Boxing gloves are cushioned gloves designed to protect both a fighter's hands and their opponent, a significant departure from ancient, lethal "fist-load weapons" like the Roman cestus. The use of hand protection in fighting dates back to 2000 BC, evolving from simple leather strips in Ancient Greece to the metal-enhanced cestus, which contributed to boxing's ban in AD 393.
Boxing saw a revival in 17th-century Britain, initially bare-knuckle, until Jack Broughton's 18th-century rules introduced gloves for practice. However, it was the Marquess of Queensberry Rules in 1867 that officially mandated gloves for all bouts, leading to the development of modern, engineered designs from the late 1890s.
Today's gloves feature diverse padding (foam or horsehair), lace-up or velcro fastenings, and are worn over hand wraps for added stability. While gloves reduce external cuts, a British Medical Association report suggests they might actually increase brain injuries by allowing fighters to deliver harder, head-accelerating punches.