Boxing Gloves Used By Pros In Big Fights In 2026

Boxing gloves are far more than just protection—they’re the tools that let fighters express their style and turn close fights into classics.

That massive 2025 super fight where Terence Crawford put on a clinic against Canelo Alvarez and became undisputed at super middleweight?

The gloves were part of the story too. We’re taking a proper deep dive today into what the current top boxers are actually wearing in the ring: the leading brands, the key differences between puncher and boxer styles, the exact choices of the elite, and why glove selection always becomes a talking point in the biggest matchups.

Whether you’re brand new to the sport or follow every round, we’ll keep it clear and relatable—gloves are like a driver’s steering wheel: the right feel can make all the difference.

The biggest brands have earned their place because they consistently deliver what pros need. Everlast remains the classic, battle-tested choice with a long history of backing world champions.

Cleto Reyes stands out for that authentic Mexican craftsmanship designed to maximise punch impact. Winning sets the standard for hand safety with exceptional multi-layer foam padding.

Grant excels at custom-made fits that feel tailor-made for each fighter’s hands. Rival brings modern innovation with designs that balance power delivery and protection perfectly.

The puncher vs boxer glove debate is one of the most interesting divides in the sport. Punchers—fighters who hunt knockouts—tend to favour gloves with less padding directly over the knuckles.

Traditional horsehair filling compresses more on impact, allowing cleaner power transfer and harder felt shots. Classic Mexican-style gloves like Cleto Reyes are the prime example: premium leather construction with that denser horsehair feel that makes punches land heavier.

Boxers—the technical masters who prefer to outskill opponents over twelve rounds—choose gloves with thicker, shock-absorbing multi-layer foam that spreads force and keeps hands fresher longer. Winning and Grant models are the go-to here for that extra cushion.

Weight rules stay consistent: 8 ounces for divisions up to welterweight, 10 ounces for heavier classes, as required by most athletic commissions in the United States. Genuine leather remains the standard for durability and feel.

Boxing Gloves Used By Pros In Big Fights In 2026

Horsehair padding is still permitted when the gloves are brand new and pass inspection, but modern foam has become dominant because it holds its shape better and offers more consistent protection throughout a fight.

Think of it this way: puncher gloves feel closer to a wrapped fist with just enough cover to meet rules, while boxer gloves add that forgiving layer that lets volume punchers stay busy without breaking down their own hands. One style chases early finishes; the other builds toward decisions.

Now let’s look at what the current elite actually use.

Oleksandr Usyk, the reigning heavyweight king with footwork and ring IQ like no other, relies on custom Rival RFX-Guerrero professional fight gloves. They give him the ideal mix of feel and protection for his high-volume, angle-creating style.

Shakur Stevenson, the sharp young defensive genius, also chooses custom Rival RFX-Guerrero models for competition, allowing him to slip and counter with pinpoint accuracy while keeping his hands safe.

Tyson Fury mixes things up depending on the matchup but often goes with Paffen Sport professional models that offer a wide, puncher-friendly fit in his trademark colours.

Manny Pacquiao built his Hall of Fame career wearing Cleto Reyes—the ultimate puncher glove that helped his explosive speed translate into devastating knockouts.

Dmitry Bivol prefers Grant custom gloves, prioritising the tailored protection that supports his textbook technique and high work rate.

Naoya Inoue, Japan’s devastating “Monster”, stays loyal to custom Winning gloves. The superior padding matches his precision and lets him throw combinations without hand concerns.

Floyd Mayweather constructed his perfect 50-0 record primarily in Grant 10-ounce gloves, loving how they moulded to his hands for defensive mastery.

That brings us to the 2025 blockbuster: Terence Crawford versus Canelo Alvarez. Crawford delivered a dominant unanimous decision performance to claim super middleweight supremacy.

He wore his trusted custom Everlast gloves—reliable foam construction that kept his hands fresh through high-volume output.

Canelo laced up his signature custom No Boxing No Life gloves, Mexican-made with the puncher-oriented design he’s long favoured.

Finally, the reason gloves become such a major talking point in huge fights. Everything is supposed to be agreed in the contract stage: brand, model, weight, even colour in some cases.

Yet fight week often sees tension rise when teams inspect the opponent’s gloves. Accusations surface about padding distribution, possible tampering, or one brand giving an unfair power advantage.

With careers and massive paydays on the line, even small perceived edges matter. Athletic commissions conduct thorough checks and approvals to ensure fairness, but the inherent differences between puncher and boxer styles mean debate is never far away.

At the end of the day, gloves are the quiet influencers in every great boxing performance.

From Usyk’s balanced Rival customs to Inoue’s protective Winning pair, they reflect each fighter’s approach.

Time will tell what are the most effective in the actual awake reality of the heat of actual big fights this year.

Not what commentors predict or suggest.