History of Boxing

The History of the Boxing Gloves

Boxing has been around for centuries but it was the English that enforced the use of gloves (as well as rounds and a ring with the creation of Queensberry Rules). Before the use of boxing gloves the Greeks used to put leather strips on their hands to protect their fragile hands. The Romans also did the same but many ended up handicapped or even dead because they added spikes to the end of their boxing gloves. 

Boxing went away for a while because of what the Romans did and it did not come back until the 1600s. The use of padded boxing gloves came into effect with the Queensberry rules in England. The heavier the boxing glove the safer they are however the more weight in the boxing glove the harder it is to swing. 

There are all types of boxing gloves depending on the weight size and material of the boxing glove. The use of which boxing glove you use depends on the situation, boxing gloves are different for sparring, training, matches or gender. 

The different types of gloves you can use are speed gloves, these are light leather boxing gloves to protect the boxer’s hands against very light speed bag work. Bag gloves are cushioned to protect the boxer against striking a heavier punch bag, these are recommended the most by most trainers for all boxing training. Sparring gloves are designed to protect both boxers during a sparring session. Fight gloves are to protect both fighters but are less padded. 

Sparring gloves range from 6 oz to 20 oz while bag gloves, amateur, and professional gloves range between 8 to 10 ounces. Fight gloves are laced and the taped and then signed so they cannot be tampered with. Training gloves are Velcro so the fighter can get them on and off easy. Modern boxing gloves started showing up in the 90’s over years of testing by some of the biggest names in boxing to make sure there safe, and durable and long lasting. 

Modern boxing gloves have breathable mesh inside and leather backed stitching with some having suspension cushioning and re-enforced padding for the boxer. Boxing gloves in amateur boxing are more than often red or blue with white tape so judges can score the fight easier.

Research has shown that wearing gloves does not reduce brain injuries and may even increase brain damage because wearing gloves means you can hit harder to the head without injuring yourself. There are less eye injuries nowadays but retinal tears still occur to boxers, even those wearing the very best boxing gloves. There are also a lot less deaths since the Queensberry rules came into play and has made boxing a much safer sport. 

Kids as young as four and five are starting to get into the sport to follow there heroes and the biggest names in boxing such as Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali and Ricky Hatton who have all been great world champions all in different weight divisions.