For white collar boxing you need five things: 16oz gloves (14oz if you're under 55kg) and hand wraps, an open-face head guard, a gum shield and a groin guard. Muay Thai adds shin guards. You bring your own from week 1 of fight camp, so here's what to buy and how to get it right.
The kit list
- Gloves16oz, or 14oz if you're under 55kg
- Hand wrapsWorn under your gloves every session
- Head guardOpen face or cheek protectors. Full-face head guards aren't allowed on fight night
- Gum shieldProperly fitted, and worn throughout camp
- Groin guardNon-negotiable
- Shin guardsMuay Thai only. Padded from knee to instep
Gloves
Glove weight is about padding, not your strength. 16oz gloves carry more padding, which protects your sparring partner and your own hands. That's why 16oz is the standard for sparring and for our fight nights, with 14oz for fighters under 55kg.
- Lace-up or Velcro? Velcro. You can get them on and off alone.
- Fit: with wraps on, your fist should close comfortably and your fingertips should sit near the end of the glove.
- Muay Thai or boxing gloves? Either works for training, as long as they're the right weight. Muay Thai gloves are often a little more flexible, which helps in the clinch.
- Look after them: air them out after every session. Sweaty gloves in a zipped bag will stink within a week.
Hand wraps
Wraps support the small bones in your hand and your wrist. Long wraps give you more support across the knuckles and wrist, and the elasticated kind are easier to get tight. If you are not sure how to wrap, ask your coaches to show you. Buy two pairs, so one can dry while you train in the other.
Head guard
You'll need an open-face head guard or one with cheek protectors. Full-face head guards, the kind with a bar across the front, aren't allowed on fight night. It should sit snug without slipping over your eyes when you move your head. Try it on with your gum shield in.
Gum shield
The single most important bit of kit. A boil-and-bite gum shield fitted properly at home is fine for most people. Follow the instructions exactly, and refit it if it feels loose. Wear it throughout camp, not just in sparring, so you get used to breathing with it in. Fight night is not the time to find out it makes you gag.
Groin guard
Non-negotiable, for everyone. Men's and women's versions are both available. Your future self will thank you.
Shin guards (Muay Thai)
Choose shin guards padded from knee to instep, so shins meet padding, not bone, when you kick or check a kick. Slip-on styles stay in place better than strap-only ones.
What else to bring
- A vest or T-shirt and shorts you can move in
- A water bottle and a small towel
- A bag you can air your gloves out of
On fight night
Our team checks every fighter's kit. You'll use your own if it's safe. If it isn't, we provide gloves. Read the white collar boxing rules for the rest of what happens on the night.
Questions
What kit do I need for white collar boxing?
16oz gloves (14oz if you're under 55kg) and hand wraps, an open-face head guard, a gum shield and a groin guard. Muay Thai adds shin guards.
What size boxing gloves should a beginner buy?
16oz for sparring and fight camp, or 14oz if you're under 55kg.
Do I need my own kit for fight camp?
Yes. Bring your own from week 1, for training and sparring.
Are full-face head guards allowed?
Not on fight night. Use an open-face head guard or one with cheek protectors.
Do I need to buy kit for fight night?
No, you use the kit you trained in. Our team checks it on the night, and if it isn't safe, we provide gloves.
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