Hotel brawl: Tyson pleads not guilty

Mike Tyson today pleaded not guilty to charges resulting from a fight at a Brooklyn hotel, and lawyers said the former heavyweight champion was provoked by the two men he allegedly attacked.

One of the men told Tyson, “You’ve got fists, we’ve got guns,” lawyers on both sides said at the hearing in Brooklyn criminal court.

But prosecutors also said they have a security videotape that shows Tyson responding to the taunts by hunting down the unarmed men and punching them.

“His subsequent actions went well beyond what is permitted by law,” said prosecutor John 0’Mare.

Tyson pleaded not guilty to assault, harassment and disorderly conduct charges. If convicted, he faces up to a year in prison.

The boxer refused to speak to reporters as he left the court. Some bystanders cheered before he was driven off.

Defence solicitor Mel Sachs had told state Supreme Court Justice John Carter his client’s actions were justified, given the threat of weapons.

“Mike Tyson was provoked,” he said. “His conduct was justifiable. In fact, he showed restraint.”