MIKE TYSON could have to pay out £350,000 to a man he is alleged to have assaulted on a plane last year.
The former heavyweight champion admitted he was in the wrong after reportedly punching the victim after he annoyed him on a flight departing from San Francisco, USA.
Melvin Townsend is demanding £350,000 in damages after incurring hefty medical costs after being attacked by Tyson after asking the former boxer for a photo.
A letter from Townsend’s legal representatives claims their client experienced pain in his head and neck as well as a loss of consciousness, concussion, and contusion on the head.
He also allegedly suffered nausea, headaches, depression, memory issues, sleep issues, mood disturbances, vertigo, and compromised vision in the wake of the violent incident.
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Townsend was without medical insurance at the time of the incident so he claims he has had to pay out significant costs - he is still receiving treatment on his stomach and is visiting neurologist, a psychologist and a back pain specialist.
His lawyer Jake Jondle has now written a letter to Tyson's representatives outlining their demands, and threatened a lawsuit if an agreement cannot be reached.
The letter reads: "If we are unable to reach an agreement, we will continue to prepare Mr. Townsend's case for the filing of a lawsuit."
It continues: "There is no need for a lengthy summary of the events at issue – video of Mr. Tyson repeatedly punching Mr. Townsend is widely available on the Internet. In short, it is our position that Mr. Townsend was excited to see your client on the flight, began discussing the marijuana industry and psychedelic mushrooms with him, and Mr. Tyson became annoyed.
"Mr. Tyson then reached over the seat, grabbed Mr. Townsend by the shirt collar, and proceeded to repeatedly punch him in the head."
Tyson's lawyer Alex Spiro rejected the call for a settlement, stating: "I have received a shakedown letter related to some instigator's harassment of Mike a year ago and the aftermath.
"There will be no shakedown payment."
Townsend suffered cuts to his forehead with Tyson alleging a bottle was thrown at him.
But the 57-year-old showed remorse when discussing the incident, saying: "Hey listen, I'm usually good at these things. I was wrong, that should've never happened.
"That's me back in my primitive child stages, I shouldn't of done that, but I was just irritated, tired, high, and pissed off. S*** happens."
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