Mike Tyson’s tough-guy reputation was on full display during a recent episode of The Big Podcast with Shaquille O’Neal, where a fan’s bold question nearly sparked a full-blown confrontation. The 59-year-old boxing icon had joined Shaq for a casual chat, but the mood quickly turned when the show opened up to fan questions.
A man in gold chains approached the mic and boldly asked Tyson, “You don’t remember me, do you?” He claimed to be from Northtown, a neighborhood on the west side of Las Vegas. Tyson responded, “That’s my hangout,” only for the fan to reply, “That’s my hangout.” But things took a sharp turn when the man continued, “Why didn’t you respect me that day when I asked you for [an] autograph?”
Tyson’s mood flipped. “Huh? Cuz I’m chilling out,” he snapped. “When I’m in my hometown, I don’t want nobody f***ing with me.” Sensing trouble, Shaq tried to change the subject with, “Alright, next question.” But the fan didn’t back down. Tyson, clearly irritated, said: “N***a, you’re lucky I didn’t beat your a**,” as security moved the fan away.
Thankfully, the exchange ended peacefully. The man redirected his question to Shaq, asking about bringing a basketball team to Nevada. Tyson, now calmer, responded, “We’re going to get one, dude.”
A pattern of tense public encounters
This isn’t the first time Tyson has reacted strongly when provoked in public. In April 2022, Tyson was involved in a widely publicized altercation aboard a JetBlue flight. Fellow passenger Melvin George Townsend III, reportedly intoxicated, had been bothering Tyson throughout the flight-ignoring requests to stop and even throwing a water bottle at him.
Tyson responded by punching Townsend repeatedly, an incident caught on video. Despite the violent footage, no criminal charges were filed. Prosecutors noted both men didn’t want to pursue legal action. However, Townsend later filed a lawsuit in 2024, claiming assault and emotional distress.
Tyson later discussed the event on his Hotboxin’ podcast. “I shouldn’t even be taking public planes,” he admitted. “It triggers me.” His comments suggest a mix of regret and self-awareness about how quickly things can escalate when his personal boundaries are crossed.
Both the podcast moment and airplane incident show how Tyson, even decades removed from the ring, still commands fear and respect. But they also reveal something deeper: when pushed, the fighter in him is never far from the surface.
Messing with Mike Tyson, even in 2025, is still a dangerous game.
Read the full article here
