Madison Square Garden threatens lifetime ban for fighting in arena
Madison Square Garden released a statement warning that anyone fighting in the arena could face a lifetime ban after several fights broke out at an event Friday.
The venue was hosting weigh-ins for Saturday night’s fight featuring Shakur Stevenson and Teofimo Lopez when the chaos began.
Video obtained by TMZ shows several melee in progress, including one near the stage shortly after the boxers got off the scale. A group of men can be seen exchanging punches after a heated exchange of words, even as Bill Haney – father of WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney – attempted to defuse the conflict.
The elder Haney was conducting an interview when he was suddenly drawn into the skirmish.
In a separate clip shared online, another fight can be seen breaking out in a hallway near some exit doors. The fight continued until it was finally broken up by bystanders, the video shows.
The scuffles took place during an already intense night, with tensions fueled by a brutal news conference Thursday for the title fight between Lopez and Stevenson, during which the boxers traded insults about their family members.
At one point, members of the crowd also joined in, yelling at the boxers and each other.
Following the incidents, Madison Square Garden announced Saturday that anyone fighting in the arena could be “banned for life” from any MSG Entertainment venue, which also includes Radio City Music Hall and Beacon Theater.
“Violence will not be tolerated at MSG during any type of event, including hockey, basketball, boxing, concerts or special events,” company officials said in a statement. “If anyone participates in violent activity, whether you are part of the event or a patron, you will be banned for life and will not be able to attend or participate in an event at any of our locations.”
The new rule came ahead of a busy weekend at MSG, which included a sold-out boxing event and a showdown between the Knicks and Lakers on Sunday.
With news feed services
