Moncton police defused a potential brawl outside a downtown bar early Sunday morning.
An estimated 2,000 people had gathered in and around the Oxygen Nightclub shortly before closing time, said Cpl. Denis Haché.
Several of them had been attending a boxing tournament at l'Université de Moncton Saturday night and were denied entry to the bar, he said.
'No police presence could have been very devastating.'—Cp. Denis Haché, Moncton police
"Some wanted to fight and I think it was very important to have police presence. No police presence could have been very devastating," Haché said.
Eleven police cruisers responded.
"Liquor and the adrenaline rush of seeing other people fight and the influence of people fighting, you have to be cognizant of that," Haché said.
Police responded after an anonymous caller reported some patrons getting agitated with a bouncer outside the club around midnight.
Later on, two busloads of men, who had been told there was going to be an after-hours party at the bar, were denied entry.
There were no arrests for any physical actions, but several men were picked up for public intoxication, said Haché.
"If you are going to attend those places, make sure someone sober and responsible will take care of you," he added.
