https://www.newyorker.com/sports/sporting-scene/an-obsessive-chronicle-of-deaths-in-the-ring https://ejmas.com/jcs/velazquez/Muerte2011_pdf_Sep_2011.pdf Literally thousands of boxers have died in the ring or from injuries soon after their last fight.
For some reason there seems to be tons of false death reports in the 1700's papers. Loads of guys having fights after they are said to have died.
Every blow to the head rattled the brain inside the fighters skull. It’s an extremely dangerous occupation.
“Well it’s a lot safer than sword fighting or gun dueling” isn’t where I’d plant my flag. It’s a dangerous sport. It leaves a lot of practitioners broken and some in coffins. Boxers should be respected for that risk, which is why I am not a fan of calling someone a bum or ridiculing him because he happens to not be among the handfuls who are among the best in the world in their time — anyone who steps between those ropes is braver than anyone who sits on his couch and doesn’t.
