CHATTER; Mike Tyson's Boxing License - The New York Times The New York Times N.Y. / Region |CHATTER; Mike Tyson's Boxing License Search CHATTER; Mike Tyson's Boxing License AUG. 16, 1998 Should Mike Tyson have had his license to fight in New Jersey approved by the state Athletic Control Board? A Concrete Thinker Why is it inappropriate to bite off an opponent's ear while boxing? This is a ''sport'' where the goal is to beat one's opponent into unconsciousness so that he falls to the floor, at which point the beater and his fans wait excitedly to see if the opponent is hurt severely enough to remain on the floor during the referee's count. Tyson has already been punished with jail for being a literal thinker. He does not and will never understand mixed messages, so don't punish him further. DORIS ROSE Whiting The Best Give Tyson his license. To me, boxing is synonymous with violence, and Mike Tyson is certainly as violent as they come. I abhor barbarity, but those who crave it may as well enjoy the top of the line.

AUDREY CORN Denville Fans Will Pay Regardless of whether Mike Tyson can fight, or even read for that matter, is of no concern to the promoters and fans of boxing. If enough enthusiasm is focused on his return to the ring, fans will be curious enough to watch the fight. Somehow everyone will make money except for the fans who pay $60 dollars or more to watch for three minutes of fist and fury. Advertisement Bronx, N.Y. Judge Him in the Ring Tyson has paid millions for his mistake. He should be allowed to fight again. Latrell Sprewell (the strangler) has not paid as much. Only in the ring can Tyson now be judged. MANUEL GARCIA Pittsburg, Calif. Emotional Instability No one seems to be speaking of emotional instability in the case of Mike Tyson. He said he bit the ear of the other fighter because the other fighter made him mad. Normal, healthy people, including boxers, do not react that way. This was only one of many examples he has given to us. Do we need to be 'burned' twice to learn the lesson?

KATHERINE PACHECO Elizabeth With the many stories about Mike Tyson's uncontrollable and sometimes violent behavior, it would have been very foolish for the state Athletic Control Board to give him a license to box in New Jersey. A sports figure often becomes the idol of youngsters. By giving Mr. Tyson a license to box in New Jersey, the state would be telling youngsters in an indirect way that these uncontrollable burts of anger are O.K. LAURA COBRINIK BOXING; Tyson Loses His Temper at His License Hearing - The New York Times The New York Times Sports |BOXING; Tyson Loses His Temper at His License Hearing Search BOXING; Tyson Loses His Temper at His License Hearing By TIMOTHY W. SMITH Continue reading the main story Mike Tyson, displaying the same loss of control that compelled him to bite off a piece of Evander Holyfield's ear and led to his banishment from boxing, testified today before the State Athletic Control Board to apply for the reinstatement of his New Jersey boxing license. Accompanied by two lawyers and a parade of character witnesses, Tyson made his case inside the hearing room at the Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex here.

But the efforts to portray him as a changed man who deserved the right to fight again may have been undercut by a moody appearance that ranged from a near-tearful apology to an angry outburst laced with an expletive. The board did not rule on Tyson's petition, delaying a decision until it could convene in a private session on Aug. 6. The final ruling could come two days later on Aug. 8, although the board has 45 days to render a decision. Tyson said he did not reapply for a license in Nevada, because he wanted to make a fresh start. But his adviser, Shelly Finkel, said Tyson might apply for a boxing license in other states in the future. Continue reading the main story Flanked by a gallery of reporters and friends, including his wife, Dr. Monica Tyson, and the boxer Larry Holmes, Tyson at first expressed remorse for biting Holyfield's ears in a heavyweight bout on June 28, 1997, an act that prompted Nevada to revoke his license.

But Tyson said he did it only after constant head butting from Holyfield made his ''head foggy and incoherent'' and that he became ''desperate, irate and I just snapped. Nothing really mattered.'' Advertisement Continue reading the main story At one point, Tyson seemed to choke back tears when talking about how his life had been irrevocably altered by the events on June 28. ''I'm sorry for what I did,'' Tyson said. ''It will haunt me for the rest of my life.'' When Michael Haas, an assistant Attorney General, asked Tyson if he thought he would ever commit a similar act if he were granted a New Jersey boxing license, Tyson said: ''I doubt it. My life has been devastated over this.'' Dr. Bertram Rotman, a Wayne, N.J., psychologist who evaluated Tyson for an hour on July 21, testified that he saw no reason why Tyson shouldn't get his license back, and Raymond A. Reddin, one of Tyson's lawyers, read a brief letter from Holyfield that said the fighter did not object to Tyson's getting a license from New Jersey.

Although he slumped forward on the table occasionally, Tyson patiently sat through the three-and-a-half- hour proceeding, and withstood a 43-minute questioning from Haas before he snapped. Most of Haas's questions centered around Tyson's 1992 conviction in Indiana for the rape of Desiree Washington and the biting incident with Holyfield. Tyson, who was dressed in a dark gray pin-striped suit and wearing a black T-shirt, twice complained of the cold temperature in the room. But following the questioning from Haas, Tyson reached a slow boil. When Haas asked him if he wanted to make a final statement, Tyson declined, saying he was too angry to do so. A few minutes later as one of his lawyers, Anthony J. Fusco Jr., was delivering an impassioned closing statement Tyson couldn't contain his anger. Please verify you're not a robot by clicking the box. Invalid email address. Please re-enter. You must select a newsletter to subscribe to. Sign Up Privacy Policy ''What he did was wrong,'' Fusco said.

