Should Boxers Be Penalized For Pulling Groin Protector Up To Cover the Body?

I greatly dislike the fact that referees basically get a free pass on what they do, or in this case what they don't do, in the ring. We've seen refs make major mistakes in the ring and receive no due punishments. When was the last time a referee was punished for making a mistake in the ring?

I was watching some older fights today, and I noticed a boxer go to his corner, and then when he got up, his team had yanked his groin guard so far up that it was partially covering his liver and half his lower torso. This gave him extra padding for body shots. I know he did it because he had been previously hurt to the body. He's not the only one I've seen do this before. I've seen plenty of there boxers pull this trick in the ring. But shouldn't there be some penalty for having your groin protector that high up the body? I consider it cheating. It's almost as if he's wearing a body shield in there. If anyone on here does or has worked as a professional referee or has some knowledge on this, why is this behavior allowed to occur in a fight? It's almost as if a boxer goes to his corner, and when he comes out for the next round, he's wearing headgear. What's the deal? Good post, it definitely seemed to occur more back in the day but I do see it from time to time now. I think a rule should be to allow it once but start taking a point for each time it happens again during a fight.

Had a feeling this was about the Yarde fight :lol1: That thing was right up to his top set of abs, and it was a big, thick protector too.

usyk is against this being penalized

that's true. I'm trying to remember the fight where I saw a ref do that. I think it was Jack Riess reffing. But I have seen it where they ignore it. But you know how you can get a high cut and low cut no foul guard? In that photo of Yarde, he's wearing a high cut. That's typically what's used in sparring. The low cut doesn't exactly cover the kidney area. Shouldn't there just be a rule that no high cut protectors be allowed? If that were the case, this would never be an issue. These guys are wearing these massive no foul protectors and having them up really high. It's definitely an advantage. You can see that the body shots tend to land on the protector, so definitely a lot of steam is being taken off of those shots. I think it's really strange that these large protectors are being allowed. Usually high cuts are not just used in sparring but also by taller or longer torso'd fighters. Either way, i agree that when they are coming out of the shorts, they (corner and boxer) should be told to bring them down. If refs can stop time for a mouth piece they should do the same for that as well. Or if they don't call time, make it known that punches can land where initially told in the dressing room and in the ring b4 the fight commences. I remember smoger literally pulling shorts up over the guard and pushing the shorts and protector down to the correct poaition on a fighter. Fury for what ever reason tends to get his protector pulled up high or some times pops out too.

Refs job to tell them where it's allowed. Seen plenty of refs tell boxers, when they have em up to high, where they'll allow punches to land on that fighters body Have also seen refs, during the course of a fight when the guard is too high, pull them down. Actually, in that Yarde fight with Beterbiev, the ref completely ignored that Yarde's protector was nearly up to his pectorals. So that's an example where nothing was done about it.

Refs job to tell them where it's allowed. Seen plenty of refs tell boxers, when they have em up to high, where they'll allow punches to land on that fighters body Have also seen refs, during the course of a fight when the guard is too high, pull them down. that's true. I'm trying to remember the fight where I saw a ref do that. I think it was Jack Riess reffing. But I have seen it where they ignore it. But you know how you can get a high cut and low cut no foul guard? In that photo of Yarde, he's wearing a high cut. That's typically what's used in sparring. The low cut doesn't exactly cover the kidney area. Shouldn't there just be a rule that no high cut protectors be allowed? If that were the case, this would never be an issue. These guys are wearing these massive no foul protectors and having them up really high. It's definitely an advantage. You can see that the body shots tend to land on the protector, so definitely a lot of steam is being taken off of those shots. I think it's really strange that these large protectors are being allowed.

Refs job to tell them where it's allowed. Seen plenty of refs tell boxers, when they have em up to high, where they'll allow punches to land on that fighters body Have also seen refs, during the course of a fight when the guard is too high, pull them down.

Yes, it should be banned. Main reason of body shots are ruining opponent's stamina rather than KO. It should really be protective against it. It doesn't only provide less pain but also more energy. Yeah. I can't believe it's not even addressed in the ring. I think I've only seen it once addressed. I think there's a rule where you can' wear a kidney protector under the trunks. I think you can only wear a normal foul protector. Some of these guys are wearing the larger kidney protectors. I don't know how it's allowed.

Just in case someone is wondering what I'm talking about, here's an example. This is from a fight at the beginning of this year between Artur Beterbiev and Anthony Yarde. Look at Yarde's goin protector. He has it so far up that it's almost to his pectoral muscles. How he was able to do this and not crush his testicles is a mystery. {"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","title":"skysports-artur-beterbiev-anthony-yarde_6039466.jpg?20230128232735.jpg","data-attachmentid":32108780}