Wrist Support & Mobility

Most boxers like their wrists secured in a straight position for more support and punching power (also reducing chance of hand/wrist injury). But some fighters like a little wrist freedom because of how it feels, to bend their wrist (slightly) for hooks, or for clinching (MMA/Muay Thai). Beware of gloves that force your wrist into an angled position! (Some angle your wrist slightly forwards or backwards upon impact).

Boxing gloves hold the wrist straight (maximum support).
MMA/Muay Thai gloves allow more wrist mobility (for clinching).

Aside from the glove's intended use (boxing vs MMA/Muay Thai), much of the wrist support and mobility is affected by how it's built and the closure strap. A well-built LONG-shape glove using laces, is better than a poorly constructed SHORT-shape glove using velcro. A tightly-secured wrist area is more beneficial than just having more wrist padding. Velcro straps can decrease wrist support when they're too long, too thin, too flimsy, or too far away from the wrist. Fighters with small wrists will get much better support with lace-up gloves than velcro gloves. The last thing you want is your wrist wriggling around in open space when you punch.

Many fighters (usually pros) will even put tape around their wrist directly on the skin itself as well as around the glove (after they tie up) for extra wrist support. You can do this if you want even more support (power) than what the glove and hand-wraps provide.