Mike Tyson Sued for $25 Million, Why?

Mike Tyson Sued for $25 Million

By Ruth Manuel-Logan on Oct 19th 2010 2:13PM

Iron Mike Tyson is in yet another legal bind. This time he is being sued for $25 million in damages by a photographer who claims he was beaten up by Tyson last November.

Paparazzo Antonio Echevarria filed his suit with the Los Angeles Superior Court. The shutterbug claimed that Tyson not only beat him up but threatened to kill him at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) last year.

Tyson was passing through LAX on his way to Las Vegas, after a European trip. There were several well-known photographers snapping away, stumbling over themselves to catch a snapshot of the boxer. Echevarria contends that while he, too, tried to get his photo-op with Tyson, the ex-heavyweight champ began to pummel him.

The celeb photographer alleges that he received serious injuries, with sustained blows to his neck, spine, face, brain and other bodily parts, that have compromised his health.

After the alleged fisticuffs, the two men filed citizen’s arrest against each other. Tyson was taken in to custody and booked on a misdemeanor battery, while Echevarria was transported to a nearby hospital.

According to a statement that was released by Tyson’s attorney Shawn Chapman Holley, while aggressively trying to snap pictures of the boxer who was accompanied by his wife, mother-in-law and baby, Echevarria gruffly collided with Tyson’s 10-month-old daughter’s (pictured above) stroller. He also consistently ignored the orders of airport security to leave Tyson and his family alone.

Holley released the following statement at the time of the airport incident:

“There are numerous witnesses to the paparazzo’s provocative and unlawful conduct which culminated in his assault on Mr. Tyson and Mr. Tyson’s responsive act in defense of his family. Mr. Tyson cooperated with law enforcement authorities and demanded that a citizen’s arrest be made against the paparazzo.”

Tyson, who says he was appointed the boxing ambassador to China, is still reportedly in negotiations with the country and had better keep his fingers crossed that the job’s salary is a biggie!