Mayweather wants 8oz gloves
Floyd Mayweather has formally requested to use 8oz gloves when he fights Conor McGregor in Las Vegas on August 26. The former five-weight world champion submitted a necessary waiver to the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) on Wednesday, hours before the deadline.
The NAC, which sanctioned the bout, told BBC Sport it expected to receive a request from McGregor on Wednesday.
NAC rules state fights at 154 lbs require 10oz gloves and the matter will now be debated on August 16. Lighter gloves offer less cushioning for the hands but theoretically lead to punches being more punishing. Last week Mayweather posted an Instagram message stating: “I’ll be wearing 8oz Grant gloves.” But the undefeated fighter - who will come out of retirement for the bout - had not submitted a necessary waiver document at that stage. Instead, his team had asked the authorities what the process of using lighter gloves entailed.
At the time, NAC executive director Bob Bennett told BBC Sport he had never seen a move to 8oz gloves at 154lbs before.
Rules state that 10oz gloves are used from 135lbs upwards but bouts between 135lbs and 147lbs can use 8oz gloves if waivers are signed and the NAC feels the move is justified.
“Even if they are both in agreement, our number one policy is the health and safety of the fighters,” said Bennett. “To deviate from our regulations at a difference of 7lbs would be for the chairman and commissioners to determine.”
During his UFC career, McGregor has used 4oz gloves and he welcomed Mayweather’s Instagram post last week, stating: “I am coming sprinting at you with bricks. Know that. Brittle hands.”