Tyson tries to explain his actions

Thursday, Jan. 24, 2002 | 10:07 a.m.

SUN STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Mike Tyson stopped short of apologizing for his actions in Tuesday's press conference melee in New York that was to announce his fight with heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis at the MGM Grand on April 6, but at least he tried to explain them.

"I came to New York to promote a fight that I want and the boxing fans came to see," Tyson said in a statement released on Wednesday. "I am not a role model or Mr. Politically Correct."

As Tyson and Lewis stood across from each other on platforms at the beginning of the news conference, Tyson walked toward Lewis, where one of the champion's bodyguards tried to step between the fighters. That touched off a free-for-all in which Tyson suffered a cut on his scalp and World Boxing Council president Jose Sulaiman was knocked to the ground and suffered a concussion.

After order was restored, Tyson launched into a profanity-laced tirade with a freelance reporter who had shouted from the audience that Tyson should be put in a straitjacket.

"After our skirmish, I was provoked by a member of the audience who was shouting obsceneties to me and I defended myself as I saw fit," Tyson said. "In the process, things that I said may have offended members of the audience. To these people, I offer my apologies.

"I'm a boxer," Tyson added. "And from now on, I will let my boxing talk for me."

The news conference fracas, which has put the fight with Lewis in jeopardy -- the Nevada State Athletic Commission is expected to vote on Tyson's request for a boxing license during a hearing on Tuesday -- is one of two major problems Tyson is currently facing.

Earlier this week, Metro Police said they had probable cause to believe a crime was committed, supporting a women's claim that she had been sexually assaulted by Tyson in his Las Vegas home. The District Attorney's office has received the findings of the Metro investigation and a decision on whether to formally charge Tyson is said to be forthcoming.

But NSAC executive director Marc Ratner told the Sun that the re-licensing hearing would not focus on the assault investigation, due to legal reasons.

Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn, who appointed four of the five commission members to their posts, issued a statement of his own on Wednesday.

Guinn expressed "concern" over the press conference flare-up but said he trusts the commission will make the right decision on whether to license Tyson.

"I have full confidence in the Nevada Athletic Commission to do the right thing for the state of Nevada," Guinn said.