Tyson Gets Into Scuffle at Airport
Posted Nov 11, 2009 9:11 PM
 By RAQUEL MARIA DILLON
(AP)
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LOS ANGELES (Nov. 11) -- Police are investigating conflicting accounts of an airport scuffle between Mike Tyson and a photographer that resulted in both men being booked and released on suspicion of misdemeanor battery.
The former heavyweight boxing champion and photographer Tony Echevarria, 50, want to press charges of misdemeanor battery against each other, police said.
The photographer told police that Tyson struck him once, airport police spokesman Sgt. Jim Holcomb said. The photographer fell to the ground and was treated for a cut to his forehead at a hospital.
Tyson's spokeswoman Tammy Brook said the boxer was traveling with his wife and 10-month-old child when he was attacked by an overly aggressive paparazzo. "Mike acted in self defense as a father protecting his child," she said.
"There's a lot of different versions to this story and that's all going to come out later," Holcomb said. "Some witness statements support Tyson's version, others support the photographer's."
Police also were checking if there was any surveillance video of the incident.
Tyson was cooperative as he waited in a holding cell at the airport police station, Holcomb said. Echevarria was booked and released after he was treated at a hospital, police said.
Holcomb said both men were released without any restrictions and free to go wherever they want. It wasn't immediately clear if Tyson had continued his trip.
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Paparazzi often camp out at Los Angeles' largest airport to get shots of celebrities in transit.
"I've heard people were following him into the men's room and trying to take his picture there," said Tyson's defense attorney, David Chesnoff. "My advice to him is going to be to vigorously press charges against what everyone agrees are ridiculously aggressive photographers."
Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion ever in 1986 when he won his title as a 20-year-old. But his life since then has been marred by accusations of domestic violence, rape and cocaine use.
Tyson was convicted of rape in Indiana in 1992 and served three years in prison. He was disqualified from a 1997 heavyweight title fight when he bit off part of Evander Holyfield's right ear, and in 1999 he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor assault charges in Maryland.
In 2003, Tyson filed for Chapter 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. He served 24 hours in an Arizona jail in 2007 after pleading guilty to cocaine possession and driving under the influence.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2009-11-11 21:58:40

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COMMENTS ( 202 )
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Goldenroberson84
3:30AM Nov 13 2009 
i think that comment was really offensive comparing a black man to a animal humm
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JLJLJLE
11:14PM Nov 12 2009 
The media photo's attached to this article tell the story. Multiple vans of Television News crews waiting outside of a police station in hopes of a interview, or at least some film? This is not news, however, when we have so many news outlets running multiple hours in the morning, an hour at lunch, and two-plus hours in the evening, or 24 hours per day, they have to fill that time with something. I fear the news media no longer provides unbiased reporting on legitimate stories, rather, they now manufacture stories and pump sensationalism for market share in a period of decline. PLUS, it is always a good day when a paparazzi get's pushed back for pushing. Way to go Mike!
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Nwe2000
4:37PM Nov 12 2009 
Leave the dumb animal alone. Who cares about him? He is all brawn with no brains.
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buyasafe2
2:07PM Nov 12 2009 
Nice going Iron Mike. What no one needs is PAPPA RAT ZEES shadowing their every move.
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buyasafe2
2:07PM Nov 12 2009 
Nice going Iron Mike. What no one needs is PAPPA RAT ZEES shadowing their every move.
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buyasafe2
2:07PM Nov 12 2009 
Nice going Iron Mike. What no one needs is PAPPA RAT ZEES shadowing their every move.
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Ironcyde
1:58PM Nov 12 2009 
Side w/ Mike on this one..... this parastic photographer w/ literally nothing better to do than harass the wrong person, got what he needed..... way to go Mike !
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Mesadave
1:50PM Nov 12 2009 
He got in Iron Mike's face, and got bitch slapped. I liked how these stalkerazzi's swarmed Briney Spears and the headline was that she caused a ruckus at LAX. She didn't cause it, these vermin that follow celebs around do. The airport should enforce the tresspassing law. If you are not going somewhere or picking someone up, you are loitering.
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Coadyiamf
1:39PM Nov 12 2009 
the reporter asked for it, well done tyson
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Lodgingbyregion
1:33PM Nov 12 2009 
Gave him a little love tap, If he hit him Iron Mike style, this fool would be taking pictures from 6 feet under.
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