I have my first amateur boxing match, what gear do I need in 2024?

You’ve done your roadwork, you’ve got your rounds on the bag, put in serious rounds sparring, made the weight and now you’re ready to showcase your skills, but you forgot one thing, you need USA boxing approved equipment! It’s one of the most common questions I get asked and normally it’s under urgent circumstances. While training for a fight it’s often easy to forget about the small details like, what gear is required for a USA boxing sanctioned event in 2024. Here's a cheat sheet that’ll get you to the ring.

 

 Do I need to buy gloves?

For a USA boxing sanctioned event you are not required to bring your own gloves, in fact it is the obligation of the event organizer to provide USA Boxing approved gloves; furthermore, they must be approved by the official in charge and according to rule 36.4 in the USA Boxing rulebook a boxer is not permitted to wear their own gloves.

 

 Can I just use my training headgear?

That depends, does your headgear have the USA boxing approved label on it? If not, then it probably won’t cut it. Rule 37.1 in the USA Boxing rulebook states you need either the USA boxing approved label or the IBA (formerly AIBA) Stamp on your gear for it to be approved for your sanctioned bout.  It’s easy to spot these headgears usually have “competition” headgear in the title or have the USA boxing/ IBA boxing approved stamp visibly shown on the product or product description. You have a choice of check protector or non-cheek protector styled headgear. Although red or blue colored headgear is recommended you have the option of choosing variety of colored headgear if it’s USA boxing approved/IBA approved, yet some national events may be firmer on the policy, it’s important to check the event fact sheet (35, USA boxing handbook). I’ve linked an approved USA boxing headgear below for reference:

  

Best Option with Cheek Protectors $99.99

Rival Competition Headgear

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most Versatile amateur boxing headgear $160

USA Boxing and IBA approved Sting headgear

 

 

 

 

Best Budget USA Boxing Approved Headgear $69.99

RDX Open Face Competition headgear

 

Do I need a USA boxing approved mouthpiece?

Although there isn't a USA Boxing stamp for mouthpieces you do need a mouthguard to compete. If you wear braces you must have a completed release to compete with braces for boxers under 18 years of age.

 

Best Boil-down Mouthguard

Impact Mouthpieces 

 

 

 

 

 

Best Non-boil mouthguard that's similar to a custom mouthguard. 

Zone Mouthpieces 

 

 

 

 

Do I need to wear a protective cup?

Yes, although there isn’t an official USA boxing approved cup if you’re a male you’ll need a groin guard, for females it’s optional and so is a breast protector.

Popular Protective cups

What about USA  Boxing Approved clothing? 

According to the USA boxing rulebook you’ll need shorts that are no shorter than mid-thigh, cannot cover the knee, and must be worn above beltline. The beltline must have a clear contrasting color with an elastic band that’s 2-4 inches wide, so basically the trunks waistband must be a different color than the shirt. The shirt worn must be a short-sleeved singlet or jersey that a different color from the waistband of the shorts.  As far as shoes go, you’ll need a lightweight pair of shoes that doesn’t have spikes or heels on them, and your socks can’t be longer than knee length. Checkout some shoppable examples below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sting Competition Tank $29.99

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sting Competition Trunks $39.99

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Best Bargain Set with versatility $49.99

Title Reversible Set 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boxing and Wrestling Shoes

Having a nice pair of lightweight and supportive shoes is crucial to feeling confident and being able to perform under pressure, like when you're competing in a boxing match. Here's a few popular picks from our consumers. 

 

Most Versatile Boxing Shoe

Everlast Elite 2.0 Boxing Shoes $120

the hybrid design

means it's meant to be worn 

in and out the ring. 

 

 

Most Agile Boxing Shoe

Nike HyperKO2 $189.99

really popular amongst nationally 

ranked amateurs and professional

boxers. 

 

 

 

 

For our complete collection of boxing and wrestling  shoes click here.

 

 

This pretty much sums up what you’ll need to compete for you first amateur boxing match, approved headgear, proper shoes, competition set (tank & trunks), mouthpiece, and a protective cup. For a more detailed breakdown of uniform specifications click the link: USA boxing handbook for 2024  if you want to shop all our USA Boxing approved gear for kid's, teen, adults and even master's division click here.