How Would the evolution of Boxing gloves affect the power of fighters like Marciano or Joe Louis

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by VeryMoistWalrus, Apr 11, 2021.


  1. VeryMoistWalrus

    VeryMoistWalrus New Member Full Member

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    Title said´s it all really, how drastic would the change from horse hair to foam affect their power. I know Joe Louis was able to KO guys of similar stature of today heavyweights like Primo Carnera, Buddy Baer, and one more i can´t remember at the moment.

    Common opponents between Marciano and Louis have stated that Rocky had better 1 shot power than Louis so theoretically he could KO those same guys if he was able to land. That being said, would they still have those same results using modern Boxing gloves? Would it increase or lessen their power?
     
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2021
    VeryMoistWalrus, Apr 11, 2021
    VeryMoistWalrus, Apr 11, 2021
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  2. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    My best guess ..........

    It would lessen their power on a punch-for-punch basis, in theory.
    But in reality the added protection to their hands would mean their punching was closer to 100% in every fight.

    Louis especially, when he was on his busy schedule he suffered from very bad hands in several fights and it effected his performance. With the right type of modern gloves he would have been even more devastating than he was, on average.
     
    Unforgiven, Apr 12, 2021
    Unforgiven, Apr 12, 2021
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  3. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    No meaningful difference.
     
    McGrain, Apr 12, 2021
    McGrain, Apr 12, 2021
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  4. Bulldog24

    Bulldog24 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Nonsense.
     
    Bulldog24, Apr 12, 2021
    Bulldog24, Apr 12, 2021
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  5. AwardedSteak863

    AwardedSteak863 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Louis's power came from his excellent timing and precision punching more so than strength or anything really to do with his glove. Rocky was likely the more powerful guy shot for shot but Louis was so smart with his placement and setting guys up. The way he would feint and drop that right hand in was so effective against the fighters of his day.
     
    AwardedSteak863, Apr 12, 2021
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  6. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Yeah, fact i'm afraid. Lots of people don't like it, but it's very much the case.

    The difference in how the power is distributed across a bare fist versus the small MMA gloves is significant; the difference between MMA gloves and heavier boxing gloves is much smaller.

    This isn't my opinion, it's been scientifically tested.
     
    McGrain, Apr 12, 2021
    McGrain, Apr 12, 2021
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  7. janitor

    janitor VIP Member

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    It would make next to no difference to their power, as testing has demonstrated.

    The larger gloves might make their punches easier to block though.
     
    janitor, Apr 12, 2021
    janitor, Apr 12, 2021
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