Protective handwear used in the sport of boxing is essential equipment. These padded coverings for the hands are designed to minimize injury to both the wearer and the opponent during bouts. Ranging in weight from 8 ounces to 16 ounces, the type used often depends on the weight class of the boxers and the rules of the specific competition. The absence of these protective measures significantly alters the nature of the activity, moving it away from a regulated sport and toward something far more dangerous.
The presence of such handwear has played a crucial role in the evolution of pugilism, leading to a safer, more strategic contest. They protect the hands and wrists, allowing boxers to deliver more powerful blows without causing serious harm to themselves. Moreover, the use of this gear has enabled the sport to gain broader acceptance, transforming its image from brutal spectacle to a test of skill, endurance, and mental fortitude, while mitigating the risk of severe cuts and lacerations which were commonplace in bare-knuckle fighting.
