New York venue Madison Square Garden issued a warning before Teofimo Lopez vs. Shakur Stephenson and the Knicks vs. Lakers bill.
Published January 31, 2026
Madison Square Garden said it was threatening those fighting in the arena with “permanent bans” after multiple altercations at one of its events.
Video from TMZ.com showed two fights that broke out Friday as fighters weighed in for Friday night’s boxing card headlined by Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson. One of the videos showed a scuffle that started as Bill Haney, the father of boxer Devin Haney, was giving an interview near the stage.
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“Violence will not be tolerated at MSG at any event, including hockey, basketball, boxing, concerts, or special events,” Madison Square Garden said in a statement. “If you are found to have participated in any violent act, whether you are an attendee or patron of the event, you will be permanently banned and will not be able to attend or participate in any event at any venue.”
Thursday’s press conference for the Lopez-Stevenson title game got heated as the players on stage exchanged insults about their families, and the audience erupted in screams.
There was also an altercation near the cage on Nov. 15, when MSG hosted UFC 322.
The warning comes ahead of a busy weekend at the arena. Organizers say the boxing event is sold out and the Los Angeles Lakers visit the Knicks on Sunday for a nationally televised game that could be LeBron James’ last in the arena.
