I enjoy writing these articles for my readers, you guys. I don't accept payment for writing reviews, my opinion on products is my own, but if you find my recommendations helpful and you end up buying something through one of the links I may be able to receive a commission on that. More information
You also need clothes for boxing. The right shoes to be agile and the right clothes to not get in the way.
And what do you need to know about the rules? Our referees will take you through the best tips.
Here is Renato explaining the 3 basic techniques of boxing:
What we discuss in this comprehensive post:
What clothes should I have for boxing?
When boxing you usually wear a sleeveless shirt and reasonable shorts. I am always very impressed with the look and fabric of RDX Sports clothing:
Adidas has nice shirts:
Boxing shoes
Boxing shoes are one of the most important and personal boxing equipment. Probably the second most important piece of gear after your boxing gloves.
Boxing boots help you move with absolute control, giving you explosive footwork and anchored stops.
It is not like buying a pair of tennis shoes.
The best boxing shoes feel light, comfortable (like custom gloves for your feet) and help you become one with the canvas.
The worst boxing shoes feel like a strange material underneath, with weird lumps and curves that don't mold to your feet.
And then there's the matter of quality and features. Some last longer than others. Some are more comfortable, safer and easier to use than others.
This is my experience with the most popular boxing shoe brands!
1. MOST POPULAR – Adidas
Adidas is a top brand for boxing shoes that I prefer to use. I don't use Adidas because it feels different from Nike. It's not that Nike is bad, just that it feels different and strange because it's less known.
Perhaps this has to do with the fact that I wear Nike shoes less often than Adidas. Another thing I would say is that Adidas is probably more popular in Europe.
I remember when I went to sports shops in Germany, I often see more Adidas boxing gloves and boxing equipment than Nike. In America, for example, this is different.
For example, the best shoes I would choose are:
View more boxing shoes from Adidas
2. POPULAR Brands – Greenhill
These are the second tier brands for boxing shoes in the market. They are probably as high quality and beautifully designed as Adidas, but not as popular. Is it due to marketing and brand recognition/trust alone? Or is it something else?
Green Hill is in any case a top brand. I think they are made well enough, plus they last quite a long time.
I didn't like the way it felt on my feet when I ordered my first pair, and you really need to buy these a size bigger than you are used to. But they are fine and durable shoes.
The best execution are these Green Hill 1521 boxing shoes:
Q: What piece of boxing equipment is often overlooked by beginners?
A: Yes, they are boxing shoes!
Why are beginners especially so resistant when it comes to buying boxing shoes?
Well, they don't want to spend money, they don't see any benefit, and they think they can just use other athletic shoes (running/basketball/trainers).
Well, I don't recommend that. And I'm here to explain to you all the benefits of wearing proper boxing shoes from our expertise as referees.
Benefits of wearing boxing shoes
I know many of you like to start boxing by using other sports shoes made for running, basketball or other sports.
I can tell you now, it's not the same.
Wearing real boxing shoes makes a big difference in your performance.
In fact, it's probably one of the easiest ways to instantly improve a budding boxer's performance – put real boxing shoes on his feet.
A good pair of boxing shoes improves comfort, mobility, speed and power. It really is that simple.
A shoe made for boxing allows you to be comfortable in boxing positions and postures, and to move the way a boxer moves.
And if you can move better, you have more speed and more power.
Wearing boxing shoes improves comfort, mobility, speed and power.
Many of you will be tempted to do what I did, which is not really buying boxing boots until a while later, until you get more serious, but you won't enjoy how nice it feels to wear real boxing boots.
Your feet feel so much lighter and you move with so much more agility AND support as you jump around the boxing ring, dodging hooks and crosses.
You just have to try it to see what I mean.
Important Features of Good Boxing Shoes
1. Grip & Pivot
This is probably the most important and distinguishing feature of boxing shoes, their ability to grip the ground so that your feet don't slide when transferring power... but at the same time always allow you to spin so you can eject power pushes or perform typical footwork maneuvers to fight.
You'll find that non-boxing shoes are pretty awful when it comes to giving you grip and twist.
The way non-boxing shoes are shaped in the front can swing a bit uncomfortably and also that the non-boxing shoes are either too slippery (don't give you enough grip) or they give you too much grip (making it difficult to pivot) .
Some fighters prefer a shoe that offers real grip and they don't mind if it's a little harder to turn.
Some prefer a shoe that is smoother and can turn easily, even if it has a little less grip.
The perfect balance for me is when the shoe has enough grip to provide stability during power transfer and turns easily enough, while still keeping you connected to the ground.
I actually hate when the shoes have too much grip because that can trip me up.
