Barkley Jailed for 3 Hours After Postgame Fistfight

MILWAUKEE â€”  Charles Barkley, Philadelphia 76er forward, was arrested at his hotel room Sunday morning after breaking a man’s nose during a fight after a game with the Milwaukee Bucks, police said.

Barkley was released from Milwaukee County jail shortly after 10 a.m. CST Sunday on a $500 cash bond.

Barkley, who was arrested for battery, is scheduled to appear Tuesday morning before the district attorney, at which time the charge will be reviewed, Capt. Joseph Purpero said. Barkley may send an attorney to represent him.

Barkley allegedly broke the nose of a 25-year-old Milwaukee man during a fight in a downtown parking lot at about 2:30 a.m., police said. The man, identified as James R. McCarthy, a student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, also sustained cuts to his forehead, and was treated and released at a Milwaukee hospital. Barkley was arrested at his hotel room shortly before 7 a.m.

According to police, Barkley and a woman were leaving a downtown tavern when McCarthy called out to him, “Charles, I hear you’re one of the baddest dudes in the NBA.�

Barkley told police that McCarthy and three of McCarthy’s companions then approached him and McCarthy raised his fist saying, “You’re so tough on the court. Show me how tough you are.�

Barkley then punched McCarthy once in the face with his left fist, police said. Two bouncers from a nearby tavern intervened and took Barkley to his companion’s car, and she drove him back to his downtown hotel, police said.

The 76ers lost to the Milwaukee Bucks Saturday night, 110-97.