For boxers the single most significant piece of equipment is the boxing gloves. In the initial stages of boxing, athletes where not required to wear gloves. In ancient Greece and Rome the fighters never wore gloves and fights some times ended in death. With the passage of time however, and as boxing became more civilized, the need for the boxing glove was imminent, in order to minimize fatalities and injuries.
Conventional boxing gloves cover the fighter’s entire hand, and extend about five inches up the arm. The gloves are made from leather; a solid piece that covers the four fingers of the boxer’s hand, there is a second part that covers and protects the thumb. Some gloves, used in the United States, are made without a special separate protector for the thumb. In these gloves the hand fits in one pouch in order to prevent eye injuries.
Aside from the leather cover, the gloves are made to contain padding material to absorb shock, protect the knuckles, as well as the faces of the boxers. Boxing gloves range in weight from 6 to 12 oz. In general, heavier gloves are harder to be kept upright during a fight, when the boxers get tired. During the original inception of the use of boxing gloves, their primary use is to protect the knuckles of the fighters.
However, in recent years boxing gloves safety and padding was increased for added safety. The first modern boxing gloves made, weighed about eight ounces. Recently, for added safety boxing gloves used in most boxing leagues weigh ten ounces.
