Should it be mandatory for pro boxers to wear the same gloves?

[IanPullman]

I get why some fighters want glove variety, but having the same gloves could level the playing field a bit. Some brands have more padding in different areas, giving certain fighters an edge. If standard gloves were a thing, they'd need to be high-quality and fair for all weight classes. A good option would be something like what’s available on https://fightsupplies.co.uk since they offer solid gear for all fighters.

[CaptainAmerican]

On one hand, having all fighters wear the same gloves could ensure a level playing field and eliminate any potential advantages one type of glove might give over another. On the other hand, gloves are a personal choice for many fighters, impacting their comfort, protection, and style of fighting.

Maybe a middle ground would be to ensure that all gloves meet strict safety and padding distribution standards, while still allowing fighters to choose the brand and type that best suits their needs. What do you think?

[adamjones]

It's an interesting topic. On one hand I think it makes the most sense for both boxers to wear the same brand, that way no matter what the pros and cons of the glove in question are, neither man has an advantage over the other. On the other hand I do like the existence of different types of gloves to suit different needs, I.e. Mexican-made Reyes gloves made from horse hair for a stiffer impact, or the extra padding and cushion of Winning to protect one's hands.

There are problems with both scenarios. First of all, if they wear the same gloves who gets to decide the brand? Most likely whoever is the 'A-side' in negotiations, so one side will have an advantage in that sense regardless. Secondly and perhaps more importantly, most boxers with any kind of profile have an endorsement deal with a specific brand and I struggle to see how you would go about circumventing that considering the money involved.

What I don't like is the clear difference in the distribution of the padding between brands. There was controversy around the Everlast MX gloves because they have less padding over the knuckle and more around the wrist, for example. There needs to be some uniformity there. Another aspect which perhaps requires closer scrutiny is that aside from the just the weight of the glove, the size must also be chosen. Heavyweights have larger hands than welterweights (by and large) NOFS shirts, so while a heavyweight might have a 10oz. glove in XL, a welterweight would have a 10oz. glove in M. Both gloves weigh 10oz., but one is larger than the other to accommodate a larger pair of hands. This means that those ten ounces are spread more thinly across the surface of the larger glove, naturally, which opens the door for more shenanigans like those mentioned above.

The discussion around fighters wearing the same gloves stems from fairness and safety concerns. The main reason for matching gloves is to ensure both fighters have equal protection and avoid any advantage one fighter might gain from different gloves in terms of weight or padding. However, allowing fighters to choose their gloves based on comfort is also valid as long as they meet safety standards. Standardizing gloves or following the governing body's regulations would be the best way to ensure fairness and safety on fight night.

[AuroraEcho]

It's an interesting topic. On one hand I think it makes the most sense for both boxers to wear the same brand, that way no matter what the pros and cons of the glove in question are, neither man has an advantage over the other. On the other hand I do like the existence of different types of gloves to suit different needs, I.e. Mexican-made Reyes gloves made from horse hair for a stiffer impact, or the extra padding and cushion of Winning to protect one's hands.

There are problems with both scenarios. First of all, if they wear the same gloves who gets to decide the brand? Most likely whoever is the 'A-side' in negotiations, so one side will have an advantage in that sense regardless. Secondly and perhaps more importantly, most boxers with any kind of profile have an endorsement deal with a specific brand and I struggle to see how you would go about circumventing that considering the money involved.

What I don't like is the clear difference in the distribution of the padding between brands. There was controversy around the Everlast MX gloves because they have less padding over the knuckle and more around the wrist, for example. There needs to be some uniformity there. Another aspect which perhaps requires closer scrutiny is that aside from the just the weight of the glove, the size must also be chosen. Heavyweights have larger hands than welterweights (by and large), so while a heavyweight might have a 10oz. glove in XL, a welterweight would have a 10oz. glove in M. Both gloves weigh 10oz., but one is larger than the other to accommodate a larger pair of hands. This means that those ten ounces are spread more thinly across the surface of the larger glove, naturally, which opens the door for more shenanigans like those mentioned above.

