Mike Tyson was filmed assaulting a man on a JetBlue flight in April 2022.
Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson may have to pay a whopping £350,000 (more than Rs 3 billion) in compensation to a man he repeatedly punched on a plane last year. In April 2022, Tyson was filmed assaulting passenger Melvin Townsend on a JetBlue flight departing from San Francisco. Footage showed the 57-year-old man slumped over the back of his seat and repeatedly punched the man, who appeared to be walking away. There were bruises and some bleeding after the incident. At the time, Tyson’s representatives said the passenger was aggressive. He also claimed that the former boxing champion lost his temper because the passenger “did not stop provoking” him.
Now, a year on from the incident, Melvin Townsend is seeking £350,000 in damages for the huge medical bills he incurred following the incident.according to TMZ, a letter from Mr. Townsend’s legal representatives alleges that his client experienced pain in his head and neck, loss of consciousness, concussion, and head contusion. The man also reportedly suffered from nausea, headaches, depression, memory problems, sleep disorders, mood disorders, dizziness and vision problems as a result of the violence.
According to the newspaper, Townsend claimed that he had to pay a large amount of money because he did not have medical insurance at the time of the incident. He is reportedly still receiving treatment for his stomach and is seeing a neurologist, psychologist and back pain specialist.
Mr Townsend’s legal representatives have now written to Mr Tyson’s representatives outlining their demands. He has also threatened to sue if an agreement is not reached.
However, Tyson’s attorney rejected the settlement request, saying, “One year ago, we received a shakedown letter relating to the harassment of Mike by an instigator and the subsequent fallout.” “There is no shakedown payment,” he said.
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Remarkably, Tyson has not faced criminal charges for punching Mr. Townsend on the plane. In 2022, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaff said there would be no charges because the former combatant was provoked by Townsend before the incident.
Meanwhile, the former heavyweight boxing champion admitted he regretted the incident, claiming he was “frustrated and high.” “That’s not me!” he joked when asked about the incident on Jimmy Kimmel’s show.
