As everyone I am sure knows, Mike Tyson was arrested yet again. This time he was in the airport, and he supposedly clocked a photographer because he's iron Mike. He claims he was defending his family, and both he and photographer are pressing charges against each other.

I was there in 1995 at the headquarters of the Islamic Society of North America, when Mike was released and he stopped by to offer prayers and move on to his new life. The masses of media that came that day included hundreds of reporters, at least 3 or 4 helicopters, etc.

I saw very clearly the aggressiveness of the paparazzi then, when we stood up to pray and many of them stepped in to the sacred prayer to fake praying to try to get the picture. During the prayer, when we got up from prostration, one turned and took a flash picture, disturbing all those around him. After the prayer, I think everyone pointed him out, and the body guard graciously took him outside.

So when I read this most recent tragic episode in iron Mike's life, in a sense I feel its not unexpected for him to lose his cool. In another sense though, I feel sympathy at the obvious frustration he and other celebrities have with the aggressive antics of the paparazzi. It could be argued that not only what he did was in self defense, it was truly justified, as the paparazzi begged for it or instigated it.

Surprisingly coming to his defense is iron Mike's victim of "eargate", Evander the real deal Holyfield. I must say, I have to applaud Evander for his commentary. Mike, after losing the only real sincere and positive influence in his life, his trainer Cus D'Amato, went to prison, and turned to Islam to right his ways. As Evander says it, the media insisted on prodding and kicking Mike until he returned to his old uncontrolled ways. They couldn't leave him be.

http://boxing.fanhouse.com/2009/11/13/evander-holyfield-rightfully-swings-to-mike-tysons-defense/

Obviously, Mike, like all of us, has his vices and his demons. And like every one of us, he has to fight hard internally to control his demons. I pray for his strength to overcome this pitfall and others that befall him, for a serene and peaceful future to his life, and for him to become a positive contributor to humanity.