Boxing gloves come in a variety of weights, sizes and styles. The size and weight of the best gloves for you depends on a variety of factors. Whether you choose to spar with an opponent, hit the heavy bag, focus mitts or speed bag will dictate the type of gloves you should use. Boxing gloves that fit correctly will help prevent damage to your hands. Whatever gloves you choose should be durable and safe.
Size and Weight
The size and weight of gloves are two separate categories. Size does not always correspond with the weight of the glove. Typical sizes are small, medium and large. The size of your gloves will depend on the best fit for you. The weight of the gloves ranges from 8 to 20 oz.; again, what weight you needs depends on how you'll use the gloves. For example, heavy-bag gloves will have additional padding and will weigh more than speed-bag gloves.
Training Gloves
Training gloves are used for hitting the heavy bag, focus mitts and speed bag. In his book "Box Like the Pros," former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier advises that heavy bag gloves should be used exclusively for hitting the heavy bag and focus mitts. Most boxers wear 14-oz. gloves while hitting the heavy bag. Speed bag gloves contain minimal padding, which provides coverage for the hand wraps and wrist.
Sparring Gloves
Sparring gloves are designed differently than bag gloves. These gloves are made to strike a person and generally have extra padding, USA Amateur Boxing coach Alan Lachica explains. This helps to prevent boxers from injuring their hands and their sparring opponents. Most fighters spar with 16- to 18-oz. gloves.
Competition Gloves
Competitive amateur and professional boxers wear gloves of different weights during a bout. Depending on their weight class, professional boxers wear 8- to 10-oz. gloves. During a professional fight, glove weights are dictated by the state's boxing or athletic commission. Amateur competition gloves are regulated by USA Boxing, the sport's governing body in the United States. Size and weight specifications depend on the boxer's weight class, notes the USA Amateur Boxing official rulebook.
Considerations
To prevent injury, wear hand wraps under your boxing gloves. Before you purchase a pair of gloves, make sure there is enough room for hand wraps. Your gloves may feel snug during the first couple of workouts, but they will stretch over time.
Boxing gloves are manufactured from leather or vinyl. Leather gloves are higher quality and are generally more expensive; however, it is possible to find decent-quality vinyl gloves. Professional and amateur competition gloves are always leather. During amateur bouts, the gloves are red or blue. The color of the gloves denotes the fighter's corner and helps judges to score the competition.
References
- Ringside; Boxing Manual; John Brown
- "Box Like the Pros"; Joe Frazier and William Dettloff; 2005
- "Boxer's Start-Up"; Alan Lachica and Doug Werner; 2004
- USA Boxing; Official Rulebook; United States Amateur Boxing Association
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