''But how many times does one individual have to hear are you sorry for what you did?'' Tyson angrily interjected, agreeing with Fusco: ''You know what I mean, man? Why do I have to relive my . . . '' Just as Tyson uttered an expletive, Fusco reached over and stopped him and told the panel hearing the petition that Tyson was not angry at them, but was merely expressing the frustration that had built up in him during his exile from the ring. Later, in a hastily called news conference in the lobby of the Hughes Justice Complex, Tyson said he used the wrong choice of words when he told the panel that he was too angry to deliver a final statement in his own behalf. As for the outburst and the expletive, Tyson said: ''I never lost my cool. I was just expressing my hurt and frustration.'' Advertisement Continue reading the main story Today's public hearing, which drew a throng of fans and protesters from the New Jersey chapter of the National Organization for Women, attracted great news media interest, with television satellite broadcast trucks crowding the sidewalk outside the building and banks of television cameras corralled by wooden barricades inside.

The proceeding was broadcast live by ESPN, CNN-SI and Fox News Network. Larry Hazzard, New Jersey State boxing commissioner, said the board decided to hold a public hearing on Tyson's request because it wanted to avoid the appearance that Tyson was getting a back-room deal. If Tyson is allowed to return to boxing, it will be a boon to the casino economy in Atlantic City. Tyson hasn't held a New Jersey boxing license since 1991. His last bout in New Jersey came on Dec. 8, 1990, against Alex Stewart. Finkel said if Tyson gets his license back, his first bout would be in New Jersey. Under state commission rules and New Jersey law, Tyson has to provide ''clear and convincing evidence of good character, honesty, responsibility and integrity'' in order to get a New Jersey boxing license. There was a videotaped statement attesting to Tyson's honesty and good character from Camille Ewald, the 93-year-old woman who ran the house in Catskill, N.Y., where Cus D'Amato trained the young Tyson.

And there was an explanation from Chuck Wepner and Bobby Czyz as to why a boxer would do what Tyson did to Holyfield during a bout. Czyz, a television boxing analyst, described it as ''performance blackout.'' ''In a world title fight, if I hit an opponent and his eye fell out of his head, I'd eat it before he could pick it up and put it back in,'' Czyz said regarding the state of mind that boxers have during a title bout. ESPN.com: BOXING - Mike Tyson timeline Mike Tyson timeline ESPN.com news services A timeline surrounding the life and career of boxer Mike Tyson: 1978 -- Arrested for purse snatching as a 12-year-old in Brooklyn and sent to Tryon School for Boys. 1979 -- A boxing instructor at a New York State correction facility for boys brought Tyson to the attention of Cus D'Amato, who had guided Floyd Patterson to the heavyweight title. 1982 -- Expelled from Catskill High School for a series of transgressions. 1984 -- D'Amato becomes Tyson's legal guardian. Nov. 4, 1985 -- D'Amato dies of pneumonia.

March 6, 1985 -- In his professional debut, Tyson defeats Hector Mercedes in one round. Nov. 22, 1986 -- Tyson knocks out Trevor Berbick in the second round, winning the WBC heavyweight title to become the youngest heavyweight champion in history at age 20. March 3, 1987 -- Tyson defeats James "Bonecrusher" Smith at Las Vegas to win the WBA heavyweight title. May 30, 1987 -- Tyson knocks out Pinklon Thomas in the sixth round at Las Vegas to retain his WBA-WBC heavyweight titles. Aug. 1, 1987 -- Tyson decisions Tony Tucker to retain the WBA--WBC heavyweight titles and win the IBF heavyweight title. Oct. 16, 1987 -- Knocks out Tyrell Biggs in the seventh round in Atlantic City to retain the world heavyweight title. Jan. 22, 1988 -- Tyson knocks out Larry Holmes in the fourth round to retain the world heavyweight title. Feb. 9, 1988 -- Actress Robin Givens and Tyson are married in New York.

March 20, 1988 -- Tyson knocks out Tony Tubbs to retain the world heavyweight title. June 17, 1988 -- Givens and her family go public with tales of beatings by Tyson. June 27, 1988 -- Tyson sues manager Bill Cayton to break their contract, then knocks out Michael Spinks in 91 seconds to retain the world heavyweight title. July 27, 1988 -- Settles the Cayton suit out of court, reducing Cayton's managerial share from one-third to 20 percent of purses. Aug. 23, 1988 -- Breaks a bone in his right hand in a 4 a.m. street brawl with professional fighter Mitch Green in Harlem. Sept. 4, 1988 -- Tyson is knocked unconscious after driving his BMW into a tree. Three days later, the New York Daily News reports the accident was a "suicide attempt" caused by a "chemical imbalance" that made him violent and irrational. Sept.

30, 1988 -- Givens says in a nationally televised interview that Tyson is a manic-depressive and that she is afraid of him. Tyson sits meekly next to her. Oct. 7, 1988 -- Givens files for divorce. Oct. 14, 1988 -- Tyson countersues Givens for divorce and annulment. Oct. 26, 1988 -- Tyson becomes partners with Don King. Dec. 12, 1988 -- Sandra Miller of New York sues Tyson for allegedly grabbing her, propositioning her and insulting her at a nightclub. A jury later finds Tyson guilty of battery, fining him only $100. Dec. 15, 1988 -- Lori Davis of New York sues Tyson for allegedly grabbing her buttocks while she was dancing at the same nightclub on the same night as the incident with Miller. Feb. 14, 1989 -- Tyson and Givens are divorced in the Dominican Republic. Feb. 25, 1989 -- Tyson knocks out Frank Bruno to retain the world heavyweight title.

