03-13-2002, 02:02 PM
Quote:Commission sets stage for Tyson-Lewis bout
WASHINGTON -- Mike Tyson got unanimous support from the D.C. Boxing and Wrestling Commission -- and his fans.
After a two-hour meeting that at times resembled a pep rally, the commission voted 3-0 Tuesday night to grant the controversial heavyweight a license to box in Washington.
The vote makes the city's MCI Center the favorite to stage a Tyson bout against WBC-IBF champion Lennox Lewis on June 8.
"We looked at the application. That's what it is," commission vice chairman Michael Brown said. "It's an application for a boxing license, nothing more, nothing less.
"It would be frivolous for us to stand up here and not be concerned about Mr. Tyson's past. ... We did that, we took those things into account and made the decision we made."
The vote was no surprise. Brown had said several times that he felt the fight's potential economic benefit outweighed concerns about Tyson's past.
Brown also said the commission would not be swayed by emotional arguments. There were indeed emotional statements made by the 60 or so members of the public who spoke before the commission -- but they were all for Tyson.
"He's not coming here to give a presentation on morality," said D.C. resident Malik Waleed, amid raucous cheers by the standing-room only crowd. "This is a boxing match."
Tyson was not at the meeting. In statement released by spokesman Scott Miranda, he said was "thrilled to be licensed in Washington D.C."
"I applaud their decision and will give the fight fans in the District the fight they deserve -- the chance to see me knock out Lennox Lewis in June," Tyson said.
Brown said the next step will be to process Lewis' application, which he said could be approved in the "coming days."
Washington is competing against several sites for a Tyson-Lewis fight. Tyson also has been licensed in Tennessee, and Detroit has emerged as a front-runner among a crowded field that has attracted international interest. Other states, including Georgia and Texas, have made it clear that Tyson isn't welcome.
The search for a place for Tyson to box began Jan. 29, when Nevada turned down his license request. The commission there cited Tyson's troubled past, which includes a three-year prison sentence for rape, a one-year sentence for a road rage assault and a one-year boxing suspension for biting Evander Holyfield's ears during a fight.
The final straw for Nevada came when a melee broke out at a news conference to promote what would have been a Tyson-Lewis fight April 6 in Las Vegas.
Tyson testified live on national television at the Nevada hearing, but the Washington commission took a more low-key approach. They interviewed Tyson in private last week, then conducted medical and psychiatric tests.
"I can say that after a complete medical examination, Mr. Tyson is fit to participate in a boxing match," said Commissioner Mabel Boatwright, adding that the details of the medical report would be kept confidential.
More cheers erupted after Boatwright's statement and following the final vote by the commission, which deliberated in private for 14 minutes before making its decision.
A possible drawback to a Tyson fight in Washington would be the lack of a site fee, usually put up by casinos to stage major heavyweight fights. MCI Center owner Abe Pollin agreed to allow his arena to stage the fight after getting guarantees of security from Mayor Anthony Williams, but he will be charging rent for the event and not putting up a site fee.
"There is still a big question as to whether or not the fight ever makes it here," said Rock Newman, heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe's former manager. "Because of boxing politics, because of the economics, you just don't know."
Several anti-Tyson groups, such as the Greater Washington Board of Trade and the National Organization for Women, did not attend the meeting. Some of those opposed did express their opinions in advance in writing.
The pro-Tyson speakers evoked biblical references, cited Tyson's "right to make a living" and the fight's potential economic boost to the tourism industry. Several who spoke said the opposition was motivated by racism, with comments such as "racism is alive and well" and "this is a black and white issue."
Some started a chant of "Let Mike Fight!" minutes before the meeting began.
"Why take away his privilege to make his living?" said former middleweight champion Keith Holmes, the first speaker. "If you take away his privilege to make his living, he will still roam the earth. If you take away his privilege to make a living, then kick him off the earth."
Women's groups have frequently opposed Tyson, but the female speakers were unanimous in his support Tuesday night. One group that spoke called itself WIST -- Women In Support of Tyson -- and another was called Women Love Sports, Too.
"Not every woman feels it is insulting or appalling for Mike Tyson to fight in Washington," WIST member Leisa Butler said.
Well, there you have it. Tyson is now officialy licenced. Whooppppe fuckin do at this point.
What's the over under he is going to do something stupid before the fight even happens? How about the odds he raped another woman?