Do Boxers Wear Protective Cups When Fighting?

The phrase “hitting below the belt” originateswith the boxing rule that you’re just not allowed to do it. In boxing, therules for a fair fight should prevent injury to the groin area. However,accidents happen, and a fighter only gets five minutes of recovery time tobounce back after a groin hit.

So, do boxers wear protective cups whenfighting? Boxers should wear groinguards to protect them against either accidental or illegal intentional hitsbelow the belt. Cup protection reduces the impact of a blow to prevent damageto the groin area. However, a cup does not keep a fighter from feeling the painof a direct hit.

Among the boxing community, there is a discussion about whether or not it’s worth it to wear a cup because it merely dulls the pain of a hit. What you should know, though, is that the impact of a direct hit to the groin, whether the boxer is male or female, could result in severe damage, so wearing a cup has serious benefits.

Boxers Not Wearing a Cup Are atRisk

Blows below thebelt are more common in sports where kicking is allowed, but sometimes thathappens in boxing, too. It is not legal for a fighter to intentionally hit anopponent below the belt, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. To prevent injury, most clubs will requireall boxers, male and female, to wear a groin protector.

The risks of not wearing a cup for men are alittle more obvious. A direct hit to the testicl*s can result in torsion orrupture.

Torsion occurs when the connective cording becomes twisted, cutting off theblood flow to the testicl*s. Without medical attention, the testicl* maylose function or even need to be removed.
Testicular rupture is rare but happens whenthe testicl* takes a direct hit or is forced too hard against the pelvic bone,causing blood to pool in the scrotum. It requires immediate medical attentionand surgery to fix.

Males are not exclusively at risk from notwearing a groin protector, though. Thefemale groin can be damaged by a direct blow, as well. Female genitalia,while anatomically is more tucked up, is sensitive and has a lot of nerveendings. This means a direct blow will result in mind-numbing pain, potentialtearing, and risk of surgery and hospitalization.

Benefits of Wearing a Cup in Boxing

Something you may not have considered is theline of demarcation on your body created by both the top ridge of the groinguard and the high waistband of your shorts. Most boxers fight shirtless or ina breast-protecting sports bra to leave the waist of their shorts visible. Thisvisible waistline has a purpose, and the groin protector reinforces it.

The waistline of the shortscreates a definitive boundary on the body, below whichno hits are allowed.

The main benefit of wearing agroin protector is that the high waist bolsters the waistband of your shorts. You want to keep that body boundary nice and high above your hips,without fear of it slipping down, to deter unnecessarily low punches.

This bolstered waistband alsocreates a smaller target for your opponent. Forexample, if you bout wearing a baggy t-shirt, the hem of that shirt creates theillusion of a lower waistline. In the heat of a fight, your opponent’s brainwill not register where your natural waist is, but rather, will accept the visualinput solely of where the visual of your shorts start.

So, not only do you want to either goshirtless or tuck your shirt into the waistband, you’ll want something thatprotects you from the waistband of your shorts all the way to your genitals.

Downsides of Protective Cups

One obvious downside of the groin protector isthat it doesn’t prevent a boxer from feeling any pain at all. All it can dois spread the force of the impact out to the sides of more delicate areas.The male genital region will still feel enough impact to potentially bringabout nausea. Additionally, the hard edges may dig into your hip creases, whichis also quite painful.

It’s for this reason fighters receive afive-minute recovery period for below the belt hits.If it takes longer than this to come back to your senses, you are considered“knocked out.” That doesn’t mean that you should learn how to work through thatpain, though. Please be mindful of the risk of not seeking medical attention toyour injury.

But returning to the negatives of wearing acup, aside from only reducing pain, the other issue most people face whenwearing a cup is a poor fit. It is yourresponsibility to find a cup that properly fits, both for your comfort andprotection.

Obviously, a too-small cup could result inpotentially taking a direct hit and incurring serious damage. Too-large of acup is not good either, as you’ll take the impact of the hit around the edgesof the cup much harder. This can lead to severe bruising, tissue damage, oreven blunt edge cuts.

