Retired American boxer Mike Tyson, who was arrested for allegedly punching a photographer at the Los Angeles airport, has now been released.

The scuffle took place Wednesday. The 43-year-old was en route to Las Vegas when a celebrity photographer began taking his picture at the United Airlines terminal, contactmusic.com reports.

'The two men got into a scuffle and it's alleged that Tyson punched the photographer in the face, causing him to fall to the ground,' said Jim Holcomb, a policeman.

'The photographer sustained a laceration to the forehead and was taken to a local hospital,' he added.

While Tyson was taken to a police station, the photographer was admitted to a hospital for treatment to a forehead injury.

Tyson was reportedly travelling with his wife and 10-month-old child.

They were heading to Las Vegas. A spokeswoman for Tyson insists he acted in self-defence.

This is not the first time that the former boxing champion got into trouble. In July 1991, Tyson was arrested for raping 18-year-old Desiree Washington, Miss Black Rhode Island, in a hotel room.

Six years later he got in trouble again for biting Evander Holyfield on both of his ears during a boxing match.