Competition gloves and why you rarely choose them
- Typical price
- supplied
Most promotions supply or specify competition gloves, and the specification varies by organisation and by weight class. Turning up with your own preferred pair is usually not an option, which is a good reason to spar in something close to the competition weight before fight night.
What to look for
Check the promotion’s rules well before the fight: glove weight, brand, and whether they are supplied. Amateur federations publish approved lists. If the competition glove is lighter than your sparring glove — which it usually is — do some sharpening work in that weight during the last weeks of camp, because the feel and the reach are different.
At a glance
- Weight and brand usually set by the promotion, not the fighter
- Amateur federations publish approved equipment lists
- Competition gloves are typically lighter than sparring gloves
- Train in the competition weight late in camp