Nice to see Mike Tyson back to his ol’ brawlin’ self. Not so nice to see him do it at LAX. Even less nice to see him do it not at the trendy nightclub known as LAX, but at the LAX as in Los Angeles International Airport.
Both TMZ and the LA Times report that Iron Mike was detained after getting irate at a pushy paparazzo Wednesday afternoon. And when purportedly provoked, the former pugulist did what everyone would expect him to do - calmly & politely asked the photog to respect his personal space.
No, not really.
TMZ has the tale of the [CRIME SCENE - DO NOT CROSS] tape:
We’re told Tyson was at a ticket counter at the United Airlines terminal when the incident occurred. The photographer got punched in the face, hit the ground, got up and began walking, leaving a trail of blood.
Someone at the scene tells TMZ … the photographer got very close to Tyson before the boxer struck him. Our guy on the scene says there’s blood on the ground and Mike was taken away in a squad car. We’re told an ambulance was dispatched at 4:39 PM to LAX — we’re told the paparazzo was transported to a local hospital.
However, Tyson’s rep counters that it was the photographer who was being “overly aggressive” towards Tyson and his 10 month-old child. From the LAT:
(A law enforcement) source said Tyson told investigators that the photographer struck him in an apparent attempt to provoke him. The photographer told investigators that Tyson punched him in the face and tried to take the film from his camera, according to the source, who spoke on condition that he not be named because it was an open investigation.
So, who to believe? The LAPD has a temporary solution for the time being:
Both men wanted to press battery charges against each other, so police placed both under arrest, the source said.
Seems fair. However, it’s too bad this unfortunate event had to happen now - it’s too late to include it in the “Tyson” documentary film that came out last April. Maybe we’ll see it in the sequel.
*UPDATE*: BLACK SPORTS ONLINE offers up a shot of Tony Etcheverria, the shutterbug that Tyson slugged:
6:22 am on November 12th, 2009
A paparazzo using a film camera? Surely this can’t be right? Or Tyson needs to get with the times.
7:16 am on November 12th, 2009
As the media becomes increasingly intrusive, maybe we need laws to prevent ‘in your face’ cameras being used in the way that we see all the time. Cameras have good enough lenses to now legislate for a distance of - say - 3 metres being as close as unwanted paparazzo may approach anyone to take photos or otherwise intrude. The media is a necessity - but often with a mannerless army of paparazzo which need some controls
7:43 am on November 12th, 2009
Why dont they just leave Mike alone to get on whith his life, it seams some people just want to wind him up for their own publicity, Mike has suffered enough just lately, why dont these people publish the good things Mike is doing, oh i forgot, good news dose not sell papers, hang in there Mike some of us out there are on your side.
8:35 am on November 12th, 2009
Penalties off set…. No flag on the play. First down!
10:15 am on November 12th, 2009
I’m actually starting feel sorry for this guy! I watched him on Oprah and it’s obvious that he’s battling with the rage that he has and it seems that he is now a loving father. The paparazzi are asses and hope they get prosecuted for provoking him.
10:50 am on November 12th, 2009
@David Clarke
Totally agree, these pond scum photogs are the worst of the worst.
Time to enact a 20′ buffer zone law
Having said that,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Good job Mike
12:55 pm on November 12th, 2009
I understand that celebrtities are clearly aware they will be followed but there should be rules and boundaries when babies and children are involved!! Leave Tyson alone!
1:06 pm on November 12th, 2009
What, no biting?
2:30 pm on November 12th, 2009
I am taking Iron Mike’s side on this one! Anyone who hasn’t been under a rock within the last 20 years knows what his reputation is. If you want that photo bad enough….you take your chances. No one is above an butt-kicking!!!!!
4:14 pm on November 12th, 2009
Why dont the photographers and press just back off and mind their own business, I dont blame Mike, they push their luck…I can understand why Mike wants to stay at home most of the time.
6:02 pm on November 12th, 2009
Good to see that Mike takes no shit from the paps!
You’d have to be suicidal to try and pap Iron Mike. What the hell was the guy thinking?
I hope Mike doesn’t get thrown in jail again for this.
6:10 pm on November 12th, 2009
Good stuff, love it when pushy paparazzi get their butts kicked. Its what they were looking for and they got it, so they cant complain.
7:41 pm on November 12th, 2009
Mike is trying to live his life people need to leave him alone.Plus he is a very proud man so he is not going to take some disrespect from some paparazzi scum.Guy got what he deserved.
3:32 am on November 13th, 2009
Mike, what’s occuring? You punch a pap in the face and the guy gets up and is still able to walk. Must have been Rocky Paparazziano.