Yeah, right after Lewis/VK, they stopped stuffing the gloves with that sharp, dry, abrasive terrycloth.
Yes, they certainly have improved over the years. Horsehair padding was originally used in all boxing gloves, but many modern gloves are filled with latex foam. Also closer attention is paid to ensure that the gloves are not altered. For example when Louis Resto’s manager removed the padding from his gloves prior to facing Billy Collins Jr. In the 30s one SOB put a nail right there, through the thumb and punched so many and punched so many holes in Mickey Goldmill’s face that spit was shooting out of his cheeks! You should’ve seen Mickey Goldmill in his prime before all those guys got at him.
This deserves to be addressed Im afraid I can't shed any light here but perhaps those who have boxed more recently will be able to. I know years back certain gloves were thought of as"punchers gloves" one being a particular Mexican brand which has slipped my mind Reyes? Sammy Frager gloves were once thought to cause quite few cuts,I believe.
I was watching Holmes vs Carl Williams just last night, and at one point Ferdie Pacheco remarks How Holmes is supposedly a "well known" dirty fighter and comments on how he thumbs his opponent's eye with his jab, then says "I can't imagine a better argument for thumbless gloves".
I know there was some controversy about the use of Reyes gloves that are primarily used in Mexico, because of the seam on the left side of the glove itself. It is the gloves used in the first Ali vs Norton fight in 1973.
I believe the Frager gloves were worn for the first Ali vs Liston bout in 1964.And also for the first Ali vs Patterson fight in 1965, those gloves were around for awhile.
Some guys are naturally better at causing cuts than others. You might occasionally run into a guy who has very bony or sharp knuckles. Other guys just know how to punch with the right amount of leverage to cause a cut. Of course some cuts are simply accidents. Some foul tactics the ref might miss are an overhand right that "accidentally" becomes a swipe with the wrist part of the glove. Or a "poorly timed" left hook that grazes the face with the tape. No matter how good the glove design, some fighters will find a way to exploit the mechanics of the body and glove to gain an advantage. But it is certainly worth the investment trying to make the sport safer.
Most cuts come from elbows, heads,or accidents. Accidents like when the Lewis right glanced off Vitali's shoulder and the inner part of the thumb caught him. As far as using the laces or seams of the glove deliberately to cause cuts...very few guys have enough fights to learn tricks like that in this era, much less do it well enough to get away with it. A guy purposely turning a punch to try and cut someone with the seam of his glove? Not likely.
