Expert: Alan Kahn - 4/12/2007

Question
hello, i was wondering if you could help me with a few ?? my son is 8yrs old weights about 60lbs maybe..he turned 8yrs dec.28.i was wondering he has been boxing at the local gym for about 2 month.. They just started sparring.The other two boys he sparrs with are both almost 2 years older.The oneboy is 79- 80lbs and 3/4afoot taller.The other is 10 to 15lbs larger.HE's a little taller.not much.Than my son... And they all where 16.oz huge sparring gloves.Idon't know much about boxing. I would like youre personal opion on if you think this is right. or am i  making something over nothing? HE does OK.when sparring. but he gets fustrighted.He is at a disadvange.I know on his wrestling team age/weight is very inportant.What is the right size/weight for sparring gloves.Does it matter.Any info you could give me i would really be thankful. THANKS..

Answer
HI John,

I think it's great that you son has started training in a facility that supports childrens boxing. Many PAL (Police Athletic League) programs feature boxing type activities, and most list the age of 8 as a starting point and allow competition at 9yr old. And it's great that you are actively involved with him. So age isn't really out of line.
But the rest of your question really depends on a few things. If you 8 year old is sparring against kids two years older, he could really be at a disadvantage concerning, strength, size, speed and coordination. There is usually a big difference at that level. However, Perhaps there is no other choice. Are there any other 8yr or 9yr olds? why is he going against 10yr olds?  If there are no other kids around, then that would be the logical choice, as long as the older kids are well behaved and aware of their responsibility for safety and the need to protect their sparring partners in training. Most of this comes from the coaches and those in responsibility for the sparring sessions. Ask to watch these sessions, and notice how the coaches or those in control of the session react and work with the kids who are involved. Try to determine if their PRIMARY goal is to maintain order in the ring, Safety in technique and attitude among the participants, and are the primary using this for as a learning experience. Learning meaning "techniques and boxing skills", NOT so much teaching a kid to "take it". A youngster can get demoralized and lose confidence quickly if the reason for sparring is to "teach him a lesson" by letting the larger kids wail on him. Basically it comes down to this: Do YOU feel it is safe for him? Are you confident in the way the attending coaches handle the sparring? Do YOU think it is being done professionally and safely?  If you really answer NO to any of those, than you can certainly reconsider his participation. If you see other kids getting injured in sparring for no good reason, you might reconsider.

As for the weight of the gloves, generally the heavier and thicker the glove, the more padding and protection. However, 16-oz gloves are probably pretty heavy for the kids and they will tire easily. Using the heavier gloves can build strength and stamina, but once exhaustion nears the proper punching technique and ability to defend properly is difficult to execute. Watch to see if the kids get tired quickly, and then how the coaches handle that. Again, if YOU are uncomfortable with the glove weight, or why the smaller kids have to wear the larger gloves, ASK THE COACHES why that is what they are doing. Perhaps they have reasons backed by experience why they want them using that particular glove (maybe that's all they have for the kids...??). If you get a sense that they are "kinda making the answer up as they go along..." then that's a sign of caution on your part.

Here's a few links for you.  

Ringside Equipment
http://www.ringside.com/BoxingEquipment101.aspx

Youth Boxing Gloves Titleboxing
http://store.titleboxing.com/kid-youth-glove.html

PAL Redwood City
http://www.redwoodcity.org/police/pal.html

The Coaches and trainers should faithfully answer any questions you have about why they are doing what they do, why the rounds are 1,2,3 minutes long, why the gloves are a certain weight, why they let certain kids spare against certain others, etc. IF you feel comfortable and confident in their answers, then great. IF you son really enjoys it, even with the frustration (..and wants to continue) than great. otherwise, you might reconsider.

I don't know if this really helps or not, but without seeing the facility or trainers myself, that would be my advice.

good luck and I hope you and your son enjoy your boxing experiences together. When HE is my age, he will still remember with pride that his dad was watching him ringside. What memories you'll share.

sincerely,

Alan Kahn
author, The Speed Bag Bible