- Michael van Gerwen and Chris Dobey will meet in the semi-finals on Thursday
- Van Gerwen has fueled the fire before the contest with his comments
Michael van Gerwen punched Chris Dobey before the pair's World Championship semi-final on Thursday night.
Dobey became the first man to reach the final four in Wednesday's afternoon session when he overcame 2020 world champion Gerwyn Price to seal a 5-3 victory.
The 34-year-old was playing in his third quarter-final on the Alexandra Palace stage and, after reaching the semi-finals for the first time in his career, spoke to the media about the challenge that awaited him.
When asked if he would prefer to play Van Gerwen or his close friend Callan Rydz, who also hails from the Northeast, Dobey responded, as quoted by SportsBoom: “It will probably be a little easier to play Michael (van Gerwen) than Callan (Rydz).”
While Dobey was making his controversial comment, Van Gerwen was on stage engaged in an exciting competition with Rydz.
Despite winning fewer matches, having a lower average and hitting fewer 180s than Rydz, Van Gerwen showed his class in key moments as he narrowly avoided being taken to a deciding set to win 5-3.
Michael van Gerwen criticized his semi-final opponent Chris Dobey ahead of the clash.
Dobey has said it would be “easier” to play Van Gerwen than Callan Rydz in the final four.
Van Gerwen accused Dobey of talking “nonsense” after beating Rydz (left)
Van Gerwen was asked about Dobey's comments in his post-match press conference, and the three-time champion didn't really like being seen as an “easier” opponent.
“People, when they win, say a lot of nonsense,” he said.
It is not the first time in this year's tournament that Van Gerwen has targeted one of his rivals.
The Dutchman also criticized Peter Wright earlier this week following his war of words with defending champion Luke Humphries.
Wright backed up his comments by knocking Humphries out of the World Championship at the last 16 stage, and will return for his quarter-final with Stephen Bunting tonight.
But Van Gerwen still accused Wright of “talking shit” and claimed that “nobody takes him seriously on tour.”
Van Gerwen and Dobey will settle their differences on the oche on Thursday night, with the Dutch superstar returning to his best after a disappointing 2024.
He lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy in 2014, 2017 and 2019, and is now just two games away from winning the sport's top prize for the fourth time.