For years, debates have raged over boxing gloves, hand wraps, and the best ways to protect a fighter's knuckles. Most fighters opt for Rival Guerreros or various Grant models, along with other foam-based gloves. However, the discussion around the gloves used by Tyson Fury has sparked particular interest and controversy.
Let's delve into the nuances of different glove types and the specific allegations surrounding Fury's choices.
The "Floppy Glove" Phenomenon
The term "floppy glove" refers to the flexibility a glove offers. Probably the most well-known floppy glove is the Everlast MX. This glove is made of horsehair. There's a common misconception that horsehair gloves are exclusively for punchers.
Here’s a breakdown of the key characteristics of horsehair gloves:
- Material: Made of horsehair instead of foam.
- Flexibility: More flexible than foam-padded gloves.
- Padding Distribution: Can potentially be unevenly distributed due to manual padding.
All professional gloves weigh ten ounces. A strand of horsehair weighs more than a strand of foam. Therefore, gloves made from horsehair don’t require the same depth of padding as foam gloves. Whilst they weigh the exact same thing, you don’t need as much horsehair for the glove to weigh 10 ounces.
Read also: Delving into Cruiserweight Boxing
Normal fight gloves are like a bed, providing a springy resistance. Horsehair gloves are much more flexible in its makeup. Foam is naturally a springy compound whereas hair is naturally straight and easier to reshape and cut. Also, the glove once pressed on, doesn’t exactly spring back to formation, in fact, the padding slightly spreads across the glove. As if you were to push your finger in a bag full of butter or dough.
Because of these characteristics, some argue that horsehair gloves offer an unfair advantage. For one there is less padding, for two there more flexibility in the padding and for three the gloves could be unevenly distributed by the manufacturer.
There is a chance that after a certain amount of rounds, the knuckles may have less protection.
Why Are Floppy Gloves Legal?
Those gloves offer less protection for the person throwing the punch. Those gloves do their purpose, which is to protect both fighters. One explanation will answer both of those questions: Why is it legal? Or why doesn’t everyone use it?
Fury's Glove Choices and the Wilder Controversy
Now to relate it to Fury and Wilder, Tyson Fury wore a pair of Everlast MX gloves in the first fight and in the second fight wore a pair of Paffen sport gloves. Whilst it is unusual, it has been seen before.
Read also: Comparing UFC, Boxing, and Wrestling
Wilders team are now claiming Fury had loaded gloves, going as far to say there was a blunt object inside which caused a 'dent' to Wilders' temple. This follows on from the 'wrist punching' theory from the first fight where he was accused of wearing his gloves loosely so he could punch outside the padded area.
This theory was also tested by pro's Mayweather's gym and unanimously voted as nonsense/no advantage.
Arguments Against the Gloves
If you have an argument against the commissions for allowing these gloves that is fair and understandable, but Tyson Fury issue shouldn’t be an isolated one. In the Horn vs Crawford fight; Crawford is wearing horsehair gloves and majority of his punches are landing like slaps like his hands are straight.
Can’t see any benefit of a floppy glove. Like hitting someone with an empty glove is more effective than using your knuckle ...... So now they are trying to say he slipped a horseshoe in the end ?? I love Team Wilder.
Steve Cunningham was bitter before he faced Tyson Fury and even more bitter afterwards, and ever since. Steve Cunningham is still bitter in this, at 2:15, saying "I put Tyson down in his last fight so..." We know you did, Steve. So did Neven Pajkić. He always needs to get that in there. His pride is clearly still hurt 7 years on from that bout. Steve, you played your part in what was one of the most memorable nights in Tyson Fury's career.
Read also: BJJ vs. Boxing: Which is Better?