AboutJackson Rose Expertise I can answer any questions related to boxing and training. I can help anyone prepare for professional or amateur bouts. My trainer/boss of 24 years is in the Golden Gloves Hall of Fame and trained the heavyweight champion of the world. Holyfield, Roy Jones Jr., Bernard Taylor, Billy Bridges, Frankie Randall just to name a few of the boxers who have passed thru the Southerns and/or trained at our gym.
Experience I have been in the sport of boxing since 1984. I started as a boxer and advanced quickly. I was lucky enough to have some of the best sparring in the country with 3 top ten pros in my very gym. I am fortunate enough to live near one of the better boxing programs in the country. In the mid 90's I became a trainer for Golden Gloves. I train amateur and pro fighters. I have worked in many corners at USA and Golden Glove tournaments. My friend, boss and coach is the former President of Golden Gloves. I am also one of the trainers and cornermen for a promising professional heavyweight.
Organizations I am a certified Golden Gloves/USA Boxing Coach. I am also a licensed Second for pro bouts.
In the gym where I train, 95% of all the pros (and there are several of them) use 8 oz gloves for training (focus mitt, heavy bag) and of course heavier 16 oz gloves for sparring. Now I hurt my wrist throwing a hard punch with a relaxed wrist (I was tired) and it's really bothering me. I'm thinking about using a wrist wrap underneath my regular bandages plus switching to maybe 12 oz gloves for heavy bag work.
My question is, would working with heavier gloves put your timing off when you finally switch to 8 oz for a fight? I hear it's actually good (to use big gloves) as it developes endurance and power, but if that is so why doesn't anyone in my gym use them?
I'm also considering buying a pair of Cleto reyes, known for their long cuff (and better wrist protection), but dont wanna fork out 100$ for a pair of 14 oz and then find them to heavy or cumbersome to train with.
Any feedback is appreciated, on both gloves size and how to care for my sprained wrist. Many thanks
Answer Hi Julian,
Sounds like you are smart cookie....you almost answered the question yourself, definately on target.
I am a little surprised those guys are using 8oz. gloves. It's actually not even allowed in my gym for the very reason you mentioned. It is very easy to bruise your knuckles not to mention increase the risk of rolling over your wrist. A hand is a hand, whether it's the hand of a pro or an amateur, they both bruise and they both are suseptable to the same injuries. I recommend 14oz. for heavybag, uppercut bag and handpads... 16oz. for sparring....the only consideration for 10 or 8 oz would be the double-end bag...
if your not already doing this, take a piece of foam and place it across your knuckles and wrap your handwraps over the top normally. Sounds like you have sprained the tendons on your wrist, very common, and if it really hurts you need to lay off of any contact with that hand for week, if you don't it will take forever to heal...there is a silver lining to this injury, it forces you to polish up your punches in your other hand....(don't even wrap that hand or glove it, if you do, you will inadvertantly use it thru habit).
Heavier gloves will not hurt your timing...that theory is way over-blown.... the heavier gloves give you a better workout, they protect your hands, and when you finally switch over to fight gloves you feel fast as hell....why aren't these guys using them in the gym? they should be...I dont know what their thinking.. every gym I've been in don't even have 8 or 10oz out on the glove table...(but they probably have bought there own stuff)... there is a misconception out there on those gloves, everlast used to market their small lightweight gloves as "pro gloves" (they used to have this metal bar in the middle you gripped when you made a fist)...guys used to think it meant "pro boxer", but it was just a marketing gimmeck to make the gloves sound cool..but guys ate it up (and still do), some companies still use the selling point... also, pros want to feel fast when they train so that could be a factor... I don't feel there's any benefit... plus if my fighter had a big fight coming up and he was hitting the heavybag with 12's and rolled his wrist over, the fight is cancelled, all because of something as silly as wearing the wrong gloves....I wouldnt allow it, for his own sake.
as far as makes of gloves...I would love to tell you the $100 gloves aren't worth it, but I can't ..ha... I use "grant" which are designed just like the reyes and love them... yes, you do get extra support in the wrist, and that extra wrist support is because that part of the glove is stiffer and longer... you will be surprised as to how light they are, remember, there is more weight in the wrist area of these gloves so a 14oz. reyes or grant will feel lighter than a regular 14oz glove... I have 16oz and they feel like 14's... I hated shelling out the dough but if you take care of them, you'll have them forever....
I hope i got to all of your questions and feel free to come back anytime.
Good Luck.....and take care of that wrist first thing...
