Friday's weigh-ins ahead of the Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia fight were going smoothly right until the end.
In front of a large crowd outside Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena, site of Saturday's massive bout between the two undefeated stars, "Tank" and "King Ry" weighed in within a half-pound of one another — with Garcia the heavier of the two men at 135.5 lbs. Things were going as expected up to that point, with little of note from the undercard weigh-ins taking place.
However, as the fighters stepped in close for their stare down, both men continued the trash talk that has been constant in the lead-up to Saturday's fight. It seemed as though little else would happen, but Davis suddenly turned to the large entourage to his left and appeared to be verbally sparring with someone else.
As it turns out, it was legendary former boxer Bernard Hopkins at the other end of the verbal confrontation.
Davis and Hopkins jawed at each other momentarily before "Tank" turned back to Garcia and gave his upcoming opponent a shove to the chest, sparking a brief, albeit very mild, melee.
"I think him and Bernard started getting into and it got crazy," Garcia said of the confontation, stressing that he remains unwavering from the task at hand, which is defeating Davis on Saturday night. "I'm focused. I'm ready to destroy him, that's it."
Davis confirmed that words were exchanged with Hopkins: "He's talking about he about that life, man, nobody's worried about his old a—, he needs to sit back and let the youngins do it."
"Tank" then followed up with a prediction for the fight.
"Punishment, knockout. It's going to be crazy," Davis said. "Don't blink your eyes, don't get no popcorn, don't get no drinks, none of that. Make sure you're focused on the fight because it's gonna be an incredible fight."