We Went Inside a Sports ‘Bubble.’ Here’s What We Saw. - The New York Times

LAS VEGAS — Robeisy Ramirez had no idea that his fourth professional bout as a featherweight boxer would come in the middle of a pandemic.

A two-time Olympic gold medalist from Cuba, Ramirez had spent the previous three days in a quarantined “bubble” at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, then needed just 54 seconds to knock out Yeuri Andujar, which was his way of christening the return of live boxing to Las Vegas after a three-month hiatus because of the coronavirus outbreak.

To Ramirez, it felt a lot like a normal fight, except that no one was there to cheer for him.

“You feel the difference,” he said, “when you hit someone.”

The five-fight card on Tuesday night, organized by the boxing promotion company Top Rank and shown on ESPN, offered a glimpse of what live sports now look like, and a preview of what could await Major League Baseball, the N.B.A. and other sports leagues as they seek to resume play.

Rigid testing protocols. Wristbands with bar codes. Security personnel who patrolled the hotel hallway and escorted fighters to a designated area for their meals. A ring-card girl who wanted to know if she should change into her “cute mask” for the pre-fight weigh-in, and boxers who pulled on powder-blue surgical booties before stepping onto the scale.

Shakur Stevenson, the main attraction, traveled only with his grandfather, his coach.

Boxers wore booties at their weigh-ins as a health precaution.

And then there were the spectator-free bouts themselves, staged on the set of an elaborate television studio, replete with 11 oversize video screens, smoke machines to assist with the fighters’ entrances and piped-in crowd noise, courtesy of an online app. Instead of being in the ring, the host was stationed on a platform about 30 yards away, not far from a second platform for the ring-card girls. And broadcasters called the action from their living rooms, thousands of miles away.

“I’ve spent 55 years in the business, and I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Bob Arum, Top Rank’s founder and chief executive. “What the hell did I know about the coronavirus?”

Top Rank hopes to stage two cards a week through the rest of the summer, and the company’s preparations were exhaustive. Brad Jacobs, Top Rank’s chief operating officer, said that all the additional medical protocols — which include virus testing and temperature checks, along with on-site nurses and physicians — would cost about $500,000 through July.

And then there was creating a self-contained and highly sanitized sliver of the MGM Grand’s sprawling campus in a city that had otherwise relaxed its social-distancing policies. The bubble consists of a single floor of the hotel, where everyone associated with the fights — boxers, trainers, promoters, production crew — is tested and housed, and an adjacent convention center, where the fights are staged.

Fighters and crew members waiting to receive coronavirus tests.

There are also locker rooms for the fighters, two training gyms, and offices for personnel from ESPN, Top Rank and the Nevada Athletic Commission. A catering staff serves meals behind panes of plexiglass in a conference room, where the décor features posted reminders to maintain six feet of social distance and dinner comes with a side of hand sanitizer.

The whole setup feels at times like an actual bubble, amplified by the nearby presence of one of the resort’s swimming pools — viewable from the convention center’s lobby through huge windows that make it seem oddly illusory. The pool has been teeming with sunbathers since casino resorts across the city reopened on June 4.

The contrast between those two worlds, and the radically changed environment, has led the state’s athletic commission to take a more prominent role in the staging of bouts.

One of the commission’s primary responsibilities has always been to ensure the health of the fighters, Bob Bennett, the executive director, said. But that imperative has multiplied amid the pandemic. Now, he said, the commission has to safeguard “the promoter, the cornermen, the production crew, the security, the officials and our staff.”

Bennett said he was leaning on his past experiences as an F.B.I. agent and as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps. “You have to be anticipatory and respect your foe,” he said, referring to the virus.

Boxers and their camps will come and go over the coming weeks. But many out-of-town staffers were anticipating being stuck in place for the long haul. Michael Nevitt, the president and senior designer for Crossfade Design, which produced the signage, graphics and lighting for the fights, lives in Louisville, Ky. He was not going stir-crazy — yet.

A staff member, Katie Neff, checks a wristband confirming the person entering tested negative for the coronavirus.

Fighters had wristbands checked, too.

“I’ve never had to be sequestered for a job before,” Nevitt said. “It opens up all kinds of weird things because we get here and think, ‘Oh, I need to run out to the Home Depot for something.’ Well, I can’t because I’m locked in.”

Those who leave the bubble have to start the process over to come back in — getting a new test and then quarantining overnight in a hotel room until the result comes back. Within the bubble, everyone is tested at least twice a week.

Nevitt said he had worked out a system of “runners” who could retrieve items he may need and drop them off at one of the hotel’s loading docks. Still, an event that would normally take his crew about a day to set up had consumed the better part of five days.

“But I like a challenge,” Nevitt said. “The other thing is, it’s work, right? In our industry, when you’re a lighting and design company, we do television, lighting, corporate events and sports arenas. I just named five things that Covid killed. So this gives us an opportunity to at least get our guys working.”

That was the consensus among the bubble dwellers. If they had experienced various inconveniences — “It feels like we’re grounded,” said Tianna Tuamoheloa, who was working the event as a ring-card girl with Stephanie Cook — it still beat the alternative, which was a lot more of doing very little.

Limited to online marketing through their social media accounts in recent months, Tuamoheloa and Cook said they were happy to be working again but disappointed that they were barred from using the hotel’s fitness center, which was outside the bubble.

“We brought stuff to work out in our room,” Cook said, “but I would still prefer a treadmill.”

Stephanie Cook, left, and Tianna Tuamoheloa wore masks regularly while working as ring-card girls.

