A series of intense brawls erupted during the weigh-ins for the highly anticipated WBO World Super Lightweight title fight between Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson. The confrontations took place on Friday at The Theater in Madison Square Garden, New York City, just one day before their scheduled match.
Multiple angles captured chaotic scenes near the stage where punches were exchanged amid heated verbal disputes. The melee involved several men, creating a tense and unruly environment ahead of the main event.
Notably, Bill Haney, the father of boxer Devin Haney, was seen actively involved in trying to quell the disturbances. Despite his efforts to de-escalate the situation, the conflict reignited later near the venue’s exit doors, requiring intervention from bystanders to restore order.
The New York Police Department confirmed to TMZ Sports that law enforcement was not called to Madison Square Garden in relation to these altercations. This detail suggests the brawls, although wild and public, were managed and dispersed internally without official police involvement.
Leading up to these events, tensions had already been building. During press conferences, Stevenson attempted a direct confrontation on stage with Lopez. Furthermore, Terence Crawford engaged in a verbal clash with Lopez’s father during the final face-off, adding fuel to the fiery atmosphere.
The volatile weigh-in clashes and pre-fight exchanges signal a very charged atmosphere heading into the bout. Fans and analysts alike anticipate a night filled with heightened emotions and intense competition inside the ring.
Such moments underscore how boxing’s drama can spill over beyond just the fights themselves, affecting all involved parties in the lead-up. Observers will watch closely to see how Lopez and Stevenson channel this tension once they face off officially.
Read more at: www.tmz.com
