Boxing, once one of the most popular sports globally, was in decline until feuds between Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, and Conor McGregor brought it into the spotlight. While all boxing fans love to see the heated exchange of blows between boxers, have you ever wondered whether or not there is a purpose behind boxers wearing shorts that are too short?
All strokes below the hypothetical line drawn from one hip bone to the other are considered low strokes. Boxers tend to wear their shorts high to gain the psychological advantage of their opponents by hiding this line and throwing punches away.
Of course, in a competitive contact sport like boxing, every aspect of a boxer’s attire plays a role in his ability to fight. All of the clothing a boxer wears can be considered a piece of equipment that is essential to their performance. The rest of this article will discuss the different purposes that boxer shorts fulfill that you would never have guessed! let’s start!
Why are the boxing shorts so high?
As I mentioned above, One of the primary reasons boxers wear shorts is to protect themselves from body blows by riding in shorts. Although technically the height of the shorts does not determine legal strikes, this trick can confuse the opponent and the referee. Not only will the opponent have difficulty finding areas that are allowed to be punched, but the referee may also declare a punch above the imaginary line illegal because that area of the body is not visible. Even if the referee made the correct call, the crowd would definitely start to howl their eyes; will be wrong.
One reason for this is the discomfort caused by the bulk of the groin guard. The groin guard is worn too high and wearing your shorts lower can result in a restriction when it comes to your leg movements. Although this is a legitimate reason to wear relatively short shorts, some boxers overdo it to use the above trick.
Another important reason to wear shorts is to enhance mobility. Often, if baggy pants hang too low, they restrict movement of the legs, which is naturally undesirable for a boxer. Furthermore, using your shorts to cover your lower abdomen will add a layer of protection, which may prevent you from being blown away by the wind due to any blows directed towards your stomach.
Why do boxers wear such big shorts?
Have you ever wondered why boxer shorts are so baggy and bulky? The answers to this question will seem very simple when you find them.
One of the main reasons boxers wear baggy, oversized shorts is to improve air circulation around their legs. Boxing is a physically demanding sport that requires a lot of complex and grueling footwork. Unlike mixed martial arts, boxers do not use their legs to strike their opponents, so it wouldn’t make sense to use tight shorts/pants that make it easier for them to lift their legs. On the other hand, baggy pants will not only give their legs room to breathe in a crowded yard, but will also allow for better blood circulation in their legs.
Like the height of the shorts, the size of the spoiler guard also determines the size of the shorts. It is a great piece of equipment to put under shorts to keep your genitals protected from any harm. Naturally, the larger the bug guard, the larger the shorts have to be to fit. Furthermore, larger groin guards usually provide better protection, which is why some boxers forgo the streamlined look for better protection for their genitals.
One of the reasons why boxer shorts have grown in size over time is the influx of sponsors willing to advertise through the boxers. An example of this is Manny Pacquiao’s shorts in his match against Floyd Mayweather, which left him alone 2.25 million dollars through sponsors. As the sport of boxing becomes more commercial, of course, athletes will try to find ways to make more money, and increasing the size of your boxing shorts can be another of those ways.
This theory makes more and more sense after seeing the growth in popularity of MMA and boxing en masse in recent years. Fighters like Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather have made millions by having singles matches, heralded as the biggest fights of the century.
Why do boxers wear belts?
Like every piece of clothing a boxer wears, the belt also has its purpose. The main reason for the belt is to show whether or not there is a hole under the belt. While some boxers wear their shorts and belt higher to throw an opponent, the true purpose of the belt is to align the imaginary line, below which you cannot strike.
A common misconception about the belt of boxer shorts is that the phrase “below the belt” is taken literally. This is why some people believe that by wearing shorts, boxers are making their bodies below the belt illegal. In fact, it is the fixed default line that matters, not the position of the belt. Apart from this, the belt also allows the shorts to fit more tightly around the waist, which enhances mobility.
Why do they pour water into boxer shorts?
I can bet there was a time when I saw boxers drop cold water on their pants and wonder what they were doing. The reasons behind pouring cold water down your boxer shorts are fairly simple. The crotch next to the head and armpits is one of the body’s heat centers. Pouring cold water on a hot spot such as the crotch area cools your body, making it easier to regain stamina.
In addition, cold water also has a shock effect on your body, which, for a temporary period, wakes you up and makes you more energetic. In this way, boxers can get a power boost after each round using cold water. Although this method is temporary, its effectiveness cannot be questioned.