Tyson smashes television camera

Press, 23 September 1988, Page 48

Tyson smashes television camera

NZPA-Reuter New York The world heavyweight boxing champion, Mike Tyson, smashed a television crew’s camera yesterday on his first day home from a trip to Moscow.

Tyson, accused by a New York newspaper of being suicidal and a wife beater, was jogging outside his house in Bernardsville, New Jersey, when the crew tried to shout out a question to him. He responding by throwing his walkman radio which hit the camera. “Tyson (then) grabbed the camera, threw it on the ground and said words to the effect of leave me alone,” said the W.N.B.C. television station managing editor, Mike Callahan. Neither Tyson, his manager Bill Cayton nor his public relations firm could be reached for comment on the incident. The champion returned from Moscow on Wednesday evening where he had accompanied his actress wife, Robin Givens, who was there shooting two episodes of her American TV comedy “Head of the Class.” Meanwhile, the New York City police used a stun gun early yesterday to subdue boxer Mitch “Blood” Green. The police arrested Green after a woman complained of the boxer’s behaviour in Harlem Street. He was charged

with disorderly conduct and was being held in custody. “He was acting in an irrational manner and had to be subdued by the E.S.U. (Emergency Services Unit),” a police spokesman said. The spokesman said the ” police used a Taser — a stun gun that fires a projectile to administer an electrical shock — to subdue Green. Green is six feet five inches (1.96 m tall and weighs more than 200 pounds (90 kg). He earned the nickname “Blood” for the street-, brawling style he brought

to the boxing ring. The police declined to be more specific over Green’s “irrational behaviour,” but local radio reports said the fighter was incensed over a woman’s remark about his brawl with Tyson. In the August 23 incident, Green, aged 31, said Tyson “popped him” during an argument outside a club in Harlem. Green, who lost a 10-round 1986 non-title bout to Tyson, told the police he needed five stitches over his eye. Tyson suffered a hairline fracture of the right hand in the street fight, saying Green attacked him outside an all-night clothing store for no apparent reason. Meanwhile the World Boxing Council has announced its heavyweight rankings for September. Champion.— Mike Tyson (U.S.). 1, Frank Bruno (Britain). 2, Adilson Rodrigues (Brazil). 3, Carl Williams (U.S.), 4, Jose Ribalta (U.S.). 5, James Douglas (U.S.). 6, Razor Ruddock (Canada). 7, Tony Tubbs (U.S.). 8, Trevor Berbick (Canada). 9, Orlin Norris (U.S.). 10, Michael Dokes (U.S.).