Your boxing shoes must provide sufficient grip for stability,
while still allowing you to turn easily.
2. Sole construction and texture
Now comes the second most important feature of boxing shoes, the way the sole (the bottom of the shoe) is built.
The way your soles are built can affect your ability to balance, move, turn and strike.
First, on the inside... the soles should be comfortable and allow you to balance.
You shouldn't feel like your axis is out of balance when you're in your boxing shoes. You also shouldn't feel like the shoes are forcing your feet to tilt slightly to the outside or inside.
You will be surprised how common this problem is. If the insoles feel weird or are already throwing you off balance, you may want to replace them with custom insoles…maybe not.
The next thing is to get a feel for the thickness of the sole (the outer bottom part).
- Some guys like a thinner sole so they can feel the ground more. You may feel more agile and lighter this way.
- Some guys like a thicker sole, you feel less ground, but possibly more powerful. You have to try it to see what I mean.
I personally like a thinner sole and feel more powerful with it. I do notice that thinner soles can tire your feet faster due to less support. (It's similar to how those Vibram Five Finger shoes give your feet an extra workout.)
But again, my feet are strong, well conditioned and that "extra work" never bothered me. For a beginner they can make a difference, but you get used to them quickly.
What you don't want is a sole that is too thick so that you feel too loose from the ground, this is common with many non-boxing shoes.
Shoes made for basketball have all this cushioning in the sole that prevents you from connecting to the ground for maximum power.
You may also notice that non-boxing shoes (and sometimes even some boxing shoes) have a raised heel that can prevent you from sitting down for maximum power on your punches. (Sometimes you need to be able to sit on your heels for maximum power transfer, or to push an opponent back.)
Another thing is the outer texture of the bottom of the shoe.
Some of you may like a flatter surface where it feels like you're standing directly on the floor.
You either of you may like ledges or the little bumps (sort of football cleats) because it feels like it has more grip.
I personally like a flat bottom. I hate the bumps because it makes me feel more off the ground and also that I have less balance when I'm just standing.
The bumps also make me feel like I'm standing on rocks (annoying). Keep in mind I have wide feet so I might like the humps if they are arranged for wider feet.
The last thing to note is the construction of the toe and heel. Some of you may like a shoe where the sole rises and covers the toe and heel areas.
This allows the shoe to feel more durable and generally feels grippy.
Some of you may prefer where the sole is only on the bottom and the toe and heel areas are surrounded by the soft upper, this feels lighter, more mobile or more comfortable.
Your boxing shoe soles should allow you to feel balanced and light.
3. Weight and thickness
The overall feel of your shoe should have a desired weight and thickness. For me, the feeling of weight and thickness is determined by the material used and the allowed mobility.
A feeling of lightness comes from a lighter and thinner sole, a lighter and thinner upper and a lot of freedom in the ankles.
The moment the shoe starts adding a thicker sole, or a lot of fabric and upper material, or limiting the ankle movement, the shoe becomes heavier.
Should you be fat and heavy or thin and light? This is really up to you. A light and thinner shoe will feel more agile and possibly more powerful when you want to feel the ground.
A thicker and heavier shoe can feel more supportive and also more powerful, because you think it unites your knee, ankle and foot together with every movement.
Those who like lighter shoes will complain that a thicker, heavier shoe is restrictive and/or slows their foot speed.
Your boxing shoe should feel thin enough to be light and agile, thick enough to support power transfer.
4. Height and ankle support
One of the most important jobs of a boxing shoe is to protect your ankles.
As you already know, ankle injuries are common in sports where you jump around, frequently changing positions and constantly forcing your ankles from all directions.
Boxing can definitely put some strain on your ankles and knees, depending on your fighting style.
You have 3 choices of shoe heights in boxing – LOW, MEDIUM and HIGH.
The low tops go about as high as the ankles. The mid-high shoes go a few inches higher than that, and the high tops reach almost to your calves.
Conventional wisdom holds, “the higher the shoe, the more ankle support you get.”
So if you want a lot of ankle support, get the high tops. If you want a lot of mobility, get the low-tops so that your ankles have more freedom of movement.
This has a lot to do with how your joints are made. If you're one of those people who sprain their ankles every now and then, you should probably go with the high notes.
It has a lot to do with genetics, fighting style and personal preference. I have strong ankles and love low-tops.
There are a few additional things to consider. First, low tops come in different ranges “low”.
Some are below the ankle, some are right on the ankle, and some are even above the ankle. While that may or may not matter in terms of ankle support, they do feel very different.
So even if you want bass, I recommend trying out the different ranges of low tops if you want to be a perfectionist.
