Anthony Knox Jr., New Jersey high school wrestler, charged after involvement in brawl in stands

Three-time New Jersey state wrestling champion Anthony Knox was charged for his alleged involvement in a brawl during the District 25 Tournament on February 22nd.

According to a report from NJ Advance Media’s Brian Deakyne, Knox was charged with simple assault-purposely/knowingly causing bodily injury, via court documents. The brawl involved his father, Anthony Knox Sr. as we went into the stands amid alleged verbal harassment from opposing fans.

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Knox Jr., a Cornell bound wrestler, was seen on video following into the stands and appeared to throw punches. After the 190 pound championship bout in February, Knox Sr. was shown on video leaving his seat, walking across the gym floor and re-entering the bleachers to confront stands, supposedly in the West Deptford High school section. The brawl occurred moments later.

Video also showed Knox Sr. and Jr. being led away by police in handcuffs. Collingswood Police have not revealed additional details about the case.

Knox Jr.’s involvement made national headlines, considering his stature in New Jersey wrestling history. He’s looking to become only the fifth wrestler in state history to win four state titles.

Knox was originally barred from competition in the Region 7 Tournament last weekend due to his involvement, per the NJSIAA. However, Superior Court Judge Patrick Bartels granted Knox a temporary restraining order just hours before the start of the tournament last Friday.

He won his fourth straight region title and earned the No. 1 seed at 126 pounds in the 2025 NJ State Tournament, beginning Thursday, in Atlantic City.

Pending the outcome of the request for a stay, and/or the likely appeal from the NJSIAA, Knox is slated to wrestle this weekend.

The NJSIAA requested the stay Friday night. That statement in its entirety can be found HERE.

Knox, a decorated wrestler nearly his entire life, is 142-1 in his high school career and has been virtually untouchable in every match. It would be one of the greatest upsets in New Jersey wrestling history should he not win a state title Saturday in Atlantic City.

There were questions if Knox’s status at Cornell would change amid this incident. Big Red head coach Mike Grey revealed he had “tough conversations” with Knox and that he would still wrestle for the program.

“I spoke with him, it’s just a tough conversation, right?” Grey told NJ Advance Media’s Bill Evans. “Obviously, he can’t wrestle. He lost an opportunity, and it’s tough. I prefer to keep that conversation between us. It’s not about me, it’s about the kids and trying to do whatever I can to help them. There’s not much more I can say other than it’s a tough situation.”