The phrase “hitting below the belt” originates with the boxing rule that you’re just not allowed to do it. In boxing, the rules for a fair fight should prevent injury to the groin area. However, accidents happen, and a fighter only gets five minutes of recovery time to bounce back after a groin hit.
So, do boxers wear protective cups when fighting? Boxers should wear groin guards to protect them against either accidental or illegal intentional hits below the belt. Cup protection reduces the impact of a blow to prevent damage to the groin area. However, a cup does not keep a fighter from feeling the pain of a direct hit.
Among the boxing community, there is a discussion about whether or not it’s worth it to wear a cup because it merely dulls the pain of a hit. What you should know, though, is that the impact of a direct hit to the groin, whether the boxer is male or female, could result in severe damage, so wearing a cup has serious benefits.
Boxers Not Wearing a Cup Are at Risk
Blows below the belt are more common in sports where kicking is allowed, but sometimes that happens in boxing, too. It is not legal for a fighter to intentionally hit an opponent below the belt, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. To prevent injury, most clubs will require all boxers, male and female, to wear a groin protector.
The risks of not wearing a cup for men are a little more obvious. A direct hit to the testicles can result in torsion or rupture.
- Torsion occurs when the connective cording becomes twisted, cutting off the blood flow to the testicles. Without medical attention, the testicle may lose function or even need to be removed.
- Testicular rupture is rare but happens when the testicle takes a direct hit or is forced too hard against the pelvic bone, causing blood to pool in the scrotum. It requires immediate medical attention and surgery to fix.
Males are not exclusively at risk from not wearing a groin protector, though. The female groin can be damaged by a direct blow, as well. Female genitalia, while anatomically is more tucked up, is sensitive and has a lot of nerve endings. This means a direct blow will result in mind-numbing pain, potential tearing, and risk of surgery and hospitalization.
Benefits of Wearing a Cup in Boxing
Something you may not have considered is the line of demarcation on your body created by both the top ridge of the groin guard and the high waistband of your shorts. Most boxers fight shirtless or in a breast-protecting sports bra to leave the waist of their shorts visible. This visible waistline has a purpose, and the groin protector reinforces it.
- The waistline of the shorts creates a definitive boundary on the body, below which no hits are allowed.
- The main benefit of wearing a groin protector is that the high waist bolsters the waistband of your shorts. You want to keep that body boundary nice and high above your hips, without fear of it slipping down, to deter unnecessarily low punches.
- This bolstered waistband also creates a smaller target for your opponent. For example, if you bout wearing a baggy t-shirt, the hem of that shirt creates the illusion of a lower waistline. In the heat of a fight, your opponent’s brain will not register where your natural waist is, but rather, will accept the visual input solely of where the visual of your shorts start.
So, not only do you want to either go shirtless or tuck your shirt into the waistband, you’ll want something that protects you from the waistband of your shorts all the way to your genitals.
Downsides of Protective Cups
One obvious downside of the groin protector is that it doesn’t prevent a boxer from feeling any pain at all. All it can do is spread the force of the impact out to the sides of more delicate areas. The male genital region will still feel enough impact to potentially bring about nausea. Additionally, the hard edges may dig into your hip creases, which is also quite painful.
It’s for this reason fighters receive a five-minute recovery period for below the belt hits. If it takes longer than this to come back to your senses, you are considered “knocked out.” That doesn’t mean that you should learn how to work through that pain, though. Please be mindful of the risk of not seeking medical attention to your injury.
But returning to the negatives of wearing a cup, aside from only reducing pain, the other issue most people face when wearing a cup is a poor fit. It is your responsibility to find a cup that properly fits, both for your comfort and protection.
Obviously, a too-small cup could result in potentially taking a direct hit and incurring serious damage. Too-large of a cup is not good either, as you’ll take the impact of the hit around the edges of the cup much harder. This can lead to severe bruising, tissue damage, or even blunt edge cuts.
Female boxers need a guard specifically made for the female anatomy. A male groin protector usually won’t fit correctly. The function of a female guard should not impede your range of motion, so a male cup may be so large that it reduces the range of motion in your hips.
In general, though, the negative aspects of wearing a cup far outweigh the risks of not wearing one at all.
Top 3 Best Cups and Groin Protectors for Male Boxers
There are a lot of options on the market for male boxers, but these three are our favorites. No matter which cup you go for, make sure that the fit is correct and that you feel comfortable in it. Test it progressively, so no hard hits when you first put it on. Check to make sure that even light blows won’t cause you damage. Then, work up to sparring-level potential impacts.
| Product | Why We Like It | Check the Price |
| #1 Lo-Bloo Thai Cup 2.0 | • Nothing between the buttocks • Stays in place • Great cushioning around edges • Made of steel | Check it out on Amazon.com |
| #2 Title Gel Elite Groin & Ab Protector | • Lightweight • Easily adjustable • Nice material • Gel insert absorbs a lot of the shock | Check it out on Amazon.com |
| #3 Pro Impact Boxing Groin & Abdominal Protector | • Padded throughout • High hip for a great range of motion • Deeper curve on the cup for more coverage | Check it out on Amazon.com |
Top 3 Best Cups and Groin Protectors Made for Female Boxers
Below, we’re focusing on our three favorite guards that were designed specifically for women. You may find that you prefer the coverage and protection of something like the Lo-Bloo Thai Cup 2.0 for men. However, you might also want to try one of these for more female catered protection.
| Product | Why We Like It | Check the Price |
| #1 Lo-Bloo Aero Slim Female | • Low profile with no bulge • Great protection • Stays in place • Lightweight | Check it out on Amazon.com |
| #2 Jili Online Women Crotch Guard Groin Protector | • Comfortable elastic waistband • High-density foam cushioning against impact • Variety of sizes | Check it out on Amazon.com |
| #3 TITLE Boxing Female No-Foul Protector 2.0 | • Comes with ab protection • Extra-long “banana-style” coverage • Feels supportive but doesn’t impede range of motion | Check it out on Amazon.com |
Wrapping It Up
While most boxing classes, clubs, and competitions will require you to wear a cup, they may not explicitly state this. Whether you are male or female, please invest in a good quality cup that fits you properly and allows you a good range of motion. Not wearing a cup can result in serious injury, even in a sport that doesn’t allow below the belt hits. Box safely.
