Mike Tyson: The Guy He Punched Has A Criminal Record
(Photo by JC Olivera/Getty Images)
Yesterday, Mike Tyson made headlines when he was caught on film punching an especially annoying fellow passenger on a JetBlue flight. Today, gossip web site TMZ reports that the passenger’s name is Melvin Townsend III, and that he has a bit of a rap sheet, including arrests for fraud, grand theft, burglary, possession of control substances, and trafficking in stolen property. In the video, Townsend, 36, appeared to be repeatedly annoying Tyson — Tyson’s team said he also threw a bottle at the retired boxer — before Tyson snapped and punched the guy repeatedly, leaving him a bit bloodied.
Apparently, both got off the plane before takeoff, and were questioned by the police and Townsend declined to press charges.
Brian has been working in pop culture and media for about three decades: he’s worked at MTV, VH1, SiriusXM, CBS and Loudwire. Besides working as a writer and an editor-in-chief, he’s also appeared on air as a pundit, guested on radio shows and hosted podcasts. Over the years, he’s interviewed the surviving members of Led Zeppelin, the members of U2, Beyonce, Pink, Usher, Stevie Nicks, Lorde… and is grateful to have had the chance to interview Joe Strummer of the Clash and Tom Petty.