Boxing 1918 - 1919 during Spanish Flu

[GhostofDempsey]

From Jan 1918 to Dec 1920, the world was rocked by the Spanish Flu pandemic, it infected 500 million people—about a quarter of the world's population at the time. The death toll is estimated to have been anywhere from 17 million to 50 million, and possibly as high as 100 million, making it one of the deadliest epidemics in human history.

During that time:

Harry Greb fought 91 times

San Langford fought 49 times

Benny Leonard fought 48 times

Gene Tunney Fought 26 times

Jack Dempsey fought 24 times

I'm not saying this makes a case for quarantine or not quarantine, it just gives a glimpse into how we viewed pandemics a century ago, and provides a contrast to where we are today.

[MulaKO]

From Jan 1918 to Dec 1920, the world was rocked by the Spanish Flu pandemic, it infected 500 million people—about a quarter of the world's population at the time. The death toll is estimated to have been anywhere from 17 million to 50 million, and possibly as high as 100 million, making it one of the deadliest epidemics in human history.

During that time:

Harry Greb fought 91 times

San Langford fought 49 times

Benny Leonard fought 48 times

Gene Tunney Fought 26 times

Jack Dempsey fought 24 times

I'm not saying this makes a case for quarantine or not quarantine, it just gives a glimpse into how we viewed pandemics a century ago, and provides a contrast to where we are today.

That’s what got my grandfather
Different times

[CubanGuyNYC]

From Jan 1918 to Dec 1920, the world was rocked by the Spanish Flu pandemic, it infected 500 million people—about a quarter of the world's population at the time. The death toll is estimated to have been anywhere from 17 million to 50 million, and possibly as high as 100 million, making it one of the deadliest epidemics in human history.

During that time:

Harry Greb fought 91 times

San Langford fought 49 times

Benny Leonard fought 48 times

Gene Tunney Fought 26 times

Jack Dempsey fought 24 times

I'm not saying this makes a case for quarantine or not quarantine, it just gives a glimpse into how we viewed pandemics a century ago, and provides a contrast to where we are today.

Indeed, that many people probably died because they went about business as usual, without shutting down the way we have during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those fighters dodged a bullet, but many of those that attended their fights probably didn’t.

[4truth]

The only reason they call it the Spanish Flu is that the Spanish press was the only country's press allowed to report on it without censorship (Spain was neutral).

Reporting on the flu and taking precautions against it was considered unpatriotic, a major reason why the Spanish Flu was so devastating was that people, for the most part,went on with business as usual. Woodrow Wilson and the rest of the leaders at the time cared very little about the citizens beyond what they meant to the war effort.

[KillaMane26]

Indeed, that many people probably died because they went about business as usual, without shutting down the way we have during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those fighters dodged a bullet, but many of those that attended their fights probably didn’t.

Great point.....

[GhostofDempsey]

The only reason they call it the Spanish Flu is that the Spanish press was the only country's press allowed to report on it without censorship (Spain was neutral).

Reporting on the flu and taking precautions against it was considered unpatriotic, a major reason why the Spanish Flu was so devastating was that people, for the most part,went on with business as usual. Woodrow Wilson and the rest of the leaders at the time cared very little about the citizens beyond what they meant to the war effort.

Yes, the Spanish Flu was said to have originated in Kansas.

[4truth]

Yes, the Spanish Flu was said to have originated in Kansas.

or France, depending on the researcher.

[MUNG]

centuries later and the best advice is still...... keep away from the sick!!

[GhostofDempsey]

How the sporting world reacted to the Spanish Flu

...in the USA, there was serious concern about big gatherings for the popular sporting events of the day.

College football games were cancelled in several of the major cities, while in Major League Baseball a slew of high-profile players died after contracting the Spanish Flu.

Babe Ruth reportedly caught the disease but recovered.

In ice hockey, the 1919 Stanley Cup, for the first and only time to date, had no declared champion.

The play-off series was axed after five games. The Seattle Metropolitans were due to face the Montreal Canadiens in the deciding game of the series, but when several of the Canadiens players and their manager George Kennedy were stricken with the flu, the game was scratched.

One player, Joe Hall, later died, while Kennedy suffered complications which ultimately led to his passing in 1921.

And in boxing, a much-hyped heavyweight six-rounder between Jack Dempsey and Barney Lebrowitz (aka Battling Levinsky) was postponed, though it eventually took place in Philadelphia, in November 1918.

At that point many cities had started to relax regulations forbidding large crowds gathering in one area, and a sizeable audience witnessed Dempsey flatten his opponent with a fierce right-hander in the third.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/other-sport/2020/0313/1122159-how-the-sporting-world-reacted-to-the-spanish-flu/

[GhostofDempsey]

Apparently some precautions were taken at the time. Here is a photo of a boxing match that took place on a Navy ship during the pandemic. Notice spectators and even ref have protective masks.

[IMG][/IMG]