Backstage Confrontation at Ring III Weigh-In
In an unexpected turn of events, Brian Norman Jr. found himself embroiled in a backstage confrontation with Devin Haney’s security personnel during the weigh-in ceremonies for the highly anticipated Ring III boxing event scheduled to take place at Louis Armstrong Stadium this Saturday. The face-off happened as both fighters prepared for their upcoming matchup, which will see Norman defend his WBO welterweight title against Haney this November amid Riyadh Season festivities.
Escalation of Tensions
While tensions have been simmering ahead of the planned bout, little could have anticipated the fiery interaction that unfolded. Footage captured by onlookers showed Norman and Haney engaged in a verbal exchange, which escalated when Norman stepped closer to the champion than Haney’s security guard deemed acceptable. The situation quickly intensified when the guard, known as ‘Big Tank’, intervened, aggressively yanking on Norman’s shirt which resulted in it tearing as he attempted to restrain the challenger.
Unexpected Retaliation
However, the incident took a surprising turn when Norman retaliated with impressive strength, tossing Tank to the ground with a single-arm hip-toss, showcasing the fighter’s agility and athleticism. The dramatic altercation quickly circulated on social media, capturing the attention of fans and commentators alike. Crystina Poncher, a commentator for Top Rank, remarked on the scene, pointing out the torn shirt.
Reactions from the Boxing Community
Reactions poured in from various quarters, including Oleksandr Usyk’s manager, who disapprovingly noted the trend of confrontational incidents among younger boxers, expressing frustration about how such behaviors are tarnishing the integrity of the sport. He commented,
“These people are turning this beautiful sport we had into a brutal mess. Relax, it’s sport, not a gang game between cartels, and by the way, you are not a gangster, chill down!”
Meanwhile, Haney took to social media to share a photo of Tank holding up the remnants of both Norman’s and his own father’s shirts, seemingly amused by the turmoil his security caused. In the wake of the altercation, comments flew back and forth among boxing circles, with Tay Jones from Deontay Wilder’s team playfully highlighting that Norman, despite being a lighter fighter, managed to outmaneuver a much larger security figure.
Looking Ahead to November
As excitement builds for the November clash, boxing fans are eager for what promises to be an electrifying ‘Ring IV’ event, headlined by a major bout between David Benavidez and Anthony Yarde, alongside other notable matches including Abdullah Mason versus Sam Noakes for the vacant WBO lightweight title and a super flyweight unification clash featuring Jesse Rodriguez against Fernando Martinez.
With just four months left until fight night, anticipation continues to mount in the boxing community.
About the Author
Phil Jay is an esteemed boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the sport worldwide. As the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010, Jay has conducted interviews with numerous world champions and has reported from the ringside of boxing’s most significant events.
