Key Points
Conor Benn and Rolly Romero engaged in a heated confrontation at Madison Square Garden during the Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson event on February 1, 2026.
Both fighters have built up animosity over months, with Benn expressing interest in fighting Romero for the welterweight title following their public altercation.
Promoter Eddie Hearn intervened to separate Benn and Romero, highlighting the high stakes and fan interest surrounding the potential Benn vs Romero showdown.
Boxing fans at Madison Square Garden got more than they bargained for on February 1, 2026, as a fiery confrontation erupted between British welterweight contender Conor Benn and American rival Rolly Romero during the highly anticipated Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson bout. The tension between the two fighters, already simmering from past exchanges and professional ambitions, finally came to a boil in front of a packed house and a global audience.
The evening was already electric, with the Lopez-Stevenson fight drawing major names from the sport and fans eager for action. But during a break in the main event, the spotlight shifted ringside as Rolly Romero, sporting a giant orange puffer jacket, made his way toward Conor Benn’s seat. Benn, seated alongside renowned promoter Eddie Hearn and influential boxing figure Turki Alalshikh, was visibly on edge as Romero approached. Within moments, the situation escalated: Benn reached over and grabbed Romero by the coat, shoving him and exchanging heated words. Security and Hearn himself quickly intervened, separating the two before things could spiral further.
Several videos captured the incident, showing both fighters hurling insults and threats in full view of the crowd and cameras. The exact cause of the altercation remains unclear, but the animosity between Benn and Romero is hardly new. As one eyewitness described, “The rowing rivals went head-to-head and swapped insults and threats before being pulled apart.” The confrontation marked the latest chapter in a rivalry that has been building for months, if not years, as both men eye the same prize in boxing’s welterweight division.
Adding another layer to the drama, Benn and Romero had shared the stage just the night before at a prestigious boxing awards show. There, Benn’s first encounter with Chris Eubank Jr.—a fight that electrified fans and critics alike—was honored as ‘Fight of the Year.’ While the awards ceremony was a celebration of boxing’s best moments, it also set the stage for the simmering tension that would erupt at Madison Square Garden.
Benn, now 29, is no stranger to high-stakes drama. After a rollercoaster 2025, where he suffered a defeat to Chris Eubank Jr. in April but bounced back with a decisive victory in their November rematch—scoring two knockdowns in the final round—he’s set his sights on reclaiming his place in the welterweight hierarchy. Despite spending four years away from the 147lb division, Benn is determined to return for a world title shot. “We’ve got Rolly there. Rolly is a fight we’d love to make,” Benn declared last summer, hinting that if other options didn’t materialize, Romero would be his next target. After the altercation, Benn doubled down: “He can get it tonight, or we can do it next.”
Romero, aged 30, is also riding high after a significant victory over Ryan Garcia in May 2025. The American’s brash persona and willingness to stir the pot have made him a polarizing figure in the sport, but his performances in the ring have kept him at the forefront of the welterweight conversation. With both fighters now publicly calling each other out and tensions reaching a breaking point, the prospect of a Benn vs Romero showdown has never felt more real.
Promoter Eddie Hearn, who found himself playing the unlikely role of peacemaker during the ringside melee, has long been an advocate for big, fan-friendly fights. His presence at the scene underscores the high stakes involved—not just for Benn and Romero, but for the entire division. Hearn’s quick intervention helped defuse the situation, but it’s clear that both camps are eager to settle their differences inside the ring.
The timing of the confrontation couldn’t be more significant. The welterweight division is poised for a blockbuster year, with major title fights and rising stars jostling for position. On February 21, Mario Barrios will defend his WBC welterweight title against Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas, a bout that Benn has already confirmed he’ll attend ringside. With Benn ranked No. 1 for Barrios’ belt, the British contender has made it clear he wants the winner—but if that opportunity doesn’t materialize, Romero remains firmly in his sights.
The boxing calendar for 2026 is packed with high-profile matchups. Beyond the Barrios-Garcia showdown, February 7 will see Nick Ball face Brandon Figueroa for the WBA featherweight title, while March and April promise even more action with names like Claressa Shields, Derek Chisora, Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury, and Arslanbek Makhmudov all scheduled to compete. For Benn and Romero, the path to a world title runs through each other—and after their recent confrontation, fans are clamoring for the fight to be made.
Benn’s journey back to the welterweight division has been anything but straightforward. His victory over Eubank in November 2025, where he scored two knockdowns in the final round, was a statement to the boxing world that he remains a force to be reckoned with. Now, with a No. 1 ranking and a renewed sense of purpose, Benn is eager to prove he belongs among the elite. “If we don’t make progress with any other developments by the end of the month, then we pull the trigger on getting the Rolly fight made,” Benn said last summer—a sentiment that feels even more pressing after the Madison Square Garden incident.
Romero, meanwhile, has his own ambitions. His win over Ryan Garcia last year solidified his status as a top contender, and his willingness to confront Benn in person suggests he’s just as eager to settle the score. With both fighters trading barbs and physical jabs in public, the anticipation for a formal announcement is reaching fever pitch.
As for the cause of the confrontation, speculation abounds. Was it a calculated move to drum up interest in a future fight, or simply the result of months of pent-up frustration? For now, neither camp has offered a definitive explanation, but one thing is certain: the rivalry is real, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
With the boxing world watching and fans demanding answers, all eyes are now on Benn, Romero, and their respective teams. Will a fight be signed in the coming weeks? Or will the tension continue to simmer until another high-profile event brings them face to face once again? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure—after their explosive encounter at Madison Square Garden, the appetite for Benn vs Romero has never been greater.
For now, the dust has settled, but the echoes of that ringside clash are sure to reverberate throughout the sport. As the welterweight division gears up for a landmark year, the possibility of Conor Benn and Rolly Romero finally settling their differences in the ring looms large—a prospect that has fans, promoters, and the fighters themselves counting down the days.
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