Looks like Mike Tyson still has moves! The former heavyweight boxing champion was travelling with his wife and 10-month-old child in an LAX when an overly aggressive paparazzi pounced. One punch in the face from Tyson was enough to drop paparazzi to the ground. The boxer claims he reacted out of self-defence to protect his child. He was soon arrested and will be charged with misdemeanour battery. According to police records, he was held for $20,000 bail. The photographer, identified as Tony Echevarria will also be charged with misdemeanour battery when he is released from the hospital. Echevarria suffered a cut to his forehead from hitting the floor. He should be happy it’s just a cut and not an ear.
While Tyson claims that the paparazzo followed him and his family through airport terminals and provoked him, Echevarria is reporting that the former boxer punched him when he tried to get a picture. However, the scuffle might be violating the terms of his probation. In 2007, Tyson was convicted of felony cocaine possession and misdemeanour DUI which has had him on probation for three years. If the courts find him guilty of violating his probation because of the brawl, he may face going to prison for up to five years.
Tyson has had a troubled past which may be a disadvantage while facing prosecutors. Growing up, he was involved in criminal gang activity and eventually attended a school for troubled youth. There he began boxing and ultimately became known as “Iron Mike” for his fierce fighting in the ring. He was also convicted of sexual assault against a Miss Black America contestant and spent three years of a six-year sentence in prison. With a rap sheet like that, why would anyone mess with the guy? Especially considering the many titles under his heavyweight belt.
All in all, a lesson for all paparazzi: Don’t mess with former fighters!
Check out this video of the arrest.
http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=114714&newsChannel=entertainmentNews
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