The man who Mike Tyson pummeled during a wild fight on a plane last year is now demanding the boxer pay him nearly half a million dollars to avoid a future lawsuit over the altercation.
But, the boxing legend’s attorney, Alex Spiro, is adamant the whole thing is “a shakedown” attempt … and insists absolutely no payment will be forthcoming.
A lawyer for Melvin Townsend — the punch victim — made the demands clear in a pre-litigation letter sent to Spiro earlier this week, according to the New York Post.
TMZSports.com
In the document, the lawyer — Jake Jondle — said Tyson could have used other remedies to diffuse the situation on the April 2022 JetBlue flight … but instead “he chose physical violence” and “viciously assaulted” Townsend.
Jondle explained as a result of the attack, Townsend sustained a “severe headache” as well as neck pain … and “is still suffering with the effects of the assault to this day.”
TMZSports.com
Jondle wrote in the document that $450,000 from Tyson would help Townsend cover his legal bills … as well as any future treatment Townsend would require.
According to Spiro, however, no such check will be written.
“I have received a shakedown letter related to some instigator’s harassment of Mike a year ago and the aftermath,” Spiro said in a statement. “There will be no shakedown payment.”
Reps for Tyson had previously told TMZ Sports the entire incident happened because Townsend threw a water bottle at the former pugilist and annoyed him repeatedly. Tyson himself later said on his “Hotboxin” podcast that Townsend “was f***ing with me” prior to the incident.
Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson
For Townsend’s part, Jondle said in his letter this week his client was simply “excited to see [Tyson] on the flight, began discussing the marijuana industry and psychedelic mushrooms with him, and Mr. Tyson became annoyed” and attacked.
Tyson’s been in the clear criminally, meanwhile, for over a year … as prosecutors declined to file charges against the ex-fighter in May 2022.
Play video content TMZ.com Julia Fox is vocalizing her support for Cassie in the wake… Read More
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media. Rena Sofer and Sanford Bookstaver are… Read More
Sarah Wayne Callies claims one of her male costars on "Prison Break" spat in her… Read More
Getty Images Adele is ready to be a mom again! The singer announced the news… Read More
Play video content CNN The chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court is gunning for… Read More
Getty Images On Thursday, Jelly Roll hit the red carpet at the 2024 ACM Awards,… Read More