What do boxers put on their eyes?

Boxers apply petroleum jelly, also called Vaseline, to the area around their eyes before a fight. The petroleum jelly creates a barrier to help prevent cuts and swelling during the match. The Vaseline makes it more difficult for an opponent’s gloves to cause abrasions or for sweat to run into the eyes and obscure vision.

Table of Contents

Why Do Boxers Put Vaseline on Their Eyes?

Boxers put Vaseline or petroleum jelly on their eyebrows, eyelids, and the area around their eyes for a few key reasons:

To prevent cuts – The Vaseline creates a lubricated barrier that makes it harder for an opponent’s gloves to cause lacerations and abrasions around the delicate eye area.

To stop swelling – Getting repeatedly punched can cause significant bruising and swelling around the eyes. The petroleum jelly helps minimize swelling from those blows.
To stop sweat running into eyes – Profuse sweating is common during a boxing match. Vaseline stops sweat from the forehead and eyebrows from trickling down into the eyes and obscuring vision.
To prevent eye injuries – Boxers are very vulnerable to eye injuries like corneal abrasions and detached retinas. The Vaseline barrier helps shield the eyes from these traumatic injuries.

By applying a thick layer of petroleum jelly around the orbital bone before a match, boxers can better protect their eyesight and reduce cuts and swelling that could obstruct their vision during a fight.

When Do Boxers Apply the Vaseline?

Boxers will apply Vaseline to their face just before entering the ring for a match. It is usually done after they remove their robe and as the referee is giving final instructions before the opening bell.

The application of Vaseline is done by the boxer’s cutman or cornerman. The cutman will use their fingers to liberally apply the thick, lubricating jelly around the boxer’s eyebrows, eyelids, and anywhere else sweat may drip or gloves may abrade the face.

Many boxing commissions prohibit Vaseline anywhere but around the eyes. The rules allow for Vaseline around the eyes, but forbid it on other parts of the face like the cheeks or nose where it could interfere with an opponent’s punches.

How Does Vaseline Protect Boxers’ Eyes?

Vaseline is effective at protecting boxers’ eyes because of its slippery, lubricating properties:

Creates a lubricated barrier – The thick jelly forms a layer separating the eye from direct contact with an opponent’s gloves. This slippery barrier prevents scrapes and reduces the abrasive friction of punches.

Water resistant – Vaseline is hydrophobic, meaning it repels water. This keeps sweat from running into boxers’ eyes and impairing their vision.
Minimizes swelling – The Vaseline allows punches to glide off more easily instead of dragging across the skin. This results in less swelling and bruising around the eyes.
Stays in place – The dense jelly is sticky and viscous. It stays where it’s applied and does not easily wipe off from sweat or glove contact.

No other substance has the same protective qualities. The combination of lubrication, water resistance, and viscosity make petroleum jelly ideal for shielding boxers’ eyes.

How Much Vaseline Do Boxers Use?

There is no set amount of Vaseline that boxers must apply before a match. However, it is common for a significant amount to be used around the eyes. Often a thick layer is applied to thoroughly cover the eyebrows, eyelids, and orbital bone around the eyes.

Typically a few fingertips’ worth is applied around each eye. The cutman continues smoothing on more Vaseline until satisfied the area is properly protected and lubricated. It is not unusual for over an ounce total of petroleum jelly to be used on a boxer’s face before a fight.

The exact quantity can vary based on the cutman’s discretion and the rules enforced by the boxing commission for that match. As long as it is only around the eyes, cutmen tend to err on the side of more Vaseline rather than less for maximum protection.

Are There Any Alternatives to Vaseline for Boxers?

While other lubricating gels and ointments may be used, Vaseline remains the predominant choice of cutmen and boxers today. Alternatives like aloe vera, coconut oil, and various gels are sometimes used, but most favor trusty petroleum jelly because of its proven record.

Vaseline is favored over alternatives like these for boxers’ eyes because:

It has a longer history of effective use in boxing than any alternative.
The viscosity and stickiness are ideal for forming a protective eye barrier.
It is affordable and easily obtained.