April 9, 1989 -- Accused of striking a parking attendant three times with an open hand outside a Los Angeles nightclub after the attendant asked Tyson to move his Mercedes--Benz out of a spot reserved for the club's owner. The charges are later dropped due to lack of witness cooperation. July 21, 1989 -- Tyson knocks out Carl "The Truth" Williams to retain the world heavyweight title. Feb. 11, 1990 -- In a stunning upset, Tyson is knocked out by James "Buster" Douglas in the 10th round and loses his world heavyweight title. Nov. 1, 1990 -- A New York City civil jury finds Tyson committed battery in the Sandra Miller case, but Miller is awarded just $100 in damages because the jury decides Tyson's behavior was "not outrageous." June 28, 1991 -- In what would be his last fight before his legal problems, Tyson defeats Razor Ruddock in 12 rounds. July 18, 1991 -- Tyson meets Desiree Washington, a Miss Black America contestant, at a pageant rehearsal.

They go to the boxer's hotel room in the early morning hours. July 22, 1991 -- Washington files a complaint with police accusing Tyson of rape. Sept. 9, 1991 -- A special grand jury indicts Tyson on rape and three other charges. Two days later, he is booked in Indianapolis and released on $30,000 cash bond. Feb. 10, 1992 -- After nine hours of deliberation, Tyson is found guilty on one count of rape and two counts of deviate sexual conduct. March 26, 1992 -- Superior Court Judge Patricia Gifford sentences Tyson to 10 years in prison, suspending four. She orders him to serve the term immediately. May 8, 1992 -- Tyson is found guilty of threatening a guard and disorderly conduct in prison, adding 15 days to his sentence. Oct. 28, 1992 -- Tyson's father, Jimmy Kirkpatrick, dies in Brooklyn, N.Y. Tyson does not ask for a leave to attend the funeral. Aug.

6, 1993 -- By a 2-1 vote, the Indiana Court of Appeals upholds Tyson's conviction. Sept. 2, 1993 -- The Indiana Supreme Court denies Tyson's appeal without comment. March 25, 1995 -- Tyson is released from the Indiana Youth Center near Plainfield, Ind. Aug. 19, 1995 -- Begins comeback with 89 seconds victory over Peter McNeeley in Las Vegas. Dec. 16, 1995 -- Knocks out Buster Mathis, Jr. in third round in Philadelphia. March 16, 1996 -- Knocks out Frank Bruno in third round to win the WBC heavyweight title in Las Vegas. Nov. 9, 1996 -- Loses to Evander Holyfield when referee Mitch Halpern stops the bout in the 11th round. June 28, 1997 -- Tyson is disqualified after the third round of his rematch with Holyfield after he bites Holyfield twice, once on each ear. Tyson claims he was retaliating for a head butt inflicted by Holyfield that opened up a gash above his right eye.

Referee Mills Lane ruled the butt was accidental. July 9, 1997 -- The Nevada State Athletic Commission, in a unanimous voice vote, revoked Mike Tyson's boxing license and fined him $3 million for biting Holyfield. Oct. 16, 1997 -- Ordered to pay boxer Mitch Green $ 45,000 even though a jury ruled the former heavyweight champion was provoked into a Harlem street fight in 1988. Oct. 29, 1997 -- Broke a rib and punctured a lung on his right side when his motorcycle skidded off a Connecticut highway after hitting a patch of sand. March 5, 1998 -- Filed a $100 million lawsuit in U.S. District Court in New York against Don King, accusing the promoter of cheating him out of tens of millions of dollars. March 9, 1998 -- Filed a lawsuit against former managers Rory Holloway and John Horne, claiming they betrayed him by arranging a deal that made King the former heavyweight champion's exclusive promoter.

March 9, 1998 -- Sherry Cole and Chevelle Butts filed a $22 million lawsuit against Tyson claiming he verbally and physically abused them March 1 at a Washington bistro them at a restaurant after his sexual advances toward one of them were spurned. July 16, 1998 -- The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated a $4.4 million award that a jury decided boxer Tyson owes former trainer Kevin Rooney for unjustly firing him. July 17, 1998 -- Applied for a boxing license in New Jersey. July 29, 1998 -- Appeared before the New Jersey Athletic Control Board to get a boxing license to resume his career. Tyson first choked back tears as he apologized for biting Evander Holyfield's ears. At the end of his 35-minute appearance, however, Tyson cursed in front of regulators after being continually questioned about biting Holyfield. Aug. 13, 1998 -- On the eve of a meeting of the New Jersey Athletic Control Board, Tyson's advisers abruptly withdrew his application for a New Jersey boxing license. Aug.

31, 1998 -- Was involved in a minor auto accident in Gaithersburg, Md., and had to be restrained by bodyguards from fighting the driver of the other car. Sept. 2, 1998 -- Richard Hardick filed an assault charge against Tyson. Hardick says he was kicked in the groin by Tyson after his car rear-ended a Mercedes driven by Tyson's wife, Monica, on Aug. 31. Sept. 3, 1998 -- Abmielec Saucedo filed a criminal assault against Tyson claiming Tyson punched him in the face as Saucedo talked with another driver following the accident of Aug. 31. Oct. 13, 1998 -- The psychiatric report of Tyson is released. According to doctors who examined him for five days, the report states Tyson is depressed and lacks self-esteem, but is mentally fit to return to boxing. The psychiatrists believe Tyson most likely won't "snap" again as he did when he bit Holyfield. Oct. 19, 1998 -- The Nevada Athletic Commission voted 4-1 to restore Tyson's boxing license, with the lone holdout commissioner James Nave. Dec.

