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Tyson faces possible ban
LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Mike Tyson's boxing licence could be revoked, "never to return," at a penalty hearing today that could keep him out of the sport indefinitely for biting Evander Holyfield's ears.Tyson might walk away from the hearing with no boxing licence and no idea when he will be allowed to fight again if Nevada boxing officials follow a recommendation from prosecutors.
A quirk in Nevada law and the desire by boxing regulators to fine Tyson the maximum allowed means his licence could be revoked for good instead of simply being suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Tyson would be able to reapply after a year, and once a year after that, but there is no guarantee he would ever get the licence back.
"The licence will be gone forever, never to return," said Joe Rolston, the deputy attorney general prosecuting Tyson. "The only way Mr. Tyson can get it back is to reapply every year and the commission will have to decide at that point."
Other states would be required by a new federal law to honor Nevada's revocation, meaning the profession that has made Tyson $140 million during the last two years could be in jeopardy.
"It's a very important decision and one each commissioner has to look to themselves to make," commission member Dr. James Nave said. "Suspension is suspension. Revocation is permanent."
Tyson is expected to personally plead for his boxing career when the commission meets in a packed city hall council chambers.
"I only ask that this not be a lifetime ban," he said last week.
The proceeding could take less time than the fight itself, which lasted three rounds, or could drag on for a few hours, depending on how Tyson's attorneys handle his defence. Commission members limited television coverage to a single pool feed and issued media credentials in an effort to control the meeting.
"I guarantee you it will not be a circus," commission chairman Dr. Elias Ghanem said. "I will not allow it."
Holyfield, now touring South Africa, said earlier that a year's ban from boxing wouldn't be enough for the bites Tyson inflicted on him in the richest fight in history.
"Most boxers only fight one time a year," Holyfield said. "He (Tyson) probably needs a year off to get himself better anyway. He probably needs the rest. The penalty is probably going to have to be a little more extensive than that."
Tyson is not legally required to appear, but Rolston said he expected Tyson would show up to try to convince commissioners not to revoke his licence.
"I have every reason to believe he probably will be attending," Rolston said. "Even if he pleads guilty we'll still have a few questions to ask him. And if he decides to defend himself on the charges, we'll put him on the stand and he will be subjected to numerous questions."
Tyson has already admitted biting Holyfield's ears before being disqualified June 28 during their WBA heavyweight title fight.
The commission basically has two options: Suspend Tyson for up to five years and fine him a legal maximum of $250,000, or revoke his boxing licence -- a move that allows a maximum fine of $3 million.