Drinking water between rounds

[Rich L]

The boxers of old would take in fluid then spit it out between rounds.Why was this done?

[AdamGB]

A lot of guys still do... you've got sweat/blood and spit in your mouth... makes it easier to breath when it's you don't feel like you're gonna inhale it... it's hard to swallow and box believe it or not and you shouldn't be swallowing large ammounts of blood if your nose is bleeding anyway... not good for you!