why does balrog wear gloves?

[pragmatic insanester]

i just thought of this. why do balrog and later dudley wear boxing gloves in a fighting tournament? gloves are worn to limit the damage to the boxers and prolong the match so the spectators don't get ripped off. to make matters stranger, other combatants in the series have stuff like steel claws on their hands or the ability to shoot fireballs and electricity. has anyone else ever considered this to be a little unfair against the gloved boxers?

[gepeto]

At the time. I believe his character was influenced by mike tyson down to the gapped tooth.

[Rev. Link]

i just thought of this. why do balrog and later dudley wear boxing gloves in a fighting tournament? gloves are worn to limit the damage to the boxers and prolong the match so the spectators don't get ripped off. to make matters stranger, other combatants in the series have stuff like steel claws on their hands or the ability to shoot fireballs and electricity. has anyone else ever considered this to be a little unfair against the gloved boxers?

You know, I never really thought of that. It is kind of unfair, isn't it?

[Octane06]

Yep, that's correct. Balrog is given M. Bison's name in the Japanese versions of SF2, which is an obvious take on Mike Tyson. The name changes between US and Japan releases are (US to Japan):

Balrog=M. Bison
Vega=Balrog
M. Bison=Vega

[Octane06]

Just to note, I was obviously referring to the second post... I'm always too late in typing.

[pragmatic insanester]

Balrog or whatever you wanna call him is probably the most realistic character in the series. i'm not a huge player of the SF franchise, but he doesn't have any real outlandish moves like gravity defying spinning kicks (i know he doesn't kick) or 773587 punch a second moves, does he?

[Kitsune Sniper]

Because gloves are meant for their protection, too. Why do you think Ryu and Ken wear partial gloves on their hands?

[drewbrim]

Because gloves are meant for their protection, too. Why do you think Ryu and Ken wear partial gloves on their hands?

I was going to mention this as well. A boxer wears gloves to protect his hands more than to protect the other guy's face.

[LAGO]

Those boxing gloves were supposedto be loaded wiht metal as well.

[cyberfluxor]

Those boxing gloves were supposedto be loaded wiht metal as well.

Sounds enjoyable!

[Neo Rasa]

Yeah the storyline is that he was boxing with "enhanced punching power" so he lost his right, then became an enforcer for M. Bison/Vega's syndicate.

[Ed Oscuro]

Because gloves are meant for their protection, too. Why do you think Ryu and Ken wear partial gloves on their hands?

I was going to mention this as well. A boxer wears gloves to protect his hands more than to protect the other guy's face.

Thirded...gloves don't do much to protect your opponent when every punch is the equivalent of dropping a 250 pound weight on them Gloves and tape are meant to prevent them from breaking their hands. If your livelihood depends on being able to punch things, don't you think you'd protect your hands as well? Ditto for kickboxers and taped feet.

[Ed Oscuro]

Nevermind, missed the part about how he was using loaded gloves.

[qbertandernie]

here i expected some corny answer like "to keep his hands warm!"

*sigh*

[Kitsune Sniper]

Where, exactly, was it said he used "loaded gloves"? I've played Street Fighter II since I was twelve years old, and read many different storylines - and NONE mentioned this. They all said he was just a very brutal boxer.

Explain, please.

[50TBRD]

The gloves are supposed to associate him with the boxing industry. If he didn't wear them he would look like just a big guy. It gives him a background and lets you identify him.

[Massimiliano]

The glove also increases the contact surface, making repeated punches more efficient (when one knocking punch is more efficient with no glove)

[LAGO]

Where, exactly, was it said he used "loaded gloves"? I've played Street Fighter II since I was twelve years old, and read many different storylines - and NONE mentioned this. They all said he was just a very brutal boxer.

Explain, please.

I thought I read it in the original instruction booklet or possibly the Nintendo Power that covered it at the time.

[zone]

From what I can tell Balrog has no wekanesses with gloves, he's still just too beastly. Check him out in action -

he makes an appearance at 4:10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnG-OBPYa2I

[jajaja]

Because hes a sissy! Seriously tho, i think its because if he didnt have the gloves he would just be a normal fighter. With the gloves you know hes a boxer.