Sparring Protective Gear

[major_mango]

My First Post; Ive been lurking.

I have been going to a NYC Gym w/training since April. I am going to start sparring soon.

I am looking for headgear and a foul protector. I like both Grant and Everlast.

Any suggestions on specific headgear and foul protectors?

ALSO: I have a huge head. In the USMC and ice hockey in school I needed help getting a helmet that fit. The only advice that I have seen re: headgear is to get a smaller size so it fits tight. Any Large Grapes out there that have headgear to recommend?

[Super_Fly_Sam]

i got a kinda big head mate.. but a normal sized head gear seems to work fine for me... i got a twins one that fits perfectly but i know they make larger ones aswell... maybe u could check them out

[gregsid]

Just go to titleboxing.com and look up the right gear for you.

[Butch Coolidge]

Depends on the amount of protection you want as far as equipment goes. For the most protection I suggest a cage. If you want good protection get Mexican style headgear.

As far as foulcups go I've used Title, Cleto, Everlast, Ringside with Cleto Reyes being my favorite.

[gregsid]

Yeah, the cage is good for first time sparing, just to get used to hits. Then after a few months you can upgrade to the regular headgear.

[Butch Coolidge]

Cages are good for veterans too because of the amount of damage done to the eyes in previous fights. If I was going to spar again I'd have to use a cage.

[major_mango]

A Cage, huh? Intersting. Not the advice I expected.

Is there a link to a size chart? My head is 24.5" (62cm) around (My poor mother).

I guess I should look at Reyes too. I know money means different things to different people, but to me, spending an additional $50 for a more comfortable, better made piece of gear seems worth it.

[Little_Mac]

If your going to fight in the amatuers make sure everything you use is USA boxing approved. If not, well then don't worry about it.

[major_mango]

On that note, I turn 38 in November and while I go to the gym 5 days a week for 2 hours and am making progress, my reading of the USA Boxing rules lead me to believe that competion is mostly an impossibility.

I just want comfortable, well made protective gear, so that when sparring does begin, I can avoid cuts and see what I am doing.

[Butch Coolidge]

On that note, I turn 38 in November and while I go to the gym 5 days a week for 2 hours and am making progress, my reading of the USA Boxing rules lead me to believe that competion is mostly an impossibility.

I just want comfortable, well made protective gear, so that when sparring does begin, I can avoid cuts and see what I am doing.

Go with the cage. I know that me being old and out of shape I would have to rely on equipment to protect me if I was sparring some youngster without any control. A cage will restrict your vision a bit but the added protection to the eyes is worth it IMO.

I think there's a masters division you can compete in but chances are you'll have a hard time finding an opponent in a tournament. I'm not sure if they have the same classes like subnovice, novice and open.

[LoBlow]

my reading of the USA Boxing rules lead me to believe that competion is mostly an impossibility.

Do not count your self out, there is the masters division for 36 years old and above, Of course there are less master boxers fighting in the Amateurs, but they are out there and are looking for other master boxers to fight, I don't know where you are located but when you are trained and ready to fight start calling local gyms and asking if they have 35 and older amateur fighters looking to box

[cross_trainer]

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[Butch Coolidge]

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[major_mango]

I prefer Cross Trainers gear. The air conditioned cup sold it for me. Plus red isn't my color.

[ralphc]

My First Post; Ive been lurking.

I have been going to a NYC Gym w/training since April. I am going to start sparring soon.

I am looking for headgear and a foul protector. I like both Grant and Everlast.

Any suggestions on specific headgear and foul protectors?

ALSO: I have a huge head. In the USMC and ice hockey in school I needed help getting a helmet that fit. The only advice that I have seen re: headgear is to get a smaller size so it fits tight. Any Large Grapes out there that have headgear to recommend?


Headgear, like anything else, varies a lot in quality, but the price may or may not be indicative of quality. Different brands also tend to feel different. If you are short of money then it is kind of a crapshoot as to which is the best for you. I would stick with the big name brands and get their top of the line models.

[major_mango]

Ok, well I will start with Grant Pro Gear and see if I like it. I'll post a review and maybe someone in the future will learn from us.

[major_mango]

Well, I finally got in the ring! It went VERY well, thanks!

I purchased the Grant Pro Head & Foul Protectors. I didn't take too many shots (float like a butterfly ;) ) but I could see and it was not any distraction.

I went with a Large Grant Foul Protector (38" waist (not pant size - real measurement)) and when my trainer put it on, he really cinched it on to my waist.

I noticed that the two straps that come down along the back were WAY too big. I thought of taping them up, but again, did not even notice during the sparring.

I am thinking of trying to exchange the foul protector for the Regular size, as the cup section of the foul protector is too low when the top of the gear is at the proper place on my waist.

Don't really have any questions, just wanted to update in case a future searcher is curious.

[john garfield]

Do not count your self out, there is the masters division for 36 years old and above, Of course there are less master boxers fighting in the Amateurs, but they are out there and are looking for other master boxers to fight, I don't know where you are located but when you are trained and ready to fight start calling local gyms and asking if they have 35 and older amateur fighters looking to box

You should be able to find masters boxers at this site who are itchin' to spar, and located all over the U.S. Hope it helps.

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