When watching boxing in between rounds, you’ve probably seen the cutman applying some kind of jelly. So why do boxers use Vaseline on their face?
In combat sports, cutmen are essential to a boxer’s success, applying first aid in the thirty seconds in between each round.
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This article will discuss why boxers put Vaseline on their face.
Why Do Boxers Put Vaseline On Their Face?
Boxers put Vaseline or petroleum jelly on their face to:
- Reduce impact of direct punches
- Prevent sweat from entering the eyes
- Prevent cuts
- Stop bleeding
Vaseline is a jelly-like substance with a thick consistency that can act as an extra layer of protection.
Applying it is the role of the cutman. They are responsible for reducing swelling and treating cuts in the small amount of time between rounds so that a boxer can continue fighting.
However, there is limit to how much Vaseline you can put. If there’s too much Vaseline, the referee will stop the fight and ask the boxer’s corner to remove some of it as this can give a fighter an unfair advantage.
Putting too much Vaseline can have negative effects. If the cutman applies too much, it can slide from the affected area and end up in a boxer’s eyes.
It’s important to note that Vaseline is not foolproof; there are many examples of boxers using Vaseline and still ending up with gashes from their opponent’s gloves.
Reduce Impact of Direct Punches
First, fighters apply vaseline to reduce the impact of direct punches.
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Over the course of a fight, a boxer’s face will take direct hits from jabs, crosses, and hooks.
Putting Vaseline makes a fighter’s skin slippery and reduces the impact of a direct hit, providing extra protection against an opponent’s tough leather glove.
In addition to this, some boxers will tilt their head when they take a hook to the cheek. Doing this with Vaseline on the face will make the hook slip off and minimize the impact of a knockout punch.
Prevent Sweat From Entering the Eyes
Next, fighters apply Vaseline to prevent sweat from entering the eyes.
During a professional fight, fighters don’t use headgear that can absorb sweat. All that perspiration drips down a boxer’s face and can make it hard for a fighter to see.
Since oil and water don’t mix, a cutman will apply Vaseline to the fighter’s eyebrows to redirect the sweat away from a boxer’s eyes and reduce the chances of sweat from entering the eyes.
Prevent Cuts
Next, boxers use Vaseline to prevent cuts and further damage.
Even though a boxing glove seems smooth and soft, it can act like rough sandpaper when in motion. During a punch, the glove will grip your skin and tear it.
The most likely area for this to happen is the thin skin around the eyes, where there is no protective barrier like a cheekbone or jawbone.
Against repeated hits from leather gloves, there is little to no chance that this area will hold up multiple rounds without breaking.
Applying petroleum jelly will lower the chances of this happening. This reduces friction and provides protection from severe cuts around the eye. A solid hit has more chance of slipping off the skin, rather than dragging it and causing facial injuries.
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Of course, this method isn’t foolproof. Boxers are still prone to cuts here, especially if they’ve had recent cuts in this facial area.
Stop Bleeding
Lastly, boxers use Vaseline to stop bleeding.
Excessive bleeding can impair vision or bleeding. If the cutman is unable to control the blood flow, the referee may call the doctor to inspect the fighter’s face and stop the fight.
When mixed with a low concentration of adrenaline chloride, applying Vaseline to damaged tissue will speed up the healing process, encourage a clot to form, and stop bleeding.
When a fighter has an open cut, you’ll see the cutman applying pressure on open wounds with a cotton swab to stop blood flow.
Conclusion
Now that you know why boxers use Vaseline on their face, you’ll have a better appreciation of the cutman’s role.
Cutmen are essential to a boxer’s success by applying advanced first aid in less than a minute and making sure his boxer is good to go for the next round.
The same ideas apply in other combat sports, such as with MMA and muay thai fighters.
Boxing is a long-term endeavor and a fighter’s health should be a top priority. You shouldn’t go into the boxing ring and step out with open wounds after every fight.
It’s also important to note that your opponent can use open wounds to his advantage. If your opponent sees that you have an open wound over your eye, he’ll continue to target it since it’ll reduce your vision and get the referee to stop the fight.
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Category: WHY
