Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was arrested on a charge of misdemeanor battery after laying into a photographer at LAX last night who got a little too close for his comfort. Tyson was traveling with his 10-month-old daughter and his wife, and his representative claims that Tyson acted in defense against an “overly aggressive” photographer in order to protect his daughter after the photographer struck him in an apparent attempt to provoke him.

Per LA Times:

“Mike acted in self-defense as a father protecting his child,” said Tyson’s spokeswoman Tammy Brook.

The photographer claims that Tyson punched him in the face and tried to take his camera. Police arrested Tyson and photographer Tony Echevarria, who was also booked for misdemeanor battery after the incident. After Echevarria hit the ground, he got up and walked away leaving a trail of blood on the floor from a minor cut to the forehead. While Tyson was taken from the scene in a squad car, an ambulance was called for Echevarria, who was taken to a local hospital for treatment receiving 5 stitches. Both Tyson and Echevarria reportedly performed citizen’s arrests on eachother and want to press charges against each other, but there seems to be a lot of different versions of what happened.

“There’s a lot of different versions to the story,” Sgt. Jim Holcomb said.

Echeverria’s camera was booked as evidence and 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, with bail being set at $20,000. Both men were released without any restrictions and free to go wherever they want. Due to the incident, Tyson could be facing prison time if charges are filed because it would be a violation of his probation in Arizona. Tyson was arrested on felony cocaine possession and misdemeanor DUI charges there in 2007. He was given three years probation and per the terms of that probation, could not violate any laws. If charges are filed against Tyson, he could be looking towards at least 2-and-a-half years in State Prison.

If everything is confirmed, this will be Tyson’s 45th victory by knockout. Echevarria got off easy. He may have gotten a cut to the forehead, but at least he didn’t get his ear bitten off.

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Images Via: wenn.com