Boxing Regulators in Nevada Deny Tyson License
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: The Tyson-Lewis fight that had been scheduled in Vegas in early April will have to be moved somewhere else out of the state. Boxing regulators in Nevada yesterday refused to issue him the necessary license. The commissioners cited concerns over Tyson's unpredictable and often violent behavior. For a ring-side view now of the sideshow in Vegas, CNN's Eric Horng brings us up to date from there.</s>ERIC HORNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's been said the toughest opponent in Mike Tyson's career has been Tyson himself. But with his future as a boxer on the line, he asked the Nevada State Athletic Commission to forgive his past troubles one more time.</s>MIKE TYSON, HEAVYWEIGHT BOXER: I'm not Mother Teresa, and I'm not Charles Manson either, but just treat me equal.</s>HORNG: After arriving more than a half hour late to the hearing, Tyson was grilled with questions for about 90 minutes, at a few points yawning audibly. The panel questioned Tyson about his medical history, whether he has been undergoing regular psychological evaluations, and asking about the all-