because he has fragile hands and winning protects hands the best. Some fighters prefer wider puffier gloves so that they can cover up more effectively also.

I agree with this.

 

[nip102]

fighters get to chose but the comission supplies and checks them.certain fighters are sponsored by some gloves so use them whereas other just choose their favourite type.both fighters have to agree on which type,size(8 or 10ounces) gloves are allowed during contract negotiations.
sometimes gloves can be used as a punishment method pacman once couldn't make weight so he had to use heavier gloves then his opponent.
khans rebock gloves where 9.3 ounces instead of 8 so he had to wear reyes like maidana

 

[nip102]

That a great question, and I'm sure someone will have a more in depth answer than I can offer, but I'm almost positive that it is because it of individual sponsors. I doubt that there is much differences in their construction that would effect the fight significantly. The gloves are also inspected by commissions before they are approved to go into the fight, so the brand is looked at to see if it provides some sort of unfair advantage before going in.

glove construction can play a big part.Cleto Reyes or punchers' gloves are small and compact, and more of the weight is distributed to the wrist as opposed to over the hand.they are also made of horsehair instead of foam you might as well be wearing ovenmitts, get hit with them you can feel the knuckles also cause cuts alot.Grant boxing gloves are larger and cushier . More of the weight is placed into the hand as opposed to the wrist, offering increased protection of a fighter's hands.they can also be used to help defense; easier to block with them.Then there are winning gloves from *** that offer a tonof protection but aren't as bulky fast fighters with bad hands like floyd wear these

 

[mrpopenfresh]

Because it's a free market. The State Athletic Commissions couldn't choose a single brand, that would bring about anti-trust issues. They can only set standards and approve gloves for competition. The UFC is a privately held organization, and can choose whichever brand they want.

In the UFC, fighters don't negotiate their fights. They have a contract with the organization, and the organization dictates all aspects of the fights. In boxing, fighters are in control (unless they let their promoter take control), and do negotiate their own fights. That's why.

While I understand what your'e saying, the promoter putting on the fight is also a free enterprise, so they don't have different rules regarding the Athletic comissions than mma orgs. Athletic comissions have as much importance in MMA than in boxing.

 

[Bwaiirr]

My MMA gym participates in an amateur organisation called Underground MMA. This org provides gloves for all fighters and the brands are varied to what the fighter wishes to use. One of the sponsors are Triumph United so you're able to use their gloves and there are also two other brands. (not sure what they are because they aren't really that well known)

 

[KyleInAction]

While I understand what your'e saying, the promoter putting on the fight is also a free enterprise, so they don't have different rules regarding the Athletic comissions than mma orgs. Athletic comissions have as much importance in MMA than in boxing.

Sorry, I didn't think that I was implying that mma was somehow not regulated by the athletic commissions. I was trying to say that athletic commissions themselves cannot favor a particular manufacturer, but that they can only inspect, and approve (and I think someone else mentioned supply, which I didn't know but makes sense) gloves. The promotions can choose, because they are free enterprise.

 

[koreankid6413]

Certain gloves provide certain protection and so called "advantages" for each personal fighter. As said before, Reyes are more of a punchers glove where the weight is distributed more evenly "mexican style" and is known as a punchers glove. Pacquiao uses them in his fights. They fit well to his quick, burst style of punches and he doesn't do much covering up that would require knuckle for the glove.

Andre Ward uses Everlasts. I know that Andre and his trainer Virgil are very cautious about injuries and methodical in their training and fighting. They wouldn't risk a broken hand and therefore use the thicker Everlasts to protect his hand where the weight is more so in the head of the glove instead spread out more evenly. It also fits with Andre's style as he sticks and moves, uses his feet and defense and will have more opportunities to cover up and defend providing more protection for him.

Lonsdale and Rival being English and Canadian brands, such fighters may prefer those glove being from the country such as Ricky Hatton or Gatti (even though I don't think he ever wore Rivals). To be honest though, I don't see Rivals used in many fights these days.

Hope this helps but furthermore, hope this is right lol

 

[chino0503]

just so u guys know... reyes gloves r padded with HORSE HAIR... they dont have hard padding at all. haha in fact in the knuckle area they r barely even padded. all the padding is in the back of the hand and thumb.

these r the closest things to boxing with oven mitts

 

[thirteen]

N'ah.
Don't you know boxing gloves are huge foam filled pillows that remove all trace of impact?
(joking)
Well that's what a lot of MMA fans think... :icon_neut

 

[xilliun]

just so u guys know... reyes gloves r padded with HORSE HAIR... they dont have hard padding at all. haha in fact in the knuckle area they r barely even padded. all the padding is in the back of the hand and thumb.

these r the closest things to boxing with oven mitts

Don't athletic commissions have any guidelines for appropriate gloves? That reyes description sounds a bit archaic :redface:

 

[chino0503]

Don't athletic commissions have any guidelines for appropriate gloves? That reyes description sounds a bit archaic :redface:

these gloves are padded. just not so much on the knuckles. gloves are used to protect the hands and prevent cuts. im sure they have guidelines like weight and construction (thumbs sewn down).

different fighters use different gloves according to style and attributes. if ur a volume puncher with no power and brittle hands... its not smart to use reyes.

these gloves are ideal for a fighter like pacquiao. tons of speed and power. his def doesnt revolve around him catching punches on the gloves. and he' never had problems with his hands

 

[chino0503]

N'ah.
Don't you know boxing gloves are huge foam filled pillows that remove all trace of impact?
(joking)
Well that's what a lot of MMA fans think... :icon_neut

there isnt a huge different between 8oz and 4oz.... in fact the boxing gloves allow you to wrap your hands better so you can punch harder!! but the average fan dont know that