Buster Douglas out as Tyson’s next opponent

Tuesday, Aug. 10, 1999 | 10:38 a.m.

Scratch Buster Douglas from the list of possible opponents for Mike Tyson's latest comeback bid.

Despite published reports to the contrary, Tyson's promoter said Monday that Douglas would not be Tyson's opponent for his first fight since his release from a Maryland prison.

That leaves Tyson still searching for an opponent for the scheduled Oct. 2 fight, with the list of possible fighters now apparently down to 33-year-old Orlin Norris and 30-year-old Zeljko Mavrovic.

Promoter Dan Goossen said that Douglas, the first fighter to beat Tyson, was not in proper physical condition to get ready in time for the fight. Douglas reportedly weighs more than 300 pounds and would have been closely scrutinized by Nevada boxing officials before being allowed to fight in the state.

"Buster Douglas is not in fighting shape and will not be by October," Goossen said. "Mike is anxious to return to the ring and is looking to fight someone that will be physically and mentally ready to fight in October. At this point, Douglas does not fit that description."

Tyson's manager, Shelly Finkel, is now trying to sign either Norris or Mavrovic for the comeback fight. If he can't find an opponent within the next two weeks, though, the Oct. 2 date at the MGM Grand hotel-casino in Las Vegas could be in jeopardy.

Norris, the older brother of former junior middleweight champion Terry Norris, is a former cruiserweight champion. Despite 26 knockouts on his 49-5 record, Norris is defense-oriented and his fights are often devoid of action.

* A Maricopa County sheriff's deputy says boxer Mike Tyson gave her a hard bump in the back with a shoulder after she twice refused to shake his hand during his recent jail visit in Phoenix. Nancy Medlock's union representative added that the Sheriff's Office is ignoring her complaints for fear of negative publicity, an allegation a spokeswoman for the office denied.