A scheduled women’s junior middleweight title fight between undefeated boxer Claressa Shields and veteran Ivana Habazin is currently in limbo after a member of Shields’ entourage allegedly attacked Habazin’s trainer, Bashir Ali, during Friday’s official weigh ins at the Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center in Flint, Michigan.
ABC12 reports that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the attack on Ali. No name has been released at this time.
The scene was quite bizarre as Ali was allegedly sucker punched following an argument during official weigh ins. Ali was left unconscious and bleeding from the head before paramedics made their way in and tended to the trainer.
Habazin, who was visibly and understandably shook up, stood by Ali’s side as he was stretchered off into an ambulance. Despite the bloody attack, the boxing trainer is expected to make a full recovery.
Check out the video footage above courtesy of Fight Hype. More aftermath can be seen below:
Shields, 24, is currently undefeated at 9-0 in her professional boxing career after capturing two Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016. She has an extremely promising combat career, but may now have to wait to get her hands on Habazin depending on what happens following this pre-fight attack.
Habazin, 29, is the former IBO women’s middleweight champion. The Croatian fighter has won her last five fights and was hoping to pull off a huge upset over Shields this weekend on enemy territory. Who knows now if the former champion is ready to fight tomorrow night after witnessing an attack on her trainer.
Stick with Mania for more updates on this situation.