The Boxing Queensland International Open Golden Gloves is on at Nissan Arena (590 Mains Rd, Nathan) from 17–22 August 2026 — six days of competition featuring 500+ of Australia's best amateur boxers, plus international teams including Japan. If you're competing, or you've got a fighter heading to Brisbane, this is the gear checklist you need before weigh-in.
The Golden Gloves Gear Checklist
| Item | What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Competition gloves | IBA-approved, 10oz, laced or velcro | Mandatory for bouts |
| Head guard | Competition-approved, open face | Protection without blocking vision |
| Boxing boots | Ankle support, solid grip | Footwork and turning on the canvas |
| Hand wraps | 4.5m elasticised | Protects knuckles and wrists |
| Singlet + shorts | IBA-approved, comp-legal colours | Rules compliance at check |
| Mouthguard | Custom fit or boil-and-bite | Mandatory, and the one thing you can't borrow |
| Groin guard | Competition spec | Mandatory for male competitors |
| Fight tape + bag | Quality tape, roomy holdall | Stays organised across six days |
1. Competition Gloves
Your bout gloves need to be IBA-approved — the tournament checks. For Golden Gloves, the Sting Competition Approved Boxing Gloves 2.0 are purpose-built for this: approved for competition, available in blue or red, and already in stock at our Brisbane store.
2. Head Guard
Open-face competition head guards protect you without limiting your vision of the fight. The Sting Competition Approved Open Face Head Guard 2.0 is the one we see most at state and national level — full coverage, competition approved, and comfortable for all six days of the tournament.
3. Boxing Boots
Boots are the difference between quick footwork and slipping on the canvas. The Nike HyperKO 3 gives you the ankle support and grip you need for turning and pivoting — the same boot many pros train in. If you prefer the white/gold look, that colourway is in stock too.
4. Hand Wraps
Never skip wraps. They protect the small bones in your hand and give your wrist support under the glove. Sting Elasticised Hand Wraps 2.0 give the stretch and hold you want for competition — grab a spare pair, because wraps get sweaty across a multi-day event.
5. Singlet + Shorts
Competition rules cover what you wear in the ring. The Sting Mettle Shorts 2.0 and Sting Mettle Singlet 2.0 are IBA-approved and built for amateur competition — available in black, blue and red, in adult and junior sizing.
6. The Little Stuff
Mouthguard, groin guard, fight tape — the small items that stop you from being turned away at the medical check. Bring a Sting Cruiser Holdall Bag 2.0 to keep everything together across the week.
What Most Beginners Get Wrong
Buying training gear for competition. A 12–16oz sparring glove won't pass the comp check — you need IBA-approved 10oz bout gloves. And don't leave hand wraps to the last minute: 4.5m wraps take practice to put on right, so wrap at home before you travel, not in the change room an hour before you fight.
Shop This Guide
Ready to gear up? Here's everything from this guide, all in stock at our Brisbane store (U3/544 Kessels Rd, Macgregor — about five minutes from Nissan Arena):
- Sting Competition Approved Boxing Gloves 2.0
- Sting Competition Approved Open Face Head Guard 2.0
- Nike HyperKO 3 Boxing Boots
- Sting Elasticised Hand Wraps 2.0
- Sting Mettle Shorts 2.0
- Sting Mettle Singlet 2.0
- Sting Cruiser Holdall Bag 2.0
Shop the full Sting range → · Boxing gloves · Boxing shoes · Brisbane store
Related Reading
• Essential Boxing Equipment for Beginners — What You Actually Need
• Boxing Glove Size Guide: How to Choose the Right Weight
• How to Choose Boxing Headgear