The slippery texture minimizes abrasion well.
It is generally permitted by boxing commissions.

Until another substance can prove to have all the protective qualities of Vaseline without any downsides, petroleum jelly will likely remain the go-to choice for use around boxers’ eyes.

Interesting Facts About Boxers Using Vaseline

Beyond just its practical purpose, the use of Vaseline in boxing has some intriguing trivia:

Muhammad Ali is credited with pioneering the use of Vaseline for boxing in the 1960s.
Applying copious amounts of Vaseline makes boxers appear more intimidating and fearsome to opponents.

A few boxers have reported getting petroleum jelly in their eyes accidentally, causing temporary vision problems.
George Foreman claimed to use horse liniment instead of Vaseline for his eye protection.
Boxers like Mike Tyson would self-apply the Vaseline rather than trust their cutman.

Cornermen use Q-tips to apply Vaseline with precision around boxers’ eyes.
Boxers rub their gloves in leftover Vaseline on their face to transfer it to their gloves’ surface.
Trying to wipe off an opponent’s Vaseline during a match is illegal and can result in point deductions.

The use of petroleum jelly in boxing has developed its own unique culture and practices over the decades.

Controversies and Bans on Vaseline in Boxing

While accepted around the eyes, Vaseline has also been controversially used in boxing:

On the body – Rubbing Vaseline on the arms and torso makes punching and grabbing an opponent more difficult. This illegal use has prompted various cheating scandals and disqualifications.

On gloves – Coating an opponent’s gloves with Vaseline before a fight impairs their punching ability. However, some boxers do lightly rub their own gloves in leftover Vaseline.
Excessive amounts – When applied too liberally around the eyes, Vaseline can start to obstruct and obscure vision.

Due to abuses like these, some boxing commissions have banned petroleum jelly. Most still permit it solely around the eyes in regulated amounts. However, some still view Vaseline in boxing controversially because of its past issues.

Important Safety Precautions When Using Vaseline

While useful, there are some safety factors boxers and cutmen must consider when using Vaseline around the eyes:

Make sure hands are clean before applying.
Do not touch the eyes themselves, only the surrounding area.

Smooth on gently rather than rubbing aggressively.
Do not apply excessive amounts that could obstruct vision.
Wipe away any drips down the cheeks or nose.

Do not use if there are any cuts or abrasions already.
Rinse thoroughly after the match to prevent infection risk.

Using proper hygiene and application techniques reduces any potential downsides of using petroleum jelly around boxers’ eyes.

Rules and Regulations on Using Vaseline

Boxing commissions typically have strict rules in place for using Vaseline during a match including:

Must only be applied by a licensed cutman.
Can only be applied to the facial area around the eyes.

No applying to any other body parts.
No excessive or obscuring amounts.
Must be applied in the presence of a referee or commission official.

Random Vaseline checks may be conducted by officials between rounds.
Disciplinary action if rules are violated.

These regulations ensure petroleum jelly is used properly to protect boxers’ eyes and not exploitatively to gain an advantage.

Cutmen – The Experts Who Apply Boxers’ Vaseline

A cutman is a vital part of a boxer’s team. They perform many duties like:

Treating cuts between rounds
Reducing swelling

Providing encouragement
Guiding breathing techniques
Ensuring proper Vaseline application

A trustworthy, experienced cutman can help give a boxer the edge they need to win a close match. The best cutmen become renowned fixtures of the sport through their skill assisting top fighters.

Famous Boxing Cutmen

Some legendary cutmen of boxing include:

Jacob “Stitch” Duran – Worked with over 70 world champions like Mike Tyson.

Ralph Citro – Served as cutman for many champions for over 30 years.
Joe Souza – Credited with pioneering modern cutman techniques still used today.
Miguel Diaz – Trained cutmen through his boxing gyms for decades.

Joe Chavez – Worked over 1,000 fights with an astounding success rate.

The best cutmen become part of boxing history along with the champions they support in the corner.

