Boxing Body Criticized Over Lighter Gloves
By Kim Tong-hyung
Staff Reporter
The Korean Boxing Committee (KBC) is expected to allow the use of six-ounce gloves, lighter than the standard eight-ounce gloves, in fights next year, despite concerns over a greater danger of injuries.
In a Pan-Asian Boxing Association (PABA) meeting in Beijing Wednesday, KBC Vice President Han Bo-young announced that the boxing body is considering permitting the use of the lighter gloves in weight classes lighter than the super flyweight (52.16 kilogram limit).
``The idea is that fighters in the super flyweight and lighter divisions will be allowed to choose between the eight-ounce gloves and the six-ounce gloves,'' Han said. ``We haven't made the final decision yet and will hold more discussions.''
According to the plans by the KBC, the six-ounce gloves will be used in non-title fights in the super flyweight, flyweight, light flyweight and minimum weight matches. The fighters with smaller frames would benefit from using lighter gloves, especially in bouts that go into the late rounds, Han said.
Under current rules, fighters in lighter weight classes than the welterweight division can use eight-ounce gloves, which provide more padding than six-ounce gloves. The fighters in heavier weights than the super welterweight division are mandated 10-ounce gloves.
Han didn't try to sugarcoat the motives for endorsing lighter gloves, which is to increase the chances for bloody brawls and knockouts in hopes of drawing larger fan interest.
``There are voices within the boxing body that we need more action-packed bouts to revive the popularity of boxing in our country,'' Han said.
The KBC's interest in allowing lighter gloves comes after the PADA allowed six-ounce gloves in December of last year.
The move is seen as a desperate attempt by Korean boxing officials to revive the popularity of the sport, which once was the country's favorite pastime but is now breathing heavily on the ropes due to the dearth of talent and a diminishing fan base.
The latest shock came in July when former WBC featherweight champion Chi In-jin traded his strap for a career in mixed-martial arts (MMA) in hopes of a fatter paycheck.
Six-ounce gloves had been used in the boxing world until the 1960s, but have been strictly regulated after being cited as a cause for serious injuries to fighters.
International boxing bodies, such as the World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Council (WBC), are reluctant to promote the use of six-ounce gloves, but their rules can't be forced in domestic non-title matches.
Critics are questioning whether the KBC is risking the health of fighters to sell more seats.
``If an opponent decides to wear a six-ounce glove, you are not going to wear a glove with more padding. I would certainly be angry if one of my fighters get seriously injured after that," said a trainer at a Gyeonggi Province boxing gym, who did not want to be named.
``Even for smaller fighters, the two extra ounces is not likely to count as a fatigue factor even in the later rounds. So my question is, why even risk using a lighter glove?"
The KBC maintains that there is not much evidence to back the claims that lighter gloves would be more dangerous to fighters, a curious take since it seems to be expecting more knockouts.
``Since the PADA allowed six-ounce gloves, there were no serious injuries reported, but the sample size is too small,'' said Lee Min-young, a boxing referee and oriental medicine expert who does medical research for the KBC.
``It's too early to make the verdict on whether six-ounce gloves result in more knockouts or injuries,'' he said.