Boxing legend Mike Tyson is speaking out for the first time since he was caught on video allegedly punching another passenger on a flight out of San Francisco last month.
TMZ released a video that appeared to show Tyson punching the passenger, identified as Melvin Townsend, who was seated a row behind him at San Francisco International Airport. According to the report, Townsend continued to badger Tyson after he told him to “chill.”
“He was f—— with me, man,” Tyson said on the Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson podcast that aired Thursday. “I took pictures with this n—-.”
“I shouldn’t even be taking public planes,” Tyson added. “My wife gets mad that I take public planes, but what am I gonna do on a f—— plane with my friends and [a bodyguard] he’s supposed to watch me?”
Tyson, 55, went on to describe other encounters outside the ring, which he said “triggers” him. When asked if those altercations were losing situations, Tyson stated, “Yes. Totally. 100%.”
A witness on the plane told the outlet that the former heavyweight champ was initially cordial to fans asking for photographs, but one man continued talking in Tyson’s ear, which appeared to irritate him before punches flew.
San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe declined to file charges against Tyson this month.
Just hours after the incident, Tyson was seen happily greeting fans as he arrived at his hotel in Miami. He was later seen with wrestling legend Ric Flair at LIV, a nightclub in the city.
Scroll down to leave a comment and share your thoughts.
