Boxing legend Mike Tyson admits he shouldn't be flying on public planes after recently being involved in a violent row with another passenger.
'Iron Mike' was filmed repeatedly punching 36-year-old Melvin George Townsend III whilst onboard a JetBlue plane last month, leaving him bloodied with cuts to his forehead. A District Attorney refused to punish Tyson for his actions, deeming he was provoked by Mr Townsend.
Tyson claimed Mr Townsend threw a bottle of water at him before the attack. The 55-year-old, who said that Mr Townsend was "f******" with him, thinks he shouldn't be flying on public planes after the incident.
"Yes, they said they ain't gonna pick up charges. He was f****** with me. I took pictures with this n****. I shouldn't even be taking public planes," Tyson said on an episode of his podcast Hotboxin '.
The former heavyweight champion said his wife, Lakiha Spencer, gets "mad" at him for taking public planes. Tyson admitted the whole situation is frustrating as he doesn't want to rely on a bodyguard watching over him
"My wife gets mad when I take public planes," he admitted. "What am I going to do on a f****** plane with my friends and [a bodyguard] he's supposed to watch me? A bodyguard and a f****** yes man. What am I gonna do on a plane?" It triggers me."
Stephen M. Wagstaffe, the District Attorney, who dismissed Tyson's charges said neither he or Mr Townsend wanted to proceed with the case. Tyson's three attorneys said of the settlement: "We thank San Mateo District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe, the San Mateo County Sheriff, and all law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation for their careful, diligent, and professional work.
"This situation could have been avoided simply by contacting the flight attendant. Our client denies throwing a water bottle prior to being struck by Mr Tyson."
Mr Townsend's attorney said his client got "overly excited" on the plane as he's a big fan of the boxer, stating: "Our client is a big Mike Tyson fan. When Mr Tyson boarded the plane, he became overly excited.
"At first, their interaction was cordial. At a certain point, Mr Tyson clearly became agitated by an overly excited fan and began to strike him in an excessive manner."
Reflecting on the plane row, Tyson recalled a situation when he tried to punch a member of the public during his rematch with Evander Holyfield. "The Holyfield fight, people were [throwing stuff]. I ran up to go [punch someone] I was running out to go. I ran up in the house trying to get this motherf****r," he said before admitting it's "100 per cent" a losing situation.
