Passenger in an airplane beaten by the heavyweight champion Mike Tyson

File photo shows heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. (Reuters)

Authorities were conducting an investigation Thursday after former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was seen hitting another passenger aboard a plane at San Francisco International Airport.

Tyson is seen on CCTV repeatedly pounding the unidentified man in the head, gushing blood. The video was initially released by TMZ, which stated that it was captured on a Jet Blue flight going to Florida.

"Unfortunately, Mr. Tyson encountered an aggressive passenger on a flight who began harassing him and hurling a water bottle at him while he was seated," reps for Tyson wrote in an email to The Associated Press.

Before the physical altercation, the man can be seen standing over Tyson's seat, swinging his arms and conversing animatedly while the former boxer sits peacefully.

Officials said San Francisco police responded at 10:00 p.m. Wednesday to a "physical altercation" on a plane at the airport's domestic terminal.

"Officers responded and apprehended two individuals thought to be engaged in the incident. One individual received non-life-threatening injuries at the scene. This person supplied scant facts about the occurrence and refused to participate with the police inquiry further," police said in a statement Thursday.

Both have been released pending further inquiry, according to the statement.

The video was shared with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, which has jurisdiction over the airport, according to San Francisco police.

Sheriff's authorities stated that "we are not disclosing information about the incident at this time due to the ongoing investigation."

JetBlue did not immediately reply to a request for additional information.

Since he stopped fighting, Tyson, 55, has worked as an actor, podcaster, and cannabis entrepreneur.

In 1987, at the age of 20, he became the world's youngest heavyweight champion. He won 50 fights, 44 of them via knockout.

Tyson served three years in prison in the 1990s after being convicted of rape. In that case, he has maintained his innocence.

Publish : 2022-04-22 12:32:00

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