Claressa Shields vs. Ivana Habazin: Habazin’s trainer attacked at weigh-in

The weigh-in for the Claressa Shields vs. Ivana Habazin bout went off the rail’s when Habazin’s trainer was attacked and hospitalized.

Claressa Shields is set to fight Ivana Habazin on Saturday, Oct. 5, in Shields hometown of Flint, MI, but the fight is in jeopardy after initial reports are that Habazin’s trainer was attacked and hospitalized. Some speculate that the assailant was a member of Shields’ entourage.

Shields is the biggest name in women’s boxing and hopes to win the WBC and WBO super welterweight titles, but Habazin’s trainer, Bashir Ali, was reportedly struck in the back of the head during Friday’s weigh-in.

Reporter Jonathan Deutsch was at the weigh-in and was one of the first to report that Ali was sucker-punched at the pre-fight event on Twitter. Deutsch’s first tweeted about the assault at 1:09 p.m. ET.

Deutsch continued to tweet about the attack on Ali for the next hour. One of his tweets includes footage of Ali being carted out on a stretcher from the Dort Federal Event Center.

Local Flint news media outlets have picked up the story, including West Michigan’s WWMT, which states, “Flint Police say one suspect is in custody.”

The weigh-in is continuing with the boxers on the undercard, but it’s unclear how or if the Shields vs. Habazin bout will be impacted.

Shields won titles as a middleweight and super middleweight. Her bout against Habazin was supposed to be her first as a super welterweight. Winning championships in three divisions would be a historic moment for Shields, but it’s unclear if she will have the opportunity.

The bout is scheduled to appear on Showtime at 9 p.m. ET. The remainder of the fight card is secure, but the main event is in doubt.

Habazin’s trainer Bashir Ali worked under the legendary Emmanuel Steward out of the world-famous Kronk Gym in Detroit. This attack on Ali is a disgrace, and all in the boxing world hope that he is well and makes a speedy recovery.