1, 1998 -- Tyson pleads no contest to misdemeanor assault for kicking and punching two motorists involved in the Aug. 31 auto accident in Maryland. Jan. 16, 1999 -- Tyson knocked out Francois Botha in the fifth round. Tyson admitted to trying to break Botha's arm during the fight Feb. 5, 1999 -- Tyson was sentenced to two concurrent two-year sentences for assaulting two motorists after a traffic accident last summer. Judge Stephen Johnson suspended all but one year of jail time. Tyson was also fined $5,000 and sentenced to two years' probation after his release from jail. The decision could lead to more jail time for violating parole in Indiana. Feb. 20, 1999 -- Tyson was put in an isolation cell after a disturbance Saturday night at the Montgomery County Detention Center. Several TV stations in Washington reported that Tyson became upset, either in his cell or a break room, and threw a television set. The set narrowly missed jail guards, and there were no injuries. It was later reported that Tyson was taken off anti-depressants two days previous to this incident. Feb.

26, 1999 -- Tyson was allowed to step out of solitary confinement today and won back his privileges following an appeal of a disciplinary ruling, his lawyer said. Paul kemp said Tyson's punishment for throwing a television in a recreation room in jail on February 19 "was reduced to time served and he was restored to regular privileges." October 24, 1999 -- vs. Orlin Norris Tyson hit Norris after the bell in the 1st round and the fight was declared a no contest Dec. 10, 1999 -- Tyson won't have ferret neglect charges on his record. Authorities say they won't charge the former heavyweight champion with neglecting two ferrets at his Las Vegas home mostly because they don't know who was supposed to be taking care of the animals. Feb 8, 2000 -- Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson reached a settlement Monday with two women who alleged the boxer assaulted them at a restaurant in the nation's capital, The Washington Post reported in its Tuesday and Chevelle Butts, both 33, filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt.

They said they were in the Au Pied de Cochon restaurant in the city's Georgetown neighborhood on March, 1, 1998, when Tyson grabbed Cole and requested a sexual relationship. They alleged Tyson, who served time in an Indiana prison for a rape conviction, swore at Butts after learning she was a correctional officer. In papers filed by Tyson's lawyers, six witnesses said the boxer was verbally harassed by the women and was not abusive. Cole and Butts were seeking a total of $7.5 million in damages. Lawyers for both sides said they agreed to keep terms of the settlement confidential. May 19, 2000 -- American boxer Mike Tyson's lawyer said that his client is determined to clear his name following allegations that the boxer hit a stripper in a Las Vegas nightclub. The dancer, Victoria Bianco, has filed a report on the alleged incident with local police who are now investigating her claim, according to the BBC reports on Friday. Bianco claims the former world heavyweight champion punched her in the chest and hurled expletives at her in a club where she was working as a topless dancer.

Police were called to the scene, but after interviewing witnesses, including Tyson himself, they decided not to press charges. June 27, 2000 -- A former topless dancer is seeking unspecified damages from heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson in connection with a May incident in which she says the boxer struck her while she was at work. In a lawsuit filed Friday, Victoria Bianco said Tyson struck her in the chest without provocation at Cheetah's, a topless club near downtown Las Vegas. The lawsuit has not been brought to court yet (as of Jan. 23, 2002). June 24, 2000 -- vs. Lou Savarese. Tyson knocked the referee down in order to keep punching Savarese after the bout was stopped. August 22, 2000 -- Tyson was fined $187,500 for his behavior after his 38-second victory over Lou Savarese but escaped a ban from fighting again in Britain.

July 29, 2001 -- Heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson continued preparations for his next fight Sunday in Phoenix while authorities in California continued investigating an allegation that he sexually assaulted Arlene Moorman, 50, at his rented home in the small mountain town of Big Bear City. Tyson, a former world champion who served three years in prison for a 1992 rape, has not been charged in the alleged incident, although San Bernardino County sheriff's investigators have indicated they wanted to question the boxer in the near future. Aug. 18, 2001 -- California prosecutors have decided not to press charges against boxer Mike Tyson in connection with an alleged sexual assault on Arlene Moorman near Big Bear Lake. Dec. 18, 2001 -- Police were today investigating claims that Mike Tyson assaulted an ex--boxer outside a New York nightclub. Retired heavyweight Mitchell Rose has filed a complaint, claiming Tyson attacked him after he made a joke about the former champion's entourage of women. Police in New York are investigating the claims but have not yet interviewed Tyson, a convicted rapist, or pressed any charges following the alleged incident early on Sunday morning. Jan.

2, 2002 -- Mike Tyson checked out of a Havana hotel early Wednesday, a day after witnesses said he tossed glass Christmas ornaments at journalists trying to interview him. There were no reports of injuries, arrests or serious damage following the Tuesday evening dispute. The former heavyweight champion reportedly was headed to the airport for a flight on Air Jamaica after checking out at dawn, workers at the Hotel Melia Habana said. Jan. 22, 2002 -- Tyson and Lennox Lewis come to blows during their scheduled TV press conference hyping their April 6th meeting. It was alleged that Tyson bit Lennox's leg during the melee. Jan. 22, 20002 -- Police in Las Vegas said that they found evidence supporting a woman's claim she was raped by Tyson. The case is with the local district attorney's office, which will decide over the next weeks whether to charge Tyson. Jan. 29, 2002 -- In a 4-1 vote, the Nevada Athletic Commission on Tuesday rejected Tyson's request to get his Nevada boxing license back.

