A punch against a hard surface -- like a skull -- not only conducts point impacts to fragile bone, but shear loads the proximal-interphalangeal joints, making i

A punch against a hard surface -- like a skull -- not only conducts point impacts to fragile bone, but shear loads the proximal-interphalangeal joints, making it a good way to break bone and dislocate joints. The padding of a boxing glove protects the hands, not the skull; the same amount of force is being transferred to the skull, so the brain undergoes the exact same impact as it would without the gloves. By making it safer for a boxer to strike the skull of an opponent, gloves are pretty much tailor-made for encouraging concussive injury.