London, Nov 12 Boxing legend Mike Tyson, who became the youngest heavyweight world champion at the age of 20, has been detained on suspicion of battery after an alleged altercation with a photographer at Los Angeles International Airport, according to the police.

Tyson's spokeswoman Tammy Brook said the boxer was travelling with his wife and 10-month-old child on Wednesday afternoon when he was attacked by overly aggressive paparazzi.

The Sun quoted Brook as saying that Tyson acted in self-defence to protect his child.

An airport police spokesman said the incident happened at a United Airlines ticket counter and that the photographer accused Tyson of hitting him.

The photographer fell to the ground and cut his forehead. He is being treated at a hospital.

He added both Tyson and the photographer want to press charges for misdemeanour battery. (ANI)