When it comes to high-tops, you should know that different models fit differently.
Some high tops may feel too loose at the ankles (still not enough ankle support), while others may feel too loose at the lower shins (lack of support or feel irritating).
Some can be annoying or restrictive to your calf muscle. Remember that every body is different.
Some of you have longer or shorter legs, thicker or thinner legs, thicker or thinner calves, different ankles are built or wear thinner or thicker socks.
All these things have an effect.
Your boxing boots should feel mobile, while providing only support for strength and security.
I've found that high-tops are not only good for ankle support, but can also make you more powerful when you throw punches.
I don't think it's so much that the shoe actually supports you and makes you more powerful. My theory is that because the shoe is bigger and touches more of your leg, you become more aware of your entire lower leg and move more of your body together, which then gives you more strength and support.
I do feel that the guys with high tops are less likely to jump around in weird overly buckled or twisted positions (because the shoes are less comfortable when you do) and so are more likely to put their legs in positions that give more balance and power.
5. Comfort and width
Comfort and width are a matter of personal preference. You will know what feels right for you by trying different pairs of shoes.
My suggestion?
Ask your friends at the local boxing gym if you can put your feet in their shoe. You will soon be able to scratch marks and materials that feel irritating to you.
The materials used and how they are bonded or glued together have the biggest impact on comfort if you ask me.
Some materials can be a nuisance or feel like they restrict your feet, such as the shoe not wanting to spread or bend your legs or push off the ground at the desired angle.
Some shoes can pinch your feet uncomfortably in the front (so you can't squeeze the balls of your feet comfortably) or they pinch in the back and give you blisters. Or even the insoles can cause blisters.
For me, the biggest problem when buying shoes is the width. I have super wide feet and if I wear shoes that are too narrow they don't push my feet off the ground for maximum stability.
I also feel like I have less balance because the shoe under my foot is narrower than the foot itself.
I imagine the opposite could also be true, if your feet are too narrow you will want a shoe that is similar in fit or at least has laces that you can put it on or else your feet or toes will have too much room in them there.
Your shoe should fit well and comfortably,
without restricting movement or causing blisters.
6. Quality
Naturally, quality is very important. You want your shoes to last a while. As long as you're using a top-branded shoe, you'll probably be fine with this.
If you want to inspect a shoe to see where quality matters most I would say it's to make sure the sole is well constructed and the bottom of the shoe doesn't look like it wears like the shoe wear out.
If so, you can use Shoe Goo or take it to a shoe repair shop to glue it back on.
Which boxing shoes are most popular in gyms?
The most popular boxing shoes
Nike, Reebok and Adidas will always be the most popular (Nike is still much more popular than the other two). If those two brands don't suit you, try going for Rival.
If you want to spend a lot of money on custom gear, try Grant. Asics and Rival can sometimes be seen as well. I think Rival is more popular depending on where you go.
I have a feeling that only amateurs and smaller guys will wear low shoes.
Bigger guys and bigger guys tend to go for med or high tops. I also noticed that Adidas (if you do see them) is more often worn by the seasoned fighters, not so much by the newbies.
Pros and seasoned amateurs are more likely to wear high-tops. If it matters to you, I would say that about 80% of the pro boxers wear Adidas med-top boxing shoes, the other 20% wear Adidas high-tops.
QUESTION: Can you use wrestling shoes for boxing?
Yes! Many fighters wear wrestling shoes for boxing.
However, I have heard that wrestling shoes can be used for boxing, but the reverse is not recommended.
I've never tried it and I imagine it would be good considering how similar the sausage shoes are to boxing shoes.
I imagine wrestling shoes probably have more grip on the outer edges than boxing shoes and are built to be more durable given the sport has you scrambling on the ground at all angles.
While boxing is mostly on your feet, boxing boots can be built more to be lightweight rather than for full 360-degree durability.
I've also heard that wrestling shoes have a bit more grip than boxing shoes (which can be bad for pivot points).
You will also notice that shoe models will be sold for both wrestling and boxing.
But beware that if you are going to buy sausage costumes online, read the reviews to make sure they can run and/or that boxers are using them successfully.
Also read: the best shin guards for kickboxing and other fighting tracks
THE PROFESSIONAL BOXING REFEREE: When is it okay to stop a match?
Now it's time for some of the rules, things that both fighters and umpires need to consider.
When to stop or not stop an umpire are the most difficult and critical decisions a umpire has to make in the ring.
If done too soon, the event is completely corrupted. If done too slowly, the boxer could be seriously injured or killed. It's often a lot harder than for example Jiu Jitsu.
Only good judgment and ring experience can help a referee make these decisions correctly.
