Conor Benn and Rolly Romero’s confrontation at Madison Square Garden
British welterweight Conor Benn and American rival Rolly Romero nearly clashed physically at Madison Square Garden in New York as they attended Teofimo Lopez’s WBO super-lightweight title defence against Shakur Stevenson, reports BritPanorama.
The incident occurred less than 24 hours after both fighters were present at a boxing awards ceremony, where Benn’s bout against Chris Eubank Jr was recognised as the fight of the year. The buildup of tension between the two welterweights culminated in a near-altercation when Romero approached Benn’s ringside seat, clad in a striking orange puffer jacket.
The situation escalated when the fighters squared off, exchanging insults and threats before security personnel intervened to separate them. During the heated exchange, Benn appeared to grab hold of Romero’s jacket, with promoter Eddie Hearn stepping in as an impromptu peacekeeper. This confrontation highlighted the animosity between the two, both unwilling to de-escalate tensions in such a public forum.
Benn has long had his sights set on a match against Romero, expressing his eagerness during the summer. “We’ve got Rolly there. Rolly is a fight we’d love to make,” he stated, indicating a clear desire to arrange a bout. Following the confrontation, Benn reiterated his readiness to settle the matter immediately, declaring, “He can get it tonight, or we can do it next.”
Despite spending four years outside the 147lb category, Benn has announced his intention to return to the welterweight division, aiming for a world title. His recent No 1 ranking for Mario Barrios’ WBC championship underscores his ambition, with Benn expected to observe Barrios’s upcoming title fight against Ryan Garcia on 21 February from ringside, eyeing the victor as his next target, should negotiations with Romero falter.
This incident was not merely a fleeting moment of tension; it underscores the increasing stakes in the welterweight division and the personal rivalries that define it. The anticipation for a potential showdown between Benn and Romero is building, a narrative that has now been intricately woven into the fabric of their respective careers.
