Boxing legend Mike Tyson was embroiled in controversy on Thursday when video surfaced of him punching a man who was agitating him on an airplane.
Tyson was taking a Jet Blue flight from San Francisco to Florida on Wednesday (conveniently 4/20), when a fellow passenger reportedly harassed him for several minutes. The actions elicited a response from “Iron Mike,” who turned around and threw several punches and bloodied the man.
According to Tyson’s representatives, who issued a statement to USA TODAY Sports, the incident caught on video was essentially exactly what it appeared to be.
“Unfortunately, Mr. Tyson had an incident on a flight with an aggressive passenger who began harassing him and threw a water bottle at him while he was in his seat,” the statement read.
The police also issued comment.
“On Wednesday April 20, 2022, at approximately 10:06 p.m., San Francisco Police officers assigned to the SFPD Airport Bureau were dispatched to a physical altercation onboard an airplane located at the Domestic Terminal of the San Francisco International Airport,” the San Francisco Police Department said in a statement. “Officers arrived and detained two subjects that were believed to be involved in the incident. One subject was treated at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries. That subject provided minimal details of the incident and refused to cooperate further with the police investigation. Both subjects were released … pending further investigation.
“The SFPD is aware of video that possibly captured the incident, which surfaced following the initial investigation. That video has been forwarded to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.”
The video sparked quite the commotion within the combat sports world. Several figures, from UFC president Dana White to many notable fighter sand personalities, shared their thoughts.
Check out the social media reactions below.
USA TODAY Sports
A spokesperson representing Mike Tyson told USA TODAY Sports that a passenger on the plane harassed Tyson and “threw a water bottle at him while he was in his seat.” https://t.co/2D76z4vGDw
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) April 21, 2022
Kelvin Gastelum
Drunk, annoying and rude.
Pls don’t be like this guy folks.
I’ve been around Mike and he’s an extremely calm person these days.
This guy must’ve really brought it out of him. https://t.co/WHrKjswBUF— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) April 21, 2022
Arjan Bhullar
Don’t matter how many mushrooms…how much weed…how much DMT….Mike is still Mike. Buddy should’ve just taken a nap on his own https://t.co/MtKkVNwsLX
— Arjan Singh Bhullar (@TheOneASB) April 21, 2022
Jimi Manuwa
I wonder if anything will happen to Mike for that plane incident. Hope not
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) April 21, 2022
Terrance McKinney
If y’all see a fighter out and about don’t taunt them or annoy them. All you’re doin is clout chasing for social media or tryna get a lawsuit going. Leave them alone unless it’s all positive. Let them live #miketyson
— Terrance ‘T Wrecks’ McKinney (@twrecks155) April 21, 2022
Josh Barnett
Just a light thrashing for being an absolutely disrespectful & annoying prick. Tyson could have really hurt him bad if he had intended to.
But hopefully this guy will rethink how he acts to others & in public. In my opinion, this is the simplest & best outcome.
Act right. https://t.co/cSxRrIfRP9
— 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖒𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 (@JoshLBarnett) April 21, 2022
This is the saddest thing about this whole incident by far.
The uber-legalistic society creates people that do any & everything “within the law” to harass/attack knowing they haven’t broken the law & your only recourse is more law & legalese when they should be smacked. https://t.co/khVv0iuI1J
— 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖒𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 (@JoshLBarnett) April 21, 2022
Shayna Baszler
If people were allowed to smack people upside the head when they deserved it more often, the world would be a better place. https://t.co/CMKuzqVgYC
— Shayna Baszler (@QoSBaszler) April 21, 2022
Paul Redmond
Wtf in God’s name did a man antagonising one of the baddest men on planet earth think was going to happen??
You push someone hard enough they’re gonna react.
Mike Tyson the man 💯
— Paul Redmond (@RedserMma) April 21, 2022
Nik Lentz
This #%^*in asshole relentlessly verbally attacks @MikeTyson on a airplane and catches an ass whopping.
That’s how it should be! Screw that guy. Lucky he only got smacked a few times!
— Nik “The Carny” Lentz (@NikLentz) April 21, 2022
Billy Quarantillo
Out here just raw doggin some airport air, taste like freedom 😬… Also that guy in the Tyson video deff deserved it 💯 🤷🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/DIwWRhtJ4v
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) April 21, 2022
Jake Paul
If you’re being heckled in public like Mike Tyson was you should legally get a hall pass to beat someone’s ass.
This generation thinks they can get away with anything.
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) April 21, 2022
Roque Martinez
Why does his quote fit so perfectly with this video:
“Social media made y’all way too comfortable with disrespecting people and not getting punched in the face for it.” ~ Mike Tyson https://t.co/eKtXahOd7V
— Roque Martinez (@RoqueMartinez86) April 21, 2022
Georgi Karakhanyan
Never tap on a bald man’s head
— Georgi Karakhanyan 🥩 (@georgimma) April 22, 2022
Mike Goddard
Oh really? In what world do you live? Im not condoning & im not condemning. But I think you’ll find that’s EXACTLY how society “can” work and it might be a darn better place for it. Act a disregarding disrespectful fool & you “may” face a differing consequence than a stern word! https://t.co/RbHlsTs3eI
— Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) April 21, 2022
Jessica Eye
You cant Antagonize person especially a fighter and then get mad when you get a reaction. https://t.co/QhYPSxEQgr
— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) April 21, 2022
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