Tyson Can Box In D.C.

The chairman of the boxing commission thanked all those who spoke "for and against" Mike Tyson's application for a boxing license in Washington.

He paused, then added: "I'm still waiting for the against."

After hearing from some 60 members of the public - every single one of them in support of Tyson - Arnold McKnight and his fellow commissioners followed suit. The three-member D.C. Boxing and Wrestling Commission capped a two-hour meeting by voting unanimously to give the controversial heavyweight a license.

The vote makes the city's MCI Center the favorite to stage a Tyson bout against WBC-IBF champion Lennox Lewis on June 8.

"The commission went above and beyond the requirements of our statute," McKnight said. "An unprecedented examination of a boxer was ordered, and an unprecedented examination of a boxer took place."

Tyson was not at the meeting. In statement released by spokesman Scott Miranda, he said was "thrilled to be licensed in Washington D.C."

"I applaud their decision and will give the fight fans in the District the fight they deserve - the chance to see me knock out Lennox Lewis in June," Tyson said.

But there is work to be done before the fight becomes reality. Lewis must finish his application for a license - although that appears to be a formality - and both camps must work out financial arrangements for one of the most anticipated boxing events in recent years.

"There is still a big question whether or not the fight ever makes it here," said Rock Newman, who managed former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe. "Because of boxing politics, because of the economics, you just don't know."

The commission's vote was no surprise. The commissioners had said several times that they felt the fight's potential economic benefit outweighed concerns about Tyson's past.

The speakers at the meeting agreed.

"He's not coming here to give a presentation on morality," said D.C. resident Malik Waleed, amid raucous cheers from the standing-room only crowd. "This is a boxing match."

Washington is competing against several sites for a Tyson-Lewis fight. Tyson also has been licensed in Tennessee, and Detroit has emerged as a front-runner among a crowded field that has attracted international interest. Other states, including Georgia and Texas, have made it clear that Tyson isn't welcome.

The search for a place for Tyson to box began Jan. 29, when Nevada turned down his license request. The commission there cited Tyson's troubled past, which includes a 3-year prison sentence for rape, a 1-year sentence for a road rage assault and a 1-year boxing suspension for biting Evander Holyfield's ears during a fight.

The final straw for Nevada came when a melee broke out at a news conference to promote what would have been a Tyson-Lewis fight April 6 in Las Vegas.

Tyson testified live on national television at the Nevada hearing, but the Washington commission took a more low-key approach. They interviewed Tyson in private last week, then conducted medical and psychiatric tests.

"I can say that after a complete medical examination, Mr. Tyson is fit to participate in a boxing match," said Commissioner Mabel Boatwright, adding that the details of the medical report would be kept confidential.

Groups who have publicly opposed the fight in recent weeks, including the Greater Washington Board of Trade and the National Organization for Women, did not attend the meeting. Some of those opposed did express their opinions in writing.

The pro-Tyson movement had a key ally in Mayor Anthony Williams. Williams also persuaded MCI Center owner Abe Pollin to allow the arena to be used for the fight after guaranteeing "a safe environment."

Tuesday's speakers invoked biblical references, cited Tyson's "right to make a living" and the fight's potential economic boost to the tourism industry. Several who spoke said the opposition was motivated by racism, with comments such as "racism is alive and well" and "this is a black and white issue."

"Why take away his privilege to make his living?" said former middleweight champion Keith Holmes, the first speaker. "If you take away his privilege to make his living, he will still roam the Earth. If you take away his privilege to make a living, then kick him off the Earth."

By Joseph White