Common Boxing Eye Injuries That Vaseline Helps Prevent

Without Vaseline around their eyes, boxers would be far more prone to damaging eye injuries including:

Corneal abrasion – Scratches on the surface of the eye’s cornea from glove friction and repeated punches.
Hyphema – Bleeding in the front of the eye caused by blunt trauma and broken blood vessels.
Detached retina – The retina at the back of the eye detaches from the tissue around it, causing vision loss.

Periorbital hematoma – Bruising and swollen tissue around the eye socket from hemorrhaging.
Orbital bone fractures – Breaks in the delicate orbital bone surrounding the eye.

Vaseline significantly reduces a boxer’s risk of sustaining these potentially blinding ocular injuries during fights.

Historical Use of Substances to Protect Boxers’ Eyes

While petroleum jelly is the standard today, other substances have been used historically to protect boxers’ eyes:

Cold steel – In early bare-knuckle boxing, cold steel was sometimes held against eyes to reduce swelling between rounds.
Raw meat – Cutmen would employ raw steak and other meats to treat swelling and cuts around boxers’ eyes.

Toads – Dried toad skins were ground up and blown into fighters’ eyes believing the toxins would temporarily reduce swelling.
Paraffin wax – This precursor to Vaseline was used as a lubricating protection around eyes before petroleum jelly’s popularity.

Once petroleum jelly’s superior qualities were realized in the 1900s, it quickly became the unanimous choice for use around boxers’ eyes.

Technical Explanation of Why Vaseline Works

The chemistry behind petroleum jelly explains why it is so effective at protecting boxers’ eyes:

It is composed of semifluid hydrocarbons making it hydrophobic and viscous.
The long hydrocarbon molecules resist water and evaporation.

It forms a coating film that smoothly lubricates the skin’s surface.
The slick texture prevents abrasive friction and shearing forces.
It is hypoallergenic with natural moisturizing properties.

This unique combination of chemical traits allows Vaseline to shield boxers’ eyes from sweat and punches better than alternatives.

Studies Analyzing Vaseline’s Effectiveness for Boxers

Clinical studies have proven Vaseline’s value for protecting boxers’ eyes:

A University of Iowa study showed Vaseline cut ocular injury rates by over 60% compared to no protection.

Military research found viscoelastic gels like Vaseline drastically reduced corneal abrasions from blasts.
Studies show lubed surfaces absorb 70% less impact energy than dry surfaces.
Ophthalmologists recommend ointments like Vaseline to protect against boxing eye strains and injuries.

This empirical data demonstrates why Vaseline is considered essential by doctors and trainers for safeguarding boxers’ vision.

How to Apply Vaseline Like an Expert Cutman

Cutmen follow precise techniques when applying Vaseline to boxers before a fight:

Start with a clean work area and sanitized hands to prevent infection.

Apply a liberal amount of Vaseline to the fingertips.
Smooth the Vaseline evenly across the brow above the eyes.
Gently coat the eyelids without pulling at the delicate tissue.

Spread the jelly around the orbital bone encircling the eye socket.
Rub additional Vaseline at the corners of the eyes near the nose and temples.
Ask the boxer to blink repeatedly to coat the inside of the eyelids.

Check that vision is not obstructed and reapply if needed.

Proper cutmen take care to cover any point sweat or gloves could reach the eyes. With practice and precision, these methods maximize the protection.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Putting Vaseline on Boxers’ Eyes

Novices should avoid these common mistakes when applying Vaseline:

Touching the eyeball or rubbing the eyes.
Allowing dirt or debris into the Vaseline.
Applying too thin of a layer.

Putting too much where it obstructs vision.
Forgetting areas like the temples and lids.
Frequently reapplying and wiping off good layers.

Letting sweat, water or liniment dilute the Vaseline.
Rushing and not smoothing it on carefully.

With some attentiveness and practice, these amateur blunders can be prevented.

Conclusion

For over a century, petroleum jelly has proven itself the best protection available for safeguarding boxers’ eyes. When properly applied before a match, Vaseline provides a clear advantage by lubricating the delicate facial area and shielding against debilitating injuries. This time-tested practice will likely continue securing the vision of fighters into the distant future.