The general rules of boxing as well as all organized rules dictate that a boxer is considered defeated if any part other than the soles of the feet touches the canvas when struck by a legal blow.
He may also be considered hanging helplessly on the ropes as a result of a legal blow; or, if struck by a legal blow, only the ropes prevented him from being knocked down.
In some cases, boxers are seen badly injured by taking repeated punches on the ropes or beaten hard with punches and bouncing off the ropes and knockdowns are not mentioned.
Referees tend to only name clear and obvious knockdowns.
However, in cases where a boxer is struck hard and held up by the ropes, and his response is poor, a knockdown call may be appropriate.
In these rare cases, the rule exclusion rule is not applied consistently or appropriately.
Referees should read the knockdown rule carefully as it may apply to these specific situations and if you watch boxing on television, look it up.
This can help you determine these unconventional "down" cases when you're in the ring.
Admittedly, it takes a lot of goodness, knowledge and guts to make these calls, but not making these calls at the right times in the right cases, rare as they are, is detrimental to a boxer's health.
These tough decisions that can determine the winner of a round resemble those of a judge awarding a 10-8 round without a knockdown.
While seemingly unconventional or incorrect for old-time enthusiasts, the fact is that there is a difference between a routine 10-9 round and a round in which a boxer is badly stunned, maybe even held up by the ropes, without going down. ; and a referee declares no knockdown.
If you were a boxer, which round would you most like to be on the winning end? The routine 10-9 or the last? Another question, who won the round more clearly?
The answers are obvious.
This philosophy in no way promotes a standing eight count in professional boxing. I am convinced that there is no place for a standing eight count in professional boxing.
A standing eight count is a completely different situation from the one we are discussing.
Referees should pay special attention to a boxer who hits the string.
In general, there is no standing eight count, but as mentioned earlier. '...if he hangs helplessly on the ropes'...or if...'only the ropes hold him back after receiving a hit(s)'...it is a legitimate knockdown.
This is a difficult task to do. Holyfield-Cooper and more recently Casamayor-Santana are a few instances where these calls were made correctly.
In both cases, this referee action has ensured that the fight is well developed.
Failure to make that call would have caused a premature stoppage or a vicious attack on the ropes as none of the boxers involved would have it easy.
Simply put, they suffered hard blows and were held up by the ropes. If the ropes hadn't been there, they would surely have gone down.
Popular or not, that's the rule no matter what anyone says.
Be alert and aware that the above guidelines are the rule for a knockdown. They are there for safety and to help determine a winner.
If a referee decides to rule a knockdown when the boxer is hanging from the ropes or has been beaten and only the ropes are holding him up, he must be absolutely sure that the rule applies exactly to the situation.
MANDATORY COUNTS
When starting a count, complete the count unless the boxer needs immediate medical attention. Give the boxer a chance to recuperate and give yourself a chance to fully evaluate him.
Again, that is unless it is clear that the boxer needs immediate medical attention.
The referee must pay close attention to all knockdowns. Some situations require more attention.
They are:
- The boxer descends hard and hits the back of his head on the canvas. Hitting the canvas in this way greatly increases the risk of injury.
- 2. The boxer descends to the face first. This obvious, unnatural response to being spanked shows a complete loss of muscle control. When a boxer disappears like this, the match is probably over.
- 3. When the boxer's neck touches the bottom or middle ropes when he falls back and then he bounces up.
- 4. The boxer descends and during your count he goes down again without taking another hit.
PROCEDURES FOR A KNOCKDOWN
Referees are different and not all knockdowns are the same. With this in mind, here are some basic techniques that referees should follow in the event of a knockdown:
- Move the boxer who scored the knockdown to the farthest neutral corner.
- 2. Get the count from the judge.
- 3. Position yourself so that you can focus on the lowered boxer, the other boxer and the knockdown judge and timekeeper.
- 4. Count out loud and succinctly while gesturing the numbers of the count with your hands.
- 5. While counting, focus on the lowered boxer and look for signs of weakness such as eye position, glazed look, dilation of the pupils, lack of stable balance, bad cuts or bleeding, etc.
- 6. Don't focus too much on the boxer in the neutral corner, unless he leaves the corner forcing you to stop the count.
- 7. Use both hands when counting from six to ten.
- 8. Place your hands so that the lowered boxer can see them. Do not ventilate, swing, etc. with your hands.
- 9. Don't show exaggerated emotion. In other words, don't make the knockdown too dramatic.
- 10. Give your critical decision on your count of 8 or 9. That is, stop the fight or let it continue.
The moment you evaluate the boxer, keep him about an arm's length away.
