Association of Ringside Physicians asks NAC for ‘caution’ in allowing glove change for Mayweather vs. McGregor

The Association of Ringside Physicians (ARP) is asking the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) to exercise “caution” in its hearing for the requested change in glove size for the Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor boxing match.

In a letter from the ARP to the NAC sent Tuesday, ARP board chairman Dr. Raymond Monsell writes that Mayweather vs. McGregor “has already been set a specified weight class,” which requires 10-ounce gloves per NAC regulations. Teams for Mayweather and McGregor will be requesting a change to 8-ounce gloves Wednesday at the NAC’s meeting for the Aug. 26 bout in Las Vegas.

“Unless there is scientific evidence to support the view that such a change might improve the safety of the bout, we should strongly caution against allowing current regulations to be over-ruled,” Monsell wrote. “To do so would also set a precedent for future bouts.”

Under NAC and most boxing rules, in fights that take place under 147 pounds athletes can wear 8-ounce gloves. But Mayweather vs. McGregor is being contested at 154 pounds and the regulations say 10-ounce gloves are required. NAC executive director Bob Bennett told MMA Fighting two weeks ago that both teams can get a waiver to wear 8-ounce gloves if the commissioners vote in favor of that.

“They would have to come before the commission and articulate why they should be permitted to have their fight using 8-ounce gloves,” Bennett said. "The chairman (Anthony Marnell) and commissioners would make the determination with the health and safety of the fighters being the number-one priority.”

Mayweather said last week that he would be trying to give McGregor another “advantage” by making the glove size lighter, since McGregor wears 4-ounce gloves in the UFC. McGregor said he doesn’t care either way what the glove size is, but is predicting he’ll knock out Mayweather within two rounds if the 8-ounce gloves are worn.

“Both guys have agreed that they want to fight in 8-ounce gloves,” Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe said last week at Mayweather’s media workout day. “Both guys are looking to knock each other out. The smaller the gloves, the better. Conor is used to fighting in 4-ounce gloves, Floyd is used to fighting in 8-ounce gloves.

“I think it’s a good thing. I think with the mindset that both guys have, they’re looking to knock each other out. … This isn’t a game or anything. If the commission approves it, both guys will be wearing the same ounce gloves. I think the probability increases if both guys are wearing 8-ounce gloves that somebody is getting knocked out.”