Tyson goes berserk

Dean Juipe

Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2002 | 11:29 a.m.

Reacting belligerently at a press conference today in New York City to announce his April 6 fight in Las Vegas with Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson went into a rage and put the proposed fight into immediate jeopardy.

For reasons that are unclear, Tyson seemingly went berserk and began throwing punches toward Lewis and allegedly bit the heavyweight champion's foot. He also grabbed his crotch and was hollering in a loud voice.

Someone in the audience yelled "Put him in a straightjacket."

Whatever prompted the disturbance, Tyson's behavior almost certainly will keep the fight from occurring as scheduled at the MGM Grand Garden.

Only minutes earlier, the fight had been officially announced by rival cable networks HBO and Showtime.

The MGM landed the fight, contingent on Tyson being licensed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Tyson, a convicted felon, was last licensed in Nevada in 1999.

But the Clark County District Attorney's office has an ongoing investigation into a sexual-assault allegation brought against Tyson by a Las Vegas woman in September. That investigation would only impact Tyson's licensing if he is indicted and found guilty.

Yet today's episode in New York may override the investigation, at least for the short term, and preclude Tyson from being licensed on the basis of the unstable behavior he exhibited in an otherwise peaceful setting.

Tyson, a two-time former champion, and his entourage left the press conference amid what appeared to be bedlam.

He and Lewis were to each receive $20 million for a fight that was projected to be the most-watched in boxing history.

In a closely guarded secret, the MGM emerged as the top bidder to host the bout, edging Mandalay Bay and Madison Square Garden. MGM/Mirage president and CEO Richard Sturm heralded it as "the greatest fight in history."

But any and everything to do with the fight was disrupted when Tyson and his boisterous entourage confronted Lewis and his associates on a stage. It was said Tyson and his people then left the building and were making their way down 6th Avenue.

Tyson had a cut on his hairline and WBC president Jose Sulaiman was knocked down during the melee.