Boxing-Tyson hearing set for October 19

Las Vegas (USA) 13 Oct '98 The hearing on reinstatement of Mike Tyson's Nevada boxing license was set for next Monday after a psychiatric evaluation of the former world heavyweight champion was delivered just minutes before a Monday deadline.

The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. (1600 gmt) on October 19, Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Marc Ratner said. "It will be an interesting hearing," said Ratner.

Tyson's license was revoked in July 1997 for unsportsmanlike conduct: biting Evander Holyfield on both ears during their world title bout in Las Vegas one month earlier.

The commission ordered the psychological evaluation during a hearing last month and said it had to be submitted by the close of business Monday to give the five panel members time to study it.

The evaluation, prepared by Massachusetts General Hospital after testing at the Boston facility last month, was not turned in until two minutes before the 5 p.m. deadline.

Tyson's attorneys had waited for a ruling from the Nevada Supreme Court on whether the contents of the evaluation had to be made public. The ruling, delivered Monday afternoon, refused to block a Nevada lower court order last week that the contents had to be made public under the state's Public Records Law.

Attorneys for Tyson had gone to both District Court and the Supreme Court in order to keep private the contents of the evaluation, some of which, according to Tyson attorney Jim Jimmerson, are "unflattering."

However, Jimmerson maintained an upbeat attitude about the report. "The five questions asked by the Commission in relation to Mr Tyson's mental fitness to fight again were all responded to in the affirmative.

"It (the evaluation) was very positive. We're very pleased. I think it demonstrates there won't be a repeat of that incident in the ring. There were some unflattering aspects, but more positive aspects.

"Mr Tyson is cautiously optimistic and hopeful." However, at least two members of the Nevada State Athletic Commission -- chairman Elias Ghanem and James Nave -- have said that a positive evaluation will not automatically result in Tyson having his license reinstated. Both expressed concern about allegations that Tyson struck two middle-aged men in August after a minor automobile accident in Maryland.

Ghanem also expressed dismay after reading an interview with Tyson in the current issue of "Playboy" magazine.

Ghanem's reaction was "Oh, my God. Oh, my God" after reading the interview, which quoted Tyson as describing himself as "a hateful individual," saying "I always do my best to be cool, (but) I know I'm going to blow one day" and admitting "I'm just really angry these days. Really, really angry."

If Tyson's license is reinstated at the October 19 hearing, it is believed he could fight as soon as late November, most likely at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. An executive of that hotel sat behind Tyson at the initial reinstatement hearing September 19.

It was at the MGM Grand that Tyson bit Holyfield. The hotel has not hosted a fight card in the 15 months since. GRi