Jahlil Major Hackett and Peter Dobson had to be separated as they went head-to-head before the full matchup in Philadelphia on Saturday.
After some light-hearted exchanges during today's press conference, Hackett grabbed Dobson around the neck and shoved him away, and Dobson tried to hit Hackett with a right.
Up until that point, discussion of fighting had been colorful but had not threatened to boil over.
Hackett said New York's Dobson was coming off a notable loss to Connor Benn earlier this year, but Dobson believes Hackett hasn't raised the bar as an opponent and will be neutralised at the Wells Fargo Center.
“It was my last chance, [against Benn]”I'm 100 percent ready to win this time,” Dobson said. “I've worked my way up through the club shows, so ever since I started boxing I've been preparing to fight on the big shows.”
And taking specific aim at Hackett in Washington, D.C., “Pistol Pete” added: “It's too early. I don't know if his team is money-hungry or there's some other reason, but they're moving him too early. He's [Vasiliy] “Lomachenko is not an Olympian, he has never won a gold medal, so I don't know why anyone would believe he can get to this level so quickly.”
Dobson called Hackett, who has an 8-0 record (7 KOs) in the welterweight division, a “social media boxer.”
Hackett hit back: “He got beaten up last time he fought Conor Benn and it's going to be the same this time too. He's just a promising journeyman.”
“After 4 o'clock [rounds]Many people [are] I'm predicting six or seven wins, but I'm almost certain this won't be a game that goes all the way to the end either.
“I'll stop you,” Hackett added.
WBC featherweight champion Skye Nicholson, 10-0 from Australia, will make her first defense of her title against Diana Vargas, 19-1 from the Dominican Republic.
“She's definitely a dangerous opponent. We have a lot of respect for Dianna Vargas, but I'm very excited. I feel like I'm in a great position. I'm happy that I'm being called upon now, instead of chasing fights and trying to make these fights happen. They're coming to me.”
Vargas said he was excited to be competing in the bout, adding, “I think it's a great opportunity for any fighter to be able to fight for a world title. I'm very well prepared for this. I'm ready to compete on this stage.”
An intriguing 175-pound matchup will feature 8-0-1 (6 KOs) Khalil Coe taking on 11-1 (9 KOs) Kwalme Ritter.
“I'm really excited to fight here in Philadelphia,” said Coe, of New Jersey. “I've been training here with Bosey and Boots for a while now. I've known them for years. I'm going to be out there on Saturday looking to take the boxing world by storm again. I'll be making a statement on Saturday. The top 15 fighters are watching… I'll see them next.”
The Baltimore-based Ritter seemed relaxed and enjoying the moment, countering, “I'm ready. I'm feeling good. I know this opportunity was called up at short notice but it's great for us fighters to be on this stage. This is the stage. He's a great fighter. I'm looking forward to the fight, I want to test myself and do my best.”
Puerto Rican veteran Christopher Diaz-Velez (24-4, 18 KOs) takes on Dylan Hernandez-Gerard (12-1-1 (10 KOs)) to challenge WBA super featherweight champion Lamont Roach.
“I came back for the big dogs,” Diaz-Velez said. “I was tested at 126, 130, I fought Shakur. [Stevenson]”I fought Emmanuel Navarrete, I'm going for a world title, and on the next page you've got Lamont Roach. I'm going for you.”
Fellow Bosie Ennis-trained fighter Christian Kalt (22-1 (15 KOs) of Philadelphia) said he was excited to be on the main card with such great fighters.
“I'm ready,” he said. “I just want to keep winning, keep feeling good and move on to bigger matches.”
