Sparring is an important part of a boxer's training regimen. A fighter needs the real-time experience of facing another person in the ring. When in training, boxers typically spar in 16-ounce gloves for safety. The 12-ounce gloves are mostly reserved for certain forms of competition, though there may be occasions when a particular boxer would prefer to practice in the smaller gloves. If you plan to spar and would like to use a pair of 12-ounce gloves, however, there are a few important factors to consider.
Hand Damage
Twelve-ounce boxing gloves are constructed with less padding than their 16-ounce counterparts. This fact is demonstrated in the knuckle portion of the glove, which is also significantly thinner and less resistant to shock. Sparring in 12-ounce gloves regularly can increase the likelihood of breaking a hand. The forefront of a man's hand, when closed, is not built to repeatedly withstand the force he can generate with the muscles employed while punching. In fact, the primary purpose of wearing boxing gloves is to protect the user's hands and not his opponent. While it is normally safe to wear smaller gloves during a fight, their slim design makes them impractical for the day-to-day punishment of training.
Other Potential Injuries
Sparring in smaller gloves can present a danger to your training partners as well. The filler of 12-ounce gloves is more compact than larger styles. Wearing some 12-ounce gloves can be likened to increasing the size of your fists, turning each punch into a bone-crushing block of force. This is impractical for training purposes, as sparring can go weeks leading up to a fight.
Advantages
There are some advantages to occasionally sparring in 12-ounce gloves. The 16-ounce style used in training is bulkier, heavier and can cover more of your face when defending punches. It can feel awkward to put on the smaller gloves at fight time and be forced to adjust in the moment. You may want to spar once or twice in the smaller gloves, just so your body will learn what it feels like to actually be in a match.
Significance
Boxing gloves come in a variety of styles and designs. The 14- or 16-ounce gloves are worn for most gym work. The 16-, 18- or even 20-ounce gloves are generally used for sparring. Amateur boxers who compete in the lighter weight categories wear 10-ounce gloves. Heavier fighters, however, use 12-ounce gloves. Professional standards lower 2 oz. at both ends, with lighter boxers wearing 8-ounce gloves and heavier fighters using 10s.
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