Don't come any closer. Avoid touching the boxer. Take a position where you can give both yourself and as many in attendance a chance to see the boxer's condition.
If the referee decides to stop the match, signal the decision by waving one or both hands above your head.
Then show respect and compassion to the boxer by removing his mouthpiece and guiding him to his corner if possible.
If a boxer protests your strike, take a step back. Don't argue with him or offer condolences or apologies.
If you choose to continue the match, clean the boxer's gloves and order the boxers to pack.
Another difficult call is when a boxer suffers a knockdown and goes back down without getting another blow.
In the Tzsyu-Judah attack, Judah went down without taking another blow and the match was then stopped.
The correctness or not of the interruption is not a focus here. It is mentioned as a reference point. It is the mechanics and considerations for a referee in this situation that we will discuss.
There are several things to consider in this situation.
In all knockdown situations, if a boxer goes down, there is a mandatory eight count. That means that even if the boxer stands up, the referee must continue to count to a minimum of eight.
Again, that is unless the boxer needs immediate attention.
If the fighter goes down again after a knockdown and during the count without receiving another blow, the umpire must continue counting (unless the fighter is clearly hurt and needs immediate medical attention).
Safety is paramount, but unless the fighter is in an obviously dangerous situation, the umpire should continue counting if the fighter falls a second time without hitting again.
This is at the discretion and discretion of the umpire.
The sport requires a final conclusion before every match. Taking this into consideration when making critical decisions is vital. Let the "experts" call it whatever way they want.
Also read: we have tested these boxing gloves and these are the best
EVALUATION OF THE FAADE BOXER
While there is no descriptive way to teach someone this, there are pointers to telling a story that can help a Referee make their critical decision. Some are:
- strong fatigue
- Skin color change
- Open mouth with bad heavy breathing
- Unbalanced posture or gait
- Lack of muscle control
- numb look
- Nausea or vomiting
- Claims about a strong head or earache
- Pupillary changes
- Bad cuts, lacerations or swelling
When it comes to the latter, in general, there is no hard and fast rule about when to stop the fight due to cuts, lacerations, or swelling.
Of course, any heavy bleeding or swelling that seriously interferes with the boxer's vision should most likely cause a stop.
The columns on this site in the “Sopranos of Ring Safety” section discuss topics relevant to our topics and are a must read for all boxers, especially referees.
All of these situations outlined above are potentially hazardous to the boxer's health and career.
Good judgment and consultation with the Ringside physician are the umpire's best tools in these situations.
It is your call to stop the match. Be alert and patient.
Examine the boxer during the count and be ready to make a decision. Don't stick with the 'you want to take back'. It's over. To concentrate!
ANOTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION
It's a count of 10, no more, no less. Recent tendencies in reaching the count of 8 or 9 are to talk to the lowered boxer and have him walk towards you.
These actions cause the count to take more than 10 seconds. This variation from umpire to umpire and often, count to count, can give a fighter an unfair advantage over his opponent.
Asking the fallen boxer if he wants to go ahead and let him take a few steps towards you is certainly acceptable. However, it is not advisable to spend a longer period of time.
A well-trained and experienced referee is able to evaluate the boxer within the time frame dictated by the rules.
BE PRESENT WITH THE BUNNY BOXER
A pounded boxer should be followed immediately. The joy of a boxer and the magnitude of an event should not overshadow a boxer's physical condition.
Don't leave or even so much as a beaten boxer turns his back.
Showing compassion for the bearded boxer is mandatory. Never leave a bucked boxer to groom himself. Guide him back to his corner and remove his mouthpiece where possible.
With this said, don't over do it. Avoid excesses. The goal is to treat a beaten boxer with respect, not to steal a moment in front of the camera.
Referees look pretty ridiculous.
HARD KNOCKOUTS
Fans love the knockout. Referees should be afraid of it. One solid blow or a combination of blows can leave you with a fallen boxer.
Fallen for good.
Then your career will change forever. If you don't think so, ask a referee who has had a boxer victim in the ring. Boxing is serious business, period.
Do your job and always do it right. The consequences can be horrific.
If a KO instance occurs, the referee will immediately call the first GP to examine the boxer. He stays with the boxer until he is in the care of the doctor.
At the doctor's request, he may stay and assist him or her. When the referee is no longer needed, he removes himself and immediately informs the representative of the committee and the supervisor of his decision.
Leave the first-hand doctor and inspector to take care of the dumped boxer immediately.
It is important to note that reaching the number of 10 or not is not indicative of the length of time a boxer can be suspended.
Communication with the ringside physician at this critical point is vital to the boxer's safety and well-being.
