Expert: Lian Shoemake - 12/3/2006

Question
I'm going to start a boxing club with students from our school but I want it to be realistic. I checked Everlast's equipment and their pro boxing gloves range from 8-14oz. What do the pros use (Rocky, Ali, etc)?

Answer
Hi Dan,

Thanks for the question.

Professional boxers use 8 oz. gloves for lighter weight divisions, and 10 oz. gloves for the heavier divisions (so "Rocky" and Muhammad Ali would wear 10 oz. gloves).

If you're considering competition with school-age students, I would recommend using the guidelines for USA Boxing competition. They utilize 10 oz. gloves and 12 oz. gloves. Of course, you'll want to be sure that all the other safety equipment is in place as well, such as groin protectors, fitted mouthpieces, headgear and hand wraps.

Amateur boxing is a safe sport, but unregulated brawls without preparation, safety equipment or supervision can be dangerous and deadly.

Just a word to the wise!

I hope this helps, Dan.
Thanks again for writing.

Regards,
Lian