If this old ,old poster is to be believed–and I know of no reason why it shouldn’t be–fighters have been duking it out bare-chested since at least the early 1800’s. Fighting (whether gloved or bare-knuckles) is an old sport, and developed in an era before there were a lot of options in athletic or leisure wear–it was pretty much “all or nothing” in terms of upper body cover. Later on, the practice continued out of custom and habit, like so many things in sports.
So they can’t use it for championship fights, according to the rules. Do you have any doubt that boxers who don’t happen to be fighting for a title will use lubricants?
Besides, how many of those guys do you think owned more than one shirt? Those things cost money, you know. Shame to get any blood on it.
I do.
It wouldn’t make any sense, and perhaps even prohibit perspiration.
And I’ve watched billion non-championship fights. I’ve never seen a trainer apply lubricant to a body (and they apply it to a face almost every round).
I’ve never seen lubricant on a body.
Lastly, I suspect that even in non-championship fights, they’re fighting according to the same rules.
Sweat will do an okay job of defelcting blows, if my mosh pit experience is of any relevence.
That would help, I am sure. I was thinking of American Football uniforms. I understand those are very sheer and tight so they can’t grab them by it. (the fabric on top, not the plastic underpieces)
And, of course, boxers have been fighting to show off their manliness for a lot longer than they’ve been fighting to win money, or to honor their country. For most boxing, it really doesn’t matter whether you win or lose, but how you look doing it.
Having watched numerous non-championship fights on television and in person, yes I do doubt that.
TV viewership. I kid you not. Not cite on hand, but I do recall an article about 5 years ago or so from Volleyball magazine.
The article also went on to say that men’s shorts had to end at least 10cm above the knee. That’s 4", which is fine if you are over 6’ tall. But in the men’s league I played in, which was required to follow Volleyball Canada rules, which followed the above FIVA Rules, there were men whose height would have made that awkward. Luckily, the rules were not strictly enforced.
Comfort? The guy is getting the living bejesus beaten out of him and comfort is an issue?
mm
And no higher, or no lower?
No lower, penis length notwithstanding
They’re pushing their bodies to the limit, standing under bright lights, and for all the bobbing and weaving, they’re more or less staying in place which means they don’t get a breeze to cool off. Most boxers train more intensly than any other type of athlete, and even with a minutes break between three minute rounds, a lot of fights get stopped because one guy is completely worn out. A shirt would only make them overheat faster (as would vaseline, but the face needs the help.)
Besides, a good heavyweight can punch with a force of 1100-1600psi (allegedly). Who would want to want to have a layer of soaking wet fabric repeatedly rubbed against their skin with that much force?