ESPN Tools Mike Tyson - BoxRec Mike Tyson Hall of Fame bio: click Name: Mike Tyson Birth Name: Michael Gerard Tyson Born: 1966-06-30 Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA Hometown: Henderson, Nevada, USA 4 of 6 amateur losses were classed as controversial decisions 1981 United States Junior Olympic Heavyweight Champion. Results: Jesus Esparza - RSC 1 1981 Ernie Bennett - L 3 1982 United States Junior Olympic Heavyweight Champion. Results: Tito Llanes - RSC 1 Al Evans - L RSC 3 1983 National Golden Gloves Heavyweight Finalist. Results: Ronald Williams - RSC 1 Kimmuel Odum - L DQ 2 1983 Ohio State Fair Heavyweight Champion. Results: 1983 United States Under-19 Heavyweight Champion, defeating Mark Scott by RSC 1 1984 United States Under-19 Heavyweight Champion, defeating Orbit Pough by KO 1 1984 National Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion.

Results: 1984 United States Olympic Trials Heavyweight Finalist. Results: Kelton Brown - KO 1 1984 United States Olympic Box-Offs. Results: Olian Alexander - W 3 Haakan Brock (Sweden) - W 3 (5-0) Preceded by: Tyson wearing the WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight title belts. Tyson vs. Trevor Berbick Has a record of 12-4 (10 KO) in world title fights. Has a record of 3-2 (3 KO) in lineal title fights. Has a record of 11-4-0-1 (9 KO) against former or current world titlists: No Contest against Orlin Norris . Has a record of 3-4 (3 KO) against former or current lineal titlists: Lost against James Douglas , Evander Holyfield (twice), and Lennox Lewis . Has a record of 7-0 (6 KO) against undefeated boxers: Lost against Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield (twice). Has a record of 4-1 (4 KO) in fights outside his native United States.

Year-By-Year Record 1992-1994: Did not fight (served prison sentence) 1995: 2(1)-0 1998: Did not fight (boxing license suspended) 1999: 1(1)-0-0-1 (2) WBC Heavyweight Title (1986-1990; 9 defenses, 1996; 0 defenses) (2) WBA Heavyweight Title (1987-1990; 8 defenses, 1996; 0 defenses) IBF Heavyweight Title (1987-1990; 6 defenses) Unified & Undisputed Titles Unified Heavyweight Title (1996; WBC , WBA ) The Ring Magazine Titles Named the 50th greatest boxer of all-time by ESPN in 2007. Mike Tyson's World Tour "Mike Tyson's World Tour," a series of four-round exhibitions bouts, was announced on September 28, 2006. Tyson said he anticipated taking the show to Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

"Mike Tyson's World Tour" was shades of the 1930's exhibition tour by former World Heavyweight Champion Jack Dempsey . On October 21, 2006, Tyson made the first and only stop of his exhibition tour in Youngstown, Ohio. Tyson and Corey Sanders boxed four two½ minute rounds. Tyson weighed 241½ lbs, while Sanders weighed 292½ lbs. Both boxers wore t-shirts, and Sanders wore headgear. Tyson dropped Sanders in the first round, but he didn't go for the knockout when Sanders got up. Later in the round, Tyson held Sanders up after landing another hard punch. The fans booed throughout the match. Promoter Sterling McPherson said afterwards, "I don't know what people were looking for. We weren't trying to fool anyone or pull the wool over anyone's eyes. This was an exhibition. People boo at real fights...

this isn't about him beating anybody up." Preceded by: New Adviser Finkel Could Help Punch Up Tyson's Credibility - tribunedigital-chicagotribune New Adviser Finkel Could Help Punch Up Tyson's Credibility September 17, 1998|By Michael Hirsley, Tribune Staff Writer. LAS VEGAS — When Mike Tyson appears before the Nevada State Athletic Commission on Saturday, if indeed he keeps the much-anticipated date to seek restoration of his boxing license, he will have a solid reputation in his corner. It won't be his own, of course. Assault charges against Tyson stemming from an alleged altercation after a recent auto accident in Maryland won't convince the Nevada commissioners of his rehabilitation since June 1997. That's when they revoked his license for biting Evander Holyfield's ears, which disqualified him from a heavyweight title fight. The respected reputation Tyson brings to his plea for reinstatement belongs to his latest adviser, Shelly Finkel. As a multimillionaire who carried credentials as a civilized and successful rock music promoter to the world of boxing, Finkel has thrived in two cutthroat businesses.

So how did this 54-year-old "adviser" wind up in Tyson's camp? "I've known Mike for 16 years, going back to when he was an amateur boxer," Finkel said. "We've kept a relationship over the years. When (Don) King and Mike broke up, I thought it was time to rekindle our friendship." Why? "I just think he's an amazing person, the good and the not-so-good," Finkel said. "He's a magnet for publicity . . . and a magnet for problems." The magnetic fields of Tyson and Finkel, both born in Brooklyn neighborhoods, connected through Finkel's fondness for boxing after he'd been a successful music promoter. In 1973 he produced the biggest-ever rock concert, drawing 600,000 to Watkins Glen, N.Y. Boxing was the sport his father loved. One of the early fighters he managed was Mark Breland. When Breland was an amateur Golden Gloves star, he and Finkel befriended fellow amateur Tyson. That acquaintance was renewed in February, Finkel coming to Tyson's side after the fighter split with previous co-managers John Horne and Rory Holloway.

