Guide to OZ and Boxing Glove Sizes
What does weight and size mean to you when buying boxing gloves? Read about OZ, weight and sizes here.
Most boxing gloves have something called OZ specified. This is an abbreviation for Ounces, which is a weight term used in many countries instead of grams. 1 Ounce is approximately 28 grams. The lower the OZ, the lighter the glove, and boxing gloves can range from 6 oz to 20 oz.
How many OZ should I choose?
Boxers weighing 64 kg and below should wear 10 oz boxing gloves in a fight, while boxers weighing 69 kg and above should wear 12 oz boxing gloves.
To find out how many OZ you should wear on your boxing gloves, you first need to know what type of glove you will be wearing – for sparring, punching bag or simple training. Once you have chosen your glove, you can find a weight that is right for you.
Light or heavy gloves
Generally speaking, a lighter glove is better for smaller people, and the heavier you are, the heavier the glove you should have. You can also choose an extra heavy or extra light glove if you want special properties from the glove:
If you choose an extra heavy glove, you will have extra strain on your shoulders and fitness. In other words, you will get a tougher workout and more benefit from this in terms of fitness and strength. At the same time, the heavy gloves make you move your hands slower, so you will not be able to get quick combinations and movements as easily. Many advanced boxers like to train with slightly heavier gloves occasionally because their hands feel much lighter when they switch to light gloves the next time.
If you choose an extra light glove, you will notice that your hands are much easier to move, and you can work better with combinations and fast punches. However, for sparring this is not a good choice, the gloves have too little protection in relation to your body weight and it can potentially hurt your sparring partner.
Rules in battle
AIBA (the International Boxing Association) rules state that boxers weighing 64 kg and below must use 10 oz boxing gloves in a fight, while boxers weighing 69 kg and above must use 12 oz boxing gloves. The Norwegian Boxing Association is subject to AIBA and follows the same rules.
In professional boxing, the rules are a bit more varied – there are several different organizations that don't necessarily have the same rules. For example, the WBF specifies that gloves should be either 8 oz or 10 oz depending on the weight class.
« If you choose an extra light glove, you will notice that your hands are much easier to move »
It is not common or recommended to train in fighting gloves, so it may be worth going up a weight class for the gloves you use for training. If you are heavy (over 80 kg), you can go up to 16 oz for regular training.
When it comes to fitness gloves and bag gloves, many of the same guidelines apply. However, unless you have a sparring partner to consider, it's more a matter of personal preference here.
Do you want lightweight gloves that let you hit fast and hard (but offer less protection to your knuckles)? Or do you want heavier gloves that make you have to work a little harder?
Find out what's right for you
Boxing gloves and sizes are not like shoes: It's a lot about what you like and the situation the gloves will be used in. Most people who train a lot have several gloves to switch between based on what you want to get out of your training. This also saves the gloves so they last longer.
What about sizes?
Some gloves also come in traditional sizes (Small, Medium, Large). These are standard hand sizes that apply just like when purchasing other types of gloves. It is of course important to choose the right size for your hands, but the most important thing is to choose the right weight and type of glove.
