Beard regulations ???

Beard ban has nothing to do with cushion. It has to do with judges not being able to see if punches land flush on the chin, and the fact that a beard can be used as a weapon during clinches, rub it in the eyes, cut, etc.

Conor McGregor didn't have to shave his beard for the Floyd Mayweather fight either. Maybe you only have to shave it if your opponent protests the beard.

Something must be done about Jono Carroll........

Just as a little addendum though I think the original rules on beards that were until quite recently still upheld in the ammys and may still be on the books for various governing bodies have a lot more to do with appearances and proprities that have carried over from previous eras than to any practical advantages or hazards a beard might confer.... although I did just run across a comment that stated one reason beards remained prohibited in the ammys so long was to make sure facial cuts and damage could be properly seen and assesed. :dunno:

...that's how I feel about beard as cushion at least, which is what I remember being cited as the main concern when I've seen the topic of facial hair in combat sports crop up before. But I can defnitely see other ways in which it could it be advantageous, or at least disadvantage to opponent. As a trap for sweat and debris that could really mess up an opponent in the clench by obscuring vision. Or by way of additional "splash" from the beard on punch impact. Maybe? I've heard before that it's allowed just as long as it's trimmed a certain length and that the jawline can be seen. But like you said, if one were to have a beard in a fight and have a bloody mouth dripping and settling in the beard over the course of the fight that mess can't be good for the other opponent. And someone here mentioned potential of eye abrasions. I can see they made Broner & Tyson Fury shave beard completely off and if there is a rule on this, none of the profighters should enter the ring with it.

I've seen the argument that a beard could irritate the opponents eyes (in the case of a longer beard) or any cuts in the clinch, which actually seems a considerably more legitimate concern than the 'punch cushion' theory which to me seems flat ridiculous. It ain't gonna protect you from the impact of a punch but it might offer some protection from grazes or abrasions and conversely make the opponents face more likely to graze or redden when the heads rub together. The abrasion angle is s good point, hadn't really considered that one. I agree that of all potential anti-beard arguments, cushion definitely feels the most preposterous by a landslide. It's hair. Thin and flimsy, barely more a buffer than the air between the opponent's first and my chin. It will provide about as much resistance to punches thrown with purpose and resolve as a post-it note stuck to my chin.

...that's how I feel about beard as cushion at least, which is what I remember being cited as the main concern when I've seen the topic of facial hair in combat sports crop up before. But I can defnitely see other ways in which it could it be advantageous, or at least disadvantage to opponent. As a trap for sweat and debris that could really mess up an opponent in the clench by obscuring vision. Or by way of additional "splash" from the beard on punch impact. Maybe? I've seen the argument that a beard could irritate the opponents eyes (in the case of a longer beard) or any cuts in the clinch, which actually seems a considerably more legitimate concern than the 'punch cushion' theory which to me seems flat ridiculous. It ain't gonna protect you from the impact of a punch but it might offer some protection from grazes or abrasions and conversely make the opponents face more likely to graze or redden when the heads rub together.

If you're good, you'd KO a bearded guy. If you're bad you'd be KOd even with a huge beard.

The only beard regulations imposed by commissions is that you can not have a beard on your forehead, I think. :lol1: But in Nevada you can't have on your back or shoulders.

The only beard regulations imposed by commissions is that you can not have a beard on your forehead, I think.

Yeah I mean I’d be more concerned with thick tight dreadlocks, or knotted breads on the side of the head being more of a cushion, but they’d have to be an amount of hair equivalent to adding noticeable weight to a glove. But u can add Vaseline to a beard also. Still I don’t think a regular beard can be much of a quantifiable advantage. If u had a long beard and rolled it into tight curls against ur chin then yes I could see that as an advantage. Princess Leia’s hairdo would be an advantage most likely.

the argument against beards is ****ing idiotic and hypocritical Some people have long arms and/or are much taller. Should we allow all other boxers to wear height inserts in their shoes?

...that's how I feel about beard as cushion at least, which is what I remember being cited as the main concern when I've seen the topic of facial hair in combat sports crop up before. But I can defnitely see other ways in which it could it be advantageous, or at least disadvantage to opponent. As a trap for sweat and debris that could really mess up an opponent in the clench by obscuring vision. Or by way of additional "splash" from the beard on punch impact. Maybe?

I'm all for consistency either way, but my thoughts on beard-as-advantage theory can be distilled to: Yeah, my graying beard is the majestic shield that makes the difference between Deontay Wilder liquifying my brain or not. That's it. I think you get the gist.

I remember reading that it's up to the opponent.