Finkel says his non-paying adviser role will be more like manager than promoter if Tyson regains a license to box. He says he doesn't know who would train or promote the ex-champion. King? "Not that I'm aware of," Finkel said cautiously. "We don't think that will be the case." He stopped short of admitting it was a strategic mistake for Team Tyson to seek a New Jersey boxing license rather than return to the scene of his biting transgression and face the Nevada commission that revoked Tyson's license. The East Coast strategy was dropped just before the New Jersey boxing commissioners were about to rule, following Tyson's less-than-impressive, expletive-inclusive appearance before them. "When we decided not to go before New Jersey, that Nevada was the right thing to do, any other person would have gotten a blurb in sports," Finkel said. "But Mike Tyson was front-page news." Anticipating Saturday's hearing, at which Tyson will be asked about the Maryland incident and the apparent New Jersey end-run as well as what happened in the ring more than a year ago, Finkel concedes: "I see some difficulty.

But I hope we can overcome it." Aware that critics see Tyson as a fading fighter, if not a shot one, Finkel respectfully disagrees: "I believe he can beat anyone out there if he really wants to do it. I think he lost some interest, he was knocking everyone out . . ." That is until Holyfield ended Tyson's comeback and re-ascension to the heavyweight throne with a stunning knockout in November 1996, a prelude to last June's ear-biting debacle. Finkel, whose camp includes veteran Pernell Whitaker, another rehabilitation project, plus young guns Zabdiel Judah, David Tua and Fernando Vargas, was once Holyfield's manager. King is now Holyfield's promoter. That means if there is a Holyfield-Tyson III, each fighter could face a former ally in his opponent's corner. Finkel is not averse to the matchup. "Evander is wonderful, but not like Mike," he said. "There's no one like Mike." And there's no one in boxing quite like Shelly Finkel, who moved from Bruce Springsteen and the Eagles to Holyfield and Tyson.

He says the two worlds aren't that different--Finkel could just as well be describing some rock stars' egotism when he says, "In boxing, you get someone who didn't have adoration and financial rewards in his youth, and suddenly he has them both." In the worlds of boxing and music, "you're dealing with a lot of egos," Finkel said. MORE: Tyson Applies For License In N.j. - tribunedigital-chicagotribune Tyson Applies For License In N.j. July 18, 1998|By Stephen Nidetz. Mike Tyson, who hasn't fought since Nevada revoked his license for biting Evander Holyfield's ears during a championship bout last year, has applied for a boxing license in New Jersey. Tyson's attorney, Anthony Fusco Jr., said the former heavyweight champion has strong ties to the state, where he once lived and made Atlantic City one of his favorite fighting venues. The state Athletic Control Board has scheduled a July 29 hearing in Trenton to consider the license application. Nevada officials said they expect New Jersey and other states to continue to abide by their 1997 decision to revoke Tyson's license.

- Ex-champ Tommy Morrison was charged with drunken driving, running a red light and driving with a revoked license in Broken Arrow, Okla. MORE: Tyson taking Jersey road Nevada objects to bid to circumvent ban - tribunedigital-baltimoresun Tyson taking Jersey road Nevada objects to bid to circumvent ban July 29, 1998|By Alan Goldstein | Alan Goldstein,SUN STAFF A war between the states could be triggered in a Trenton, N.J., hearing room today, when Mike Tyson applies to the New Jersey Athletic Commission's three-man Board of Control for a boxing license. Last July, the former heavyweight champion's license was revoked indefinitely and he was fined $3 million by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for chomping Evander Holyfield's ear in their championship match in Las Vegas on June 28, 1997. Tyson was eligible to appeal the revocation in Nevada this month, but, acting on the advice of his new managerial team headed by Shelly Finkel, he turned to New Jersey in an attempt to resume his ring career, which was first interrupted in 1992 by a three-year prison term for rape.

Finkel, who once managed Holyfield's affairs, said he "liked the odds better" in New Jersey. The Nevada Commission viewed the New Jersey hearing as an end run by Tyson to circumvent a federal law that requires the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) to recognize statewide suspensions. "I feel like I'm at Fort Sumter," said Nevada commission executive director Marc Ratner. "There can be a lot of interpretations, but in the spirit of the law, states should follow our revocation. Mike Tyson should take care of business here before going anywhere else. This could be the death knell for the ABC." Jim Nave, a member of the Nevada board who voted to revoke Tyson's license, took a different stance. Said Nave: "In my opinion, this has nothing to do with the federal law. States honored suspensions and revocation before the federal law took effect. I don't know what the difference is now." Roger Shatzkin, a spokesman for New Jersey Attorney General Peter Verniero, said there is a difference between a suspension and a revocation. "We don't think revocation is covered by [federal] law," he said. "We are working within the boundaries of the law. This process is carefully measured.

It is no rush to judgment." But New York Attorney General Dennis Vacco told the New York hTC Post that he has told Verniero of his opposition to today's hearing in a letter. Said Vacco: "I would be offended if they actually licensed him or permitted him to box in New Jersey. It really undermines what we are trying to do." Nevada chose to revoke rather than suspend Tyson's license in order to fine him 10 percent of his $30 million purse for the bout with Holyfield. The fight was stopped in the third round after Tyson bit Holyfield a second time. Anthony Fusco, a New Jersey attorney who will represent Tyson at the hearing, said that the fighter could have elected to apply for a license in any other state but Nevada, but opted to wait at least a calendar year. Finkel estimated Tyson has lost at least $25 million in potential ring revenue the past year. "That's more than all the fines in the four major leagues," he said, adding that, in the past year, he has rejected lucrative offers for Tyson to fight in Germany, Russia and Canada. An unfavorable political atmosphere helped persuade Tyson to steer clear of Nevada.

