Here at ILOSM, we rock with Denzel Washington. He’s not only one of the most dynamic actors in Hollywood, but he’s managed to remain his authentic self, without being psychologically overpowered by the power that success can sometimes bring. Part of his true self, is that he never took too kindly to any man coming at him sideways and one high roller Vegas gambler-turned ex-FBI informant, learned that lesson the other night.
For our entertainment fulfillment said wealthy gambler broke down how their altercation at the Gennady Golovkin-vs.-Canelo Álvarez middleweight championship fight transpired.
What Caused The Altercation
Shortly before Canelo and Golovkin were about to hit the boxing ring, many heavyweight celebs took their seats. Denzel Washington was seated front and center with actress/director, Debbie Allen’s husband/NBA legend, Norm Nixon. Seated nearby, were stars like Will Smith, LeBron James, and Dave Chappelle, who all apparently saw the drama unfold.
As Denzel was just chillin’ and having a good time, a popular high roller gambler named, RJ Cipriani, walked up to the “Malcolm X” movie O.G. and informed Denzel that he was sitting in his seat. That’s when all hell broke loose, according to what RJ’s reps told The Blast.
First came the initial contact:
Sources close to the Cipriani tells The Blast he said to Denzel, “Denzel, I love you bro but you’re in my seat.”
Cipriani claims Washington turned and told him, “Look at your ticket” and “This is my seat.” Eyewitnesses say the exchange then got heated with the actor saying loudly, “I don’t like you being all on top of me.”
Then came the heated argument for a few more minutes, due to the fact that Denzel was not budging outta that seat just because a random dude walked up to him and told him to. LOL. RL’s rep then claimed the gambler so-called threatened Denzel with a Training Day jab…which by the way, I personally think he’s exaggerating a tad bit, but it’s still interesting, so here it is:
Cipriani says he then pressed the actor further by saying “I’m trying to be a gentleman, and trying to be nice but you are not being nice to me.”
The parting shot was then tossed: “I’m being nice to you and you’re coming at me with all this anger and arrogance. I mean, I don’t know who you think you are but you’re in my seat. So unless you want this to end like ‘Training Day,’ get out of my seat now.”
In the end, we are told Denzel Washington moved seats and the gambler and his wife, Latina actress and singer Greice Santo, watched the fight.
Denzel’s rep said, “I don’t know a thing about it,” when contacted for comment by Page Six.
Typically, Denzel is a private cat, but it sure would be nice to get BOTH sides of the story. Pretty sure, it wasn’t as lop-sided of an altercation as RJ’s team made it seem. Denzel was probably talkin’ some MAJOR smack to RJ too. Why? Because like the Hollywood icon said, he does NOT like people invading his personal space.
Don’t take my word for it though, just ask Jamie Foxx about that time he spontaneously ran up on Denzel and ended up getting Denzel’s stiff elbow straight to the chest and throat region, LOL.
By the way, in case you’re wondering who RJ Cipriano is, here ya’ go:
Via The Blast– Cipriani is known in the gambling world as “Robin Hood 702,” due to his penchant for giving away his winnings to poor families. He was also an FBI informant who played an instrumental role in taking down a former USC football player on charges of drug trafficking and racketeering.
