BYRON Bay yesterday called on fishing guru Rex Hunt to "put up or shut up" as a teen involved in the alleged attack on the personality said he and his friends were not the aggressors.
The youth, 16, alleged Hunt's son, Matthew, had abused them and threw the first punch in the brawl that prompted Rex Hunt to describe the northern NSW town as more dangerous than Bali.
The teenager's defence came as Byron's mayor and residents questioned why the Hunts had not pressed charges and said Mr Hunt's comments had defamed their town.
One of the teenagers involved claimed yesterday he and his friends were just walking down the street when Matthew Hunt told them to "f--- off".
"We said, 'What's your problem? We're just cruising'," said the youth, who did not want to be named.
"There was a verbal exchange and Matthew Hunt threw the first punch. It's been blown out of all proportion.
"There was only four of us, not 15, and two of my mates were injured.