"We got intimations they [the Nevada commission] weren't going to OK Mike until January," said Jeff Wald, another member of Tyson's new advisory team. "That, effectively, meant a two-year suspension. Mike's not getting younger [32]. He's got bills to pay." Fusco insists Tyson is a changed man. "We'll probably have witnesses and affidavits to indicate the positive things he has done," Fusco said. "The public doesn't know about his family life. We're confident that the New Jersey board will see the good side of Mike Tyson." On the surface, Tyson has attempted to mend his ways by severing his lengthy association with controversial promoter Don King and his two managers, John Horne and Rory Holloway. King's backing led to combined $35 million exclusive deals with the Showtime cable network and the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. Tyson reportedly has earned $140 million since being released from prison in 1995. But Tyson said half that money went to King and his managers, who were widely viewed as King's proxies. Last February, Tyson discovered he owed $7 million in taxes.

He fired King and initiated a $100 million suit against the promoter, Horne and Holloway for mismanagement. Boxing promoter Dino Duva, a close associate of Finkel, said: "My opinion is that Mike has served his penalty and has a right to get his license back and go on with his life." The New Jersey Control Board is expected to take at least a month before ruling on Tyson's license application. Realistically, he would not be prepared to return to the ring until December. Pub Date: 7/29/98 ESPN.com: BOXING - Transcript: Mike Tyson's medical evaluation Neuropsychological evaluation Circumstances of the Evaluation: This evaluation was requested by the Nevada State Athletic Commission in order to provide medical input regarding Mr. Tyson's request for reinstatement of his boxing license. Pursuant to your letter of September 21, 1998, we have completed an evaluation by a team of psychiatrists, psychologists, and neurologists. To the extent possible, we utilized the assessment measures which you requested. Where other measures were used, the reasons for their use will be discussed. Members of the evaluation team: The following individuals took direct part in the evaluation.

Thomas Deters, Ph.D, Neuropsychologist, Law and Psychiatry Service Massachusetts General Hospital and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts David Henderson, MD, Psychiatrist, Massachusetts General Hospital and Freedom Trail Clinic, Boston, Massachusetts Barry D. Jordan, MD, Neurologist, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, California David Medoff, Ph.D, Psychologist, Law and Psychiatry Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts Jeremy D. Schmahmann, MD, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts Ronald Schouten, MD, JD, Director, Law & Psychiatry Service, Massachusetts General Hospital Sources of Information: The following sources of information were relied upon in conducting this evaluation and in reaching the conclusions contained herein. Multiple formal interviews with Mr. Tyson over a five-day period, in addition to frequent contact wit Mr. Tyson and opportunities to observe him in the clinical setting over the course of five days. Dr. Schouten's interview time was six hours, Dr. Henderson's 1.5 hours, and Dr. Jordan's one hour. Drs. Deters and Madoff conducted additional clinical interviews as part of the testing.

Neurological evaluation by Drs. Schmahmann and Jordan. Psychological testing by Dr. Medoff Neuropsychological testing by Dr. Deters Telephone conference between Dr. Schouten and Larry Curry, MSW. Telephone conference between Monica Tyson, MD and Dr. Schouten. Electroencephalogram (EEG) -- New Jersey Athletic Commission hearing on July 29, 1998 -- Nevada Athletic Commission hearing on September 19, 1998 Warning of Limitation on Confidentiality: At the initiation of the evaluation, Mr. Tyson was informed that the contents of the evaluation would not be protected by the usual rules of confidentiality. He was further informed that he could refuse to answer any or all questions posed to him. Mr. Tyson expressed a clear understanding of these limitations and agreed to proceed. He indicated his ongoing understanding of these conditions throughout the evaluation process. Relevant history: Mr. Tyson is a 32-year-old, African-American, married man. He has four children. Mr. Tyson spent his early childhood in Brooklyn, New York, where he attended school. Due to behavioral difficulties he was placed in a school in upstate New York.

He reports receiving special education services because of these behavioral problems. At approximately age 12 he was taken into the home of Cus D'Amato and Camille Ewald where he came under Mr. D'Amato's tutelage and trained as a boxer. Mr. Tyson attended Catskill High School but left school after the 10th grade. He studied for the Graduate Equivalency Diploma but failed to pass the examination by a narrow margin. Mr. Tyson became very close to Mr. D'Amato and Ms. Ewald. The relationship between these individuals and Mr. Tyson has been described by Mr. Tyson and others as a relationship between parents and a child. Mr. D'Amato died in 1985 and Mr. Tyson describes his reaction to Mr. D'Amato's death as that of a child losing a parent. He continues to maintain contact with Ms. Ewald and continues to support her. Mr. Tyson's biological parents are both deceased, as is his sister. He has one brother who lives in California. Mr.

Tyson gave a history of repeated head injuries as a child, including multiple episodes of loss of consciousness as a result of being struck with objects in fights. He denied any loss of consciousness as an adult and particularly denies loss of consciousness while boxing. He has no history of serious illness, surgeries, or seizures. There is no history of headache or other neurological difficulties. He denied current substance abuse, including steroids. In 1992, Mr. Tyson's successful boxing career was interrupted by a prison sentence of six years. Mr. Tyson was released in three years due to a reduction in sentence for good behavior while incarcerated. Upon release from prison he returned to boxing. His career was once again interrupted on June 28, 1997. On that date, during a bout with Evander Holyfield, Mr. Tyson committed a major foul by biting Mr. Holyfield on the ear. After a two-point deduction, the fight resumed and Mr. Tyson again bit Mr. Holyfield. After the end of the round, Mr. Tyson was disqualified as a result of the second biting. Mike Tyson following his psychological evaluation at Massachusetts General Hospital. As part of the evaluation process, Mr.

