No touching gloves?

[johnreilly]

At a UK amateur boxing event last night, the referee warned the boxers a couple of times not to touch gloves during the round. Anyone know why this would be? Is it perhaps a safety measure, in case one boxer puts his hand out to touch gloves and his oppenent just lamps him?

[JMac]

At a UK amateur boxing event last night, the referee warned the boxers a couple of times not to touch gloves during the round. Anyone know why this would be? Is it perhaps a safety measure, in case one boxer puts his hand out to touch gloves and his oppenent just lamps him?

Yes basically. You are supposed to touch gloves before the bout begins when the ref brings them together to do that and after the bout if they want but during the bout no, it's not sparring.
On a side note, two brothers from Baltimore who are both pros now and both had well over 100 amateur bouts would always put their glove out after the 1st bell rang to try and get their opponent to touch gloves and if they did, they would wack them. It was funny to watch but of course a cheap shot. That's why they have the rule.

[crusader]

Which brothers are those?

I think it's a good rule. Boxers can express respect during bouts through nods and facial expressions that won't increase the risk of serious injury.

[JMac]

Which brothers are those?

Maxell and Manny Taylor