State leaders refute newspaper report they were lobbying against Tyson

Steve Carp

Tuesday, Oct. 20, 1998 | 10:27 a.m.

Mike Tyson didn't have as many enemies in Nevada as he thought.

Contrary to a Las Vegas Review Journal report that there was open campaigning by prominent Nevadans to sway the State Athletic Commission to deny Tyson a license, the belief was the five-man panel, which voted 4-1 Monday to relicense Tyson, would do what was best for the state.

Gov. Bob Miller said that was his hope.

"I didn't care which way they voted as long as they were thorough and fair," Miller said. "I think the commission did a very thorough job and that was my only concern."

Sen. Richard Bryan (D-Nevada), who has been active in boxing legislation on a national level, said that he, too, had no say in trying to influence the outcome of Monday's hearing at the Clark County Government Center.

"I haven't lobbied anyone," Bryan said. "I wouldn't get involved."

Bryan said he trusted the commission would do what was fair.

"I'm not going to pass judgement on the decision since I don't have all the evidence they based their decision on," he said. "But this is a good commission. It is recognized as the premier commission in America. And I know their decision was based on the evidence they received."

Political consultant Sig Rogich denied he tried to wield any influence, positive or negative, with the commission, and that he had no problem with Tyson getting his license back -- provided he was forthright with the commission.

"It's totally inaccurate," Rogich said of the Review-Journal report. "The only thing I've told the commission is that the state's interests be protected."

Rogich was hired by promoter Don King after the June 28, 1997 incident at the MGM Grand Garden when Tyson bit the ears of Evander Holyfield in their heavyweight championship fight. The public relations specialist attempted to help Tyson deal with the aftermath and crafted the apology Tyson gave two days after the incident.

However, when Tyson broke ranks with King, Rogich's services were no longer retained.

"When he (King) fell apart, I fell apart," Rogich said of his relationship with Tyson.

Rogich said he had no fundamental problems with Tyson getting back in the ring.

"My instinct is yes, he should be relicensed," Rogich said. "I was following the hearing and I was impressed with the (Massachusetts General Hospital) doctors and what they had to say."

Rogich was less impressed with the verbal jousting Tyson displayed with commission member Dr. James Nave. At one point, Tyson accused Nave of torturing him.

"That was a stupid thing to do," Rogich said of Tyson's demeanor at that point. "He's not a politician."

Nave cast the lone dissenting vote among the five-member panel.

With the path now cleared for Tyson to return to the ring, perhaps as early as December, the real scrutiny will begin.

Miller said recent legislation, which enables the NSAC to fine up to 100 percent of a fighter's purse, may be the ultimate deterrent to future potential incidents.

"It's obviously important that we can't have a recurrence from Mike or any other fighter," Miller said. "I think the new legislation where you can lose your entire purse is important. That's a pretty big thing to have hanging over your head."

Bryan said: "Mike Tyson is ultimately the one who will prove or disprove the wisdom of the commission's decision."