They also had concerns about the masks, which they were required to wear at the weigh-in Monday afternoon. What was the point, Cook asked, if nobody could see their faces? After all, everyone inside the bubble had already tested negative. But the optics were important to Bennett and the event’s promoters.

“We want to show the public respect,” Bennett said.

Unlike the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which seemed to go out of its way to flaunt coronavirus precautions during fights last month, Top Rank and ESPN ensured viewers knew they were taking the pandemic seriously. The first 10 minutes of ESPN’s telecast were dedicated to outlining every health precaution being taken, and there was even an “in memoriam” segment for boxing figures who had virus-related deaths.

The weigh-in itself was another clear indication that none of this was business as usual. Mark Shunock, Top Rank’s in-ring host, was rehearsing his lines — “Boxing is BACK!” — when he came to the realization that shouting into a mask was bizarre. But he practically vibrated with enthusiasm.

“I think we’re tired of watching cornhole,” he said in an interview. “I know I am.”

The boxers, also wearing masks, came to the stage to be weighed, one by one, then posed, while social distancing, for photos with their opponents. The scale was constantly wiped clean after being blasted with antimicrobial spray. Bennett was annoyed when he realized that Shakur Stevenson, the headliner, had stepped forward for his photo after he had ditched his mask.

“It’s just the principle,” Bennett said.

Later that afternoon, Stevenson was relaxing in his hotel suite — one of several perks for being the show’s headliner. He also had an off-site personal chef who was able to deliver his meals through hotel staff.

A 22-year-old super featherweight from Newark who has drawn comparisons to Floyd Mayweather, Stevenson fired up “Call of Duty” on the video-game console he had brought with him. Usually, he said, he would be spending time with his family before one of his fights. He has a couple of young cousins whom he likes to boss around.

“Have them do stuff for me, run back and forth, do this, do that,” he said with a hint of nostalgia.

The Coronavirus Outbreak

• Frequently Asked Questions and Advice

  Updated June 12, 2020

  • What’s the risk of catching coronavirus from a surface?

    Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.

  • Does asymptomatic transmission of Covid-19 happen?

    So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.

  • How does blood type influence coronavirus?

    A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.

  • How many people have lost their jobs due to coronavirus in the U.S.?

    The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.

  • Will protests set off a second viral wave of coronavirus?

    Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.

  • How do we start exercising again without hurting ourselves after months of lockdown?

    Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.

  • My state is reopening. Is it safe to go out?

    States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.

  • What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

    Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.

  • How can I protect myself while flying?

    If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)

  • How do I take my temperature?

    Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.

  • Should I wear a mask?

    The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.

  • What should I do if I feel sick?

    If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.

  • How do I get tested?

    If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.

---

But ahead of Tuesday’s bout, Stevenson found that his traveling party had dwindled to one: his grandfather, Wali Moses, who works as his coach.

Stevenson had his personal chef prepare meals to be delivered to his hotel room.

Stevenson passed time playing video games in his hotel room.

Stevenson had some other family members and friends who had made the trip, but they were staying at a different hotel and would not be able to see him until he emerged from the bubble. But Stevenson was glad to be fighting, he said. It had been nearly eight months since his last bout. And he liked that he was the star attraction for boxing’s return.

“I’m hoping that I can get some fans from outside of boxing to become Shakur Stevenson fans,” he said. “It’s definitely cool that all eyes are going to be on me.”

Stevenson did have some minor quibbles with bubble life, starting with the training gym. It was too cold when he was trying to shed pounds ahead of his weigh-in, he said, and the punching bag was the type “you give your 3-year-old son.” But said he also understood the odd circumstances.

Of greater concern to him was the sudden departure of his trainer, Kay Koroma. Even though Koroma’s coronavirus test had come back negative, he had also been working with Mikaela Mayer, a boxer on the card who had tested positive. Protocols put in place by the state’s athletic commission required that Mayer and the rest of her team be removed from the bubble. (Mayer’s was the only positive test.)

“Contact tracing takes place,” Bennett said. “It’s for the betterment and safety of everybody.”

In any case, Stevenson was irritated.

“They said he took the test and it came back negative,” he said, referring to Koroma. “So why does he have to go? It don’t really make too much sense, but the show’s got to continue.”

Given its modest ecosystem — about 150 people were quarantined for Tuesday’s fights — and the obstacles it still produced, the event raised questions about how other sports would restart in much larger, more complex bubbles. The N.B.A., for example, plans to play out the rest of its season at Walt Disney World’s sports complex in Florida. The two teams that reach the finals could be isolated in a small wedge of the theme park for about three months, and some players are raising qualms.

“I wouldn’t want to be in a bubble that long,” Stevenson said. “And they’re not going to have fans? You all think it’s weird with boxing. In basketball, it’ll be a whole different thing.”

The fights, without spectators except judges and production staff members, were among the first major sporting events staged in the pandemic.

Stevenson, shown after defeating Felix Caraballo, was glad to have much of the spotlight.

By fight night, Stevenson was ready to go and proceeded to punish his opponent, Felix Caraballo, to run his record to 14-0.

Afterward, Arum described the fights as “Phase 1” of the return to sports: three months of sports without spectators. “Phase 2,” he said, would introduce a limited number of fans.

For now, Arum said he would like to beef up future cards by adding fights.

“With all of the issues about the hotel rooms and testing, we didn’t want to overload the thing,” he said. “But now, we feel pretty confident that we can handle it all.”

Draper reported from Lawrence, Kan.

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