Sparring Gloves

Contrary to the popular belief, the sparring gloves are not only used to protect the hands from the injurious effects of punching. Sparring gloves are more than hand protectors. Sparring gloves help protect the face from getting cut by a blow. Note that boxing and sparring is not performed to injure the parties involved. They are practised as free form fighting and the safety of both parties is strongly considered. Given this fact, most sparring gloves are designed to be as smooth as possible. This means that no sharp edges or exposed seams must be detected.

Sparring gloves basically are made with a multi-layered padded foam system which appears somewhat like a competition glove. The main difference between safety sparring gloves and those that are used in competition is that sparring gloves offer more weight and softer padding for safety. They typically weigh between 14 to 18 ounces, but the bigger the boxer, the bigger the gloves are. Also, they typically come in a hook and loop closure or the so-called lace up.

The hook and loop design of  sparring gloves is popular throughout the world for the maximum convenience it offers. However, there are some seasoned boxers and sparrers who prefer the lace up design rather than the hook and loop design. Perhaps it is due to the reason that the lace up provides a snug, secure and custom fit for every boxer.

Sparring gloves are also designed to keep the thumbs and fingers out of the opponent’s eyes. In relation to this, they are required and used in boxing sparring training as they help to lower cauliflower-ear injuries that plague the bare-knuckle fighters. Sparring gloves also protect the opponent’s teeth.

Finally, aside from being safety equipment, sparring gloves are said to be an integral part of the boxer’s or sparrer’s defense. Wearing no gloves during a fight will in fact change your fighting strategy considerably. Chances are you will find difficulty in trapping, catching and blocking the punches of your opponents. So it is better to wear gloves for better defense.

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