Hand wrap rules are in place in boxing as well as a range of other combat sports. Hand wraps are applied underneath the fighter's gloves and are intended to protect the hands of the fighter, without making the fists any harder or putting the opponent at further risk of injury.
Hand Wrap Material
World Boxing Organization (WBO) hand wrap rules in boxing permit hands to be wrapped with soft gauze bandage that provides padding without significantly hardening the fist of a fighter. Surgical tape is permitted to hold the hand wraps in place. Because surgical tape has a harder texture, surgical tape is not allowed within one inch of the knuckles of a fighters hands.
Length of Hand Wrap
Soft gauze bandage can be used in hand wraps as long as the amount is not exceeding 12 yards of soft gauze bandage per hand, and is no more than two inches in width. The soft gauze bandage can be held in place by surgical tape, with no more than 8 feet of tape being used on each hand, according to hand wrap rules. The surgical tape must be no more than one inch in width in accordance with hand wrap rules.
Inspection
Boxing hand wraps are inspected by a state boxing commissioner, who must be present when the hands of a fighter are wrapped. The state boxing commissioner will sign his initials onto the wraps before a fighter puts on his gloves to approve the wraps for use in the fight. A fighter's trainer is permitted by law to watch the hands of the opposition fighter being wrapped. According to the All Experts website, in some states the hand wraps of a fighter are confiscated by a state boxing commissioner after the fight for inspection. Post-fight inspections are designed to ensure nothing illegal is done to the hand wraps between the dressing room inspection and the end of the fight.
Illegal Hand Wraps
If found, illegal hand wraps can result in the license of both the fighter and trainer being revoked, and a subsequent ban from fighting will be decided by the boxing board involved. Illegal hand wraps have been used with fatal consequences. In 1983 Luis Resto added plaster elements to his hand wraps; the subsequent fight was tied to the death of his opponent Billy Collins Jr. More recently, world champion boxer Antonio Margarito was found to have plaster in his hand wraps before a 2009 world title bout with Shane Mosley. Margarito and his trainer had their licenses revoked and were banned for one year.
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