Canada
USA
UK
Australia
By Boxing People,
For the Boxing World
Here's How it All Started
By Boxing People,
Who We Are
#RivalFamily
Leading the Way
A Canadian-owned global leader in the market, Rival Boxing Gear offers innovative, stylish equipment specifically designed by boxing people, for the boxing world. Our line of products has been developed based on extensive research and an in-depth knowledge of the industry, using only the highest quality materials available.
"At Rival, the belief is that while other companies are businessmen trying to infiltrate the boxing world, Rival is proud to be boxing people trying to infiltrate the business world."
The Beginning
Founded in 2003 by veteran boxing trainer/cutman, Russ Anber, Rival entered the marketplace with a promise to “reinvent the industry” by implementing innovations and ideas that Russ had acquired over 25 years in the boxing game, including 13 years of experience in introducing and selling foreign boxing brands to the Canadian market. When Rival’s first order was placed at a cost of $2,000, Russ vowed that every order made thereafter would be bigger than the last, and so it has come to pass!
From the beginning, Rival has been a brand aimed at the high-end sphere of the professional boxing market. There are countless cheap brands out there, but Rival’s aim is to make gloves and equipment of the best quality possible that all the top amateurs, pros and gyms can use with full confidence.
The Evolution
Rival's recipe for success is characterized by the outstanding quality and durability of its products, and has been achieved without copying, stealing or infringing anyone's intellectual property (IP). Each top-of-the-line product Rival has produced since its launch in 2003 has been based on original ideas and unique, innovative designs.
From that initial modest order of $2,000, Rival has grown into a globally renowned brand with stores, offices and employees in four countries – Canada, the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom – as well as being a partner in seven amateur gyms, including 4 in Canada, 2 in the US and 1 in Spain.
Rival Around the World
After developing Rival’s reputation throughout the Canadian market, and working outwards from Montreal and Quebec, Rival expanded to the United States and opened an office in Las Vegas in September 2014. That was followed subsequently by opening another location in the UK in July 2017. The Australia opening then followed in July 2019. Every Rival office prides itself on being staffed by real boxing people, as well as people with whom Rival have a longstanding relationship. All of these people believe in Rival, and in turn, Rival believes in them.
Business Positioning
At Rival, the belief is that while other companies are businessmen trying to infiltrate the boxing world, Rival is proud to be boxing people trying to infiltrate the business world.
Everybody that works for Rival is, in one way or another, connected to boxing. As a result, Rival’s product ranges are created from a boxing perspective and the company takes real pride in its designs, technologies and innovations.
Rival in the Ring
Part 1
The list of fighters who have used Rival’s wide range of gloves, equipment and attire is stellar. Among those who have followed in the footsteps of former WBC World Light-Heavyweight Champion Jean Pascal – the first boxer to wear Rival gloves in a World Championship fight on HBO – have been countless other current and former world champions including (among others), Anthony Joshua, Vasiliy Lomachenko, Oleksandr Usyk, Keith Thurman, Artur Beterbiev, Eleider Alvarez, Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano, Oscar Rivas and so many more.
All of these champions have put their faith in Rival’s famed RFX-Guerrero Pro Fight glove, widely recognized as one of, if not, the best fitting pro glove on the market today, and the crown jewel in the company’s product line.
Part 2
Rival’s custom made boxing apparel has also captured the eyes and imagination of the boxing world. What started off as an occasional production of clothing, has today grown into a full-time effort due to worldwide demand.
Among the proudest landmarks in Rival Boxing history was the Tony Bellew versus Isaac Chilemba WBC eliminator in March 2013, which represented the first occasion on which two professional boxers faced each other wearing complete Rival attire and sporting Rival pro fight gloves on foreign soil.
Another memorable night in Rival’s history was the July 2018 World Boxing Super Series final which saw Oleksandr Usyk and Murat Gassiev both wearing Rival gloves as they fought for the undisputed cruiserweight championship of the world and the first ever coveted Ali Trophy.
Original Rival
Over the years, Rival’s reputation as a cutting edge, technologically-driven, design-orientated company has shaken up the boxing equipment world with many companies redesigning their line, their look and borrowing our innovations in an effort to emulate what Rival has achieved. It is a testament to the strength of the Rival family that many of the staff who began with the company back in 2003, are still in place today. Every single member of the Rival team is bound by the commitment to excellence and innovation that have always characterized everything that Rival does. We are boxing people!