Tyson was asked about symptoms of depression and other illnesses at the time of the Holyfield fight. He reported that he was experiencing significant depression at the time, in the contest of multiple financial and personal problems. There was no indication that he was suffering symptoms of another psychiatric disorder at the time. He denied using steroids or other substances at the time. Immediately following the fight, Mr. Tyson explained in an interview that he had retaliated for the head-butting because he was concerned about his career being ended by repeated injury from head-butting, feared that he would lose his job and not be able to support his family, and was not being protected by the officials. When asked about the foul, Mr. Tyson reports that he was very angry because he felt he had been the victim of head-butting from Mr. Holyfield in their previous bout and nothing had been done. His head been cut in that fight, and was cut again in Tyson-Holyfield II. After protesting the head butt and getting no response, Mr. Tyson reported that he felt that this was no longer a prize fight, but had become a street fight. He reported that when that occurred, he simply "snapped" and retaliated against Mr. Holyfield by biting him.

While he did not have perfect recall for all the events that occurred during this bout, there was no evidence from Mr. Tyson's account of the incident or from the videotape that the incident occurred during a dissociative state, psychotic episode, or in any other state of loss of awareness. Review of the tape indicates that the initial bite occurred after a few blows from Mr. Holyfield and immediately after another clashing of heads. This had been preceded by at least one head butt. Mr. Tyson had his license revoked for life by the Nevada Athletic Commission after this incident. It is our understanding that he became eligible to apply for reinstatement after one year. This report is requested in connection with that application for reinstatement. Since the fight in June 1998, Mr. Tyson has asked Mr. Holyfield to forgive him, and Mr. Holyfield has written in support of Mr. Tyson's reinstatement. Mr. Tyson reported that the biting incident, and loss of his license, has ruined his career and his life. He expressed remorse about the incident, as well as great concern that he will not be able to fulfill his obligation to support his family if he cannot box. Mr.

Tyson was adamant that he will never let anything like that happen again. Mr. Tyson has changed his management team since June 1997. He feels that he was betrayed by members of that team and has has a civil lawsuit pending against them for monetary damages. He noted that "people let me down. People I would have died for." According to Mr. Tyson, he underwent some psychological evaluation and some counseling as a child. The exact nature of those evaluations is unclear, and the records of the evaluations and any testing he may have had are not available at this time. Mr. Tyson reported that he has felt depressed all of his life. He received a diagnosis of Manic Depressive Illness several years ago and was placed on lithium carbonate, a mood stabilizer. He stated that this slowed him down considerably and that he stopped taking the medication after several doses. In December of 1997, Mr. Tyson entered treatment with Richard Goldberg, MD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Georgetown Medical School. Mr. Tyson saw Dr. Goldberg for seven or eight visits until Mr. Tyson relocated to Denver to begin training.

He subsequently contacted Larry Curry, MSW, who is a psychotherapist with expertise in anger management and working with professional athletes. Mr. Tyson has been on an antidepressant medication prescribed by Dr. Goldberg; however, he reported that this has not been particularly helpful to him. He has had discussions with Dr. Goldberg about the possibility of increasing the dosage of this medication. The frequency of meetings between Mr. Tyson and Dr. Goldberg remains uncertain, as Mr. Tyson has relocated to Denver for the present time. The relationship with Dr. Goldberg appears to be a solid one. Mr. Tyson reported that he derives great benefit from working with Dr. Goldberg and wishes to continue the relationship if at all possible. Mr. Tyson was particularly protective of that relationship and is hesitant to have the content of their discussions revealed in detail. Dr. Goldberg's findings on examination and his impressions of Mr. Tyson are similar to those derived by this evaluation team as outlined below. On September 29, the evaluation team received a copy of Dr. Goldberg's letter of July 21, 1998 to Attorney Fusco in which he indicated that Mr.

Tyson suffers from "dysthymic disorder (chronic depression) and issues related to his personality." Members of the evaluation team reviewed the videotape of the July 27, 1998 New Jersey hearing. We noted that Mr. Tyson maintained excellent behavioral control during the course of the extensive and detailed questioning. He indicated that he did not want to speak any further because he was "angry" and did so in a calm voice. Mr. Tyson did raise his voice plaintively when Attorney Fusco began advocating for him, asking Mr. Fusco if he knew what Mr. Tyson meant. he subsequently used an expletive, wondering out loud what he was expected to do. It was the impression of the evaluation team the Mr. Tyson's behavior at the New Jersey hearing was not indicative of a significant problem with impulse control. In fact, we interpreted it as an example of reasonable control under significant pressure. Similarly, we found Mr. Tyson's behavior during the Nevada hearing on September 19, 1998 to be appropriate and evidence of good control under stress. Several incidents have occurred over the last months involving Mr. Tyson which have raised concerns about his impulse control and anger management.

The evaluation team has reviewed testimony and evidence involving these incidents. The evidence regarding the restaurant incident in Washington, D.C, is consistent with Mr. Tyson's account that while words were exchanged between Mr. Tyson and a young woman in a restaurant, Mr. Tyson did not engage in any form of physical assault towards the individual. A second incident, involving a motor-vehicle accident in Gaithersburg, Maryland, was explained by Mr. Tyson in a manner consistent with his representations to others. No further details of that incident are outlined here in light of the fact that the alleged incident is potentially the subject of an ongoing criminal hearing.

Question: Which state renewed Mike Tyson's boxing license in 1998?
Answer: Nevada