I agree that A-side fighters forcing a particular glove on their opponent is a problem. If a glove is approved for competition, both fighters should have the right to choose what works best for them. Standardizing gloves might seem fair, but gloves affect comfort, protection, and punching style.

Wouldn't it make more sense to have stricter regulations on padding distribution instead of forcing everyone to wear the same model?

[MalevolentBite]

As long as the gloves are not "loaded" then it shouldn't matter. If it's that big of advantage then shouldn't they force all pro boxers to wear the same shoes and mouth pieces? Boxers with beards should be regulated too.

[boola]

i think they should be able to were whatever gloves they want to

[danielred]

Since Wardley - Clarke II, there's been some discussion here in the UK about whether or not fighters should always wear the same gloves as each other on fight night. I'm not sure where I stand on this.

Thoughts?

I can see both sides of this. On one hand, having fighters wear the same gloves could definitely make things more fair. Different gloves can affect things like padding, fit, and even weight, which might give one fighter an edge. If both guys are using the same gloves, it just makes sense to eliminate that variable.

But then again, gloves are a personal choice for a lot of fighters. They have their preferences for comfort, protection, and fit, which can make a big difference, especially when you're talking about long training camps and heavy punches. Forcing everyone to wear the same gloves could feel a bit restrictive.

It’s a tricky balance. Maybe it’s more about making sure that all gloves meet certain safety standards rather than mandating identical gloves. What do you think?

[4truth]

I'm thinking that if the glove is approved then it should be approved for use by all fighters. I also don't like that a-side fighters can impose a particular glove on their opponents, I don't think that should even be on the table.

[ELPacman]

I don't believe pro boxers should be required to wear the same anything on fight night.

As long as your gear is within regulation and approved by the governing commission then all is fair in my opinion. More often than not you are allowed to inspect gloves and wraps night before and prior to the fight. If a team has a serious concern then they should address it then and withdraw from the fight if they believe the rules are not being enforced.

There is a downside to wearing punchers gloves and that is damage to the hands. If you are durable enough to handle the repetitive impact then you should be allowed to as long as they are approved.

I think the fact that gloves can be considered "punchers gloves' is already an unfair advantage to one that is using those vs one who is not. I understand the person not wearing them probably doesn't want to injure their hand or already has a hand injury, but you cannot deny, this gives an advantage to the puncher. Especially if that puncher's hands do not have a problem wearing these gloves and is totally fine with them.

Wasn't WINNING gloves the ones that don't let you close your hand much to create a true fist? I forget, but the idea that Inoue wears them and has all those KOs only makes me think how crazy he would hit if he wore Reyes.

[dannnnn]

It's an interesting topic. On one hand I think it makes the most sense for both boxers to wear the same brand, that way no matter what the pros and cons of the glove in question are, neither man has an advantage over the other. On the other hand I do like the existence of different types of gloves to suit different needs, I.e. Mexican-made Reyes gloves made from horse hair for a stiffer impact, or the extra padding and cushion of Winning to protect one's hands.

There are problems with both scenarios. First of all, if they wear the same gloves who gets to decide the brand? Most likely whoever is the 'A-side' in negotiations, so one side will have an advantage in that sense regardless. Secondly and perhaps more importantly, most boxers with any kind of profile have an endorsement deal with a specific brand and I struggle to see how you would go about circumventing that considering the money involved.

What I don't like is the clear difference in the distribution of the padding between brands. There was controversy around the Everlast MX gloves because they have less padding over the knuckle and more around the wrist, for example. There needs to be some uniformity there. Another aspect which perhaps requires closer scrutiny is that aside from the just the weight of the glove, the size must also be chosen. Heavyweights have larger hands than welterweights (by and large), so while a heavyweight might have a 10oz. glove in XL, a welterweight would have a 10oz. glove in M. Both gloves weigh 10oz., but one is larger than the other to accommodate a larger pair of hands. This means that those ten ounces are spread more thinly across the surface of the larger glove, naturally, which opens the door for more shenanigans like those mentioned above.