Boxing is a sport that demands strength, speed, and skill. However, it’s also a sport that involves significant physical contact, making proper protective gear essential for athletes of all levels. But at the same time, it is also a very intensive contact sport which means that, the protective gear is mandatory for every learner let alone the pro players. Everybody, from an amateur who is going to start training in boxing or just going to have the first sparring to the professional preparing for the fight, should wear the best equipment to avoid the injuries and provide the maximum result. Types of boxing protective gear are also highlighted in this article with focus on their relevance and use especially during training and actual fights.
Headgear: Shielding the Brain and Face:
Headgear is one of the most critical pieces of protective equipment in boxing. Designed to reduce the impact of punches to the head, headgear provides padding around the skull, temples, forehead, and cheeks. Though it will not stop concussions completely, as the boxing activity goes, it does reduce the intensity of impact, especially when two fighters are sparring. This is also true in many of the headgear models for it has extra padding for both the cheeks and the chin to minimize contact injury like cuts, bruising, or even bone fracture due to punch impact or head banging.
In this case, the boxers should go for the head gear that will protect the head well while at the same time not hindering his or her vision. This is so because excessive padding hinders vision, this is crucial in avoiding and retaliating blows. Hence why it was a bit challenging to get a headgear that fits tightly but at the same time providing adequate vision.
Mouth guards: Preserving the Teeth and Jaws
Mouth guard is another fundamental part of boxing protective gear which protects the teeth, jaws and gums. Mouth guards have the feel of absorbing and directing the shock impact originating from punches thereby minimizing instances of broken teeth and jaw fractures. Second, they protect the upper and lower teeth from coming in contact and hitting each other during an incident which leads to nasty dental crashes.
Mouth guards are available in different categories; the non-customized, boil and bite and the professional dentist made mouthguard. Mouth guards which are custom made are more comfortable and protective since they have the perfect size for the mouth of the wearer. Whichever of the two types is used they must be worn during practice sessions and games.
Boxing Gloves: Protection for Hands and Wrists
A pair of boxing gloves also enables a boxer to pack a punch, but at the same time guards the hands as well as the wrists from experiencing any kind of pain. The gloves afford shock absorption in the same manner in which most blows are struck on a rival or punch mitt. As implied, this padding is important in maintaining the safety of the athletes and minimizing on the occasional fractures sprains among other injuries that may be incidences during training or bouts.
Boxing gloves can be classified according to their use including sparring gloves, bag gloves and competition gloves. Sparring gloves are usually bulkier to allow for protection of the fighter and his/her opponent while competition gloves are lighter to enhance punching velocity and force. It is important to select the right kind of gloves that will not restrict hand movement and do not provide little wrist support so as not to cause hyper extension and other injuries.
Groin Protectors: Preventing Low-Blow Injuries
Male boxers require a groin protector as it is a sensitive area and if hit they might suffer from a serious injury. They protect vulnerable genitalia from low blows, which would results in severe squeeze, pain and possible long term impact. Groin protectors are usually of hard plastic or metal shell having padding to protect the PA’s groin and are worn below the boxing trunks. Correct size of a shield is important in guaranteeing protection and immobility in case the area on the field gets exposed during a match.
For female boxers, we have chest protectors and they are designed to protect the chest and ribs. These are made specifically to be lighter than the standard training equipment but strong enough to take shocks during spar or bout.
Shin Guards and Foot Protectors
While shin guards and foot protectors are mostly used during Muay Thai and any form of kickboxing training, it can also be used in boxing training especially where one incorporates kicks during training. These protectors guard the shins, ankles and feet against any harm in any occasions that involves kicking during drill or sparring.
Conclusion
Also in boxing, you have to wear the right protective clothing that will make you reduce your chances of getting a dangerous punch and therefore will lead to a long career in boxing. They cover their heads to necks, their mid-sections to groins, and use mouth-guards on their mouth as part of boxers gear in order to minimize on injuries while facilitating effectiveness on the ring. It is not only a requirement for the protection of the players to invest in quality protective gears, but it also becomes strategic for an athletic to gain the best in the boxing ring.