Top 3 Best Cups and Groin Protectors for Male Boxers

There are a lot of options on the market formale boxers, but these three are our favorites. No matter which cup you go for,make sure that the fit is correct and that you feel comfortable in it.Test it progressively, so no hard hits when you first put it on. Check to makesure that even light blows won’t cause you damage. Then, work up tosparring-level potential impacts.

Product	Why We Like It	Check the Price
#1 Lo-Bloo Thai Cup 2.0	• Nothing between the buttocks • Stays in place • Great cushioning around edges • Made of steel	Check it out on Amazon.com
#2 Title Gel Elite Groin & Ab Protector	• Lightweight • Easily adjustable • Nice material • Gel insert absorbs a lot of the shock	Check it out on Amazon.com
#3 Pro Impact Boxing Groin & Abdominal Protector	• Padded throughout • High hip for a great range of motion • Deeper curve on the cup for more coverage	Check it out on Amazon.com

Top 3 Best Cups and Groin Protectors Made for Female Boxers

Below, we’re focusing on our three favoriteguards that were designed specifically for women. You may find that you preferthe coverage and protection of something like the Lo-Bloo Thai Cup 2.0 for men.However, you might also want to try one of these for more female cateredprotection.

Product	Why We Like It	Check the Price
#1 Lo-Bloo Aero Slim Female	• Low profile with no bulge • Great protection • Stays in place • Lightweight	Check it out on Amazon.com
#2 Jili Online Women Crotch Guard Groin Protector	• Comfortable elastic waistband • High-density foam cushioning against impact • Variety of sizes	Check it out on Amazon.com
#3 TITLE Boxing Female No-Foul Protector 2.0	• Comes with ab protection • Extra-long “banana-style” coverage • Feels supportive but doesn’t impede range of motion	Check it out on Amazon.com

Wrapping It Up

While most boxing classes, clubs, andcompetitions will require you to wear a cup, they may not explicitly statethis. Whether you are male or female, please invest in a good quality cup thatfits you properly and allows you a good range of motion. Not wearing a cup canresult in serious injury, even in a sport that doesn’t allow below the belthits. Box safely.

Certainly! The passage delves into boxing regulations regarding hits below the belt, emphasizing the necessity of protective cups or groinguards to prevent injuries in the groin area. Here's a breakdown of the concepts covered:

Boxing Regulations and Groin Protection: In boxing, the rule against hitting below the belt exists to prevent injury to the groin area. While accidental hits can occur, fighters are allowed a limited recovery time (usually five minutes) after such hits. Groinguards, or protective cups, are essential to mitigate the impact and reduce potential damage.
Purpose and Function of Groinguards: Groinguards are designed to diminish the impact of a blow, preventing severe damage to the groin area. However, they don't completely eliminate the sensation of pain from a direct hit. Despite debates within the boxing community about their efficacy in dulling pain, wearing a cup remains crucial due to the serious risks associated with direct hits to the groin, regardless of the boxer's gender.
Risks of Not Wearing a Cup: The risks for both male and female boxers include severe injuries such as torsion or rupture for men and potential tearing, extreme pain, and surgery for women. Clubs typically mandate wearing groinguards to minimize these risks.
Benefits of Wearing Groinguards: The primary advantage is creating a clear body boundary below which no hits are allowed. The groinguards reinforce the high waistband of boxing shorts, defining this boundary and reducing the target area for opponents. Additionally, they offer protection against illegal blows and help maintain a smaller target during a match.
Downsides of Groinguards: While groinguards spread the force of impact, they do not eliminate pain entirely. Poorly fitting cups can cause discomfort or even worsen injuries. A too-small cup might fail to provide adequate protection, while a too-large cup could cause additional harm or hinder movement.
Best Groin Protectors for Male and Female Boxers: The passage lists recommended groinguards for both male and female boxers, emphasizing the importance of proper fit, comfort, and progressive testing to ensure protection against potential impacts.
Conclusion and Safety Precautions: Not wearing a cup can result in severe injuries, and it's advised to invest in high-quality, properly fitting groinguards for safety, even in boxing classes or competitions where it might not be explicitly mandated.

Understanding these concepts is crucial for boxers to prioritize their safety during matches and training sessions, regardless of the rules or regulations set by clubs or competitions.

Do Boxers Wear Protective Cups When Fighting? | Shortboxing (2024)