Has the glove size and weight increase been good for boxing? You can argue it two ways. Lighter gloves would give the fans more knockouts, and more upsets. The might also mean the fighter gas a bit less. Heavier gloves would protect the hands a bit better, and add a little to defense. In theory they are less dangerous. Which side of the fence are you on?
I don't think they are, in the long term. More padding means that a fighter is hurt less. This means there's less KOs, which in turn means more rounds fought. Which then leads to more punches taken and then more chance of brain damage. Of course it works the other way as well, but if they used 4 or 6 OZ gloves as standard it could be better
I prefer smaller gloves. It allows more grappling and brings a new dimension to defense rather than just putting your gloves up. Also smaller gloves offer less protection to the hand, this would encourage better hand and wrist conditioning for a new generation of boxers. I'm a fan of the 8oz gloves they used in Ali's generation Also the effects of heavier gloves on the power of punches is greatly overstated. I guarentee the difference between, say, a 12oz glove and a 16oz glove is barely anything.
Being hit by the same person by 12, 16 and 18oz gloves It's really not that varied. They was more of a shock factor the bigger ones as they moved my head more but over than that it was mostly just for hand coverage
The difference between 6 or 8 ounces is noticeably different than 12 ounces in the upper weights ( Hvy and Cruiser ) and lower weights. ( Feather and below ) The little guys have little power with 12 oz gloves on. Boxing tried heavier gloves for the lower weights and it didn't work out.
I am still stuck in favor of thumb-less gloves. I guess that's an obsolete notion now-a-days. I haven't heard anything about it in years!
There was an in depth analysis of glove weight/size and it’s effect years ago I believe in Ring Magazine. The conclusion was that the larger gloves allow fights to go on longer causing more damage to a fighter longer term. Small gloves produce quicker stoppages thus better preventing longer term (specifically brain) damage. I have a pair of 6 oz EVERLAST professional gloves from the 1960’s. Identical to the type worn by Ali for his championship bouts. They are filled with hair like strands which I have to assume is “horse” hair. I can’t imagine being hit with these as they feel like bricks once a fist is formed. They are as new in the original box they came within.
From experience , if you are fighting with 6 or 8 oz gloves you had better pay attention to defense! a good jab with those gloves can do damage.
