Mike Tyson says he was just defending his wife and 10-month-old child when he got into an altercation with an overaggressive photographer.
"Mike acted in self-defense as a father protecting his child," said Tyson's spokeswoman Tammy Brook. "He did absolutely nothing wrong, he was the victim in this case."
The former boxing champion was passing through Los Angeles International Airport when a celebrity photographer began snapping photos at the United Airlines terminal.
The two men got into a scuffle, according to Sgt. Jim Holcomb, and it's alleged that Tyson hit the photographer in the face, causing him to fall to the ground. The photographer had to be taken to a local hospital after he sustained a laceration to the forehead.
Tyson was arrested and held on $20,000 bail after officers arrived at the scene.
However, the photographer maintains he was shooting from a distance and claims he had to receive five stitches after Tyson hit him at least four times.
"When you're getting hit by Mike Tyson, it's the worst thing in the world you can imagine," he says.
Tyson is currently serving a three-probation term from a drug arrest in Arizona, so he could be sent back to jail if he's found to have violated those terms. The city attorney has not decided yet whether to file criminal charges.
Mike Tyson says he was just defending his wife and 10-month-old child when he got into an altercation with an overaggressive photographer.
