The interaction started innocently enough. A fan approached the mic and asked Tyson if he remembered him, mentioning he was from Northtown, Las Vegas. Tyson responded casually, saying, "That's my hangout," to which the fan echoed the same phrase.
Things took a turn when the fan pressed Tyson about the previous autograph incident, asking, "Why didn't you respect me that day when I asked you for [an] autograph?"
Tyson's mood quickly changed. He replied irritably:
"Huh? Cuz I'm chilling out. When I'm in my hometown, I don't want nobody f***ing with me. N***a, you're lucky I didn't beat your a**"
Sensing the rising tension, Shaq tried to change the subject, saying "Alright, next question." The fan, perhaps realizing he'd struck a nerve, redirected his question to Shaq about the possibility of a basketball team in Nevada.
Tyson, now calmer, chimed in, "We're going to get one, dude."
This incident isn't isolated. In April 2022, Tyson got into an altercation on a JetBlue flight with a passenger named Melvin George Townsend III. Tyson punched Townsend repeatedly after the man allegedly bothered him and threw a water bottle. While no criminal charges were filed, Townsend launched a civil lawsuit in 2024, claiming assault and emotional distress.
Reflecting on public incidents on his Hotboxin' podcast, Tyson once said, "I shouldn't even be taking public planes," acknowledging that certain situations can trigger him.
Even at 59, Tyson still commands fear and respect. His fighter mentality surfaces when provoked, showing that even in 2025, messing with Mike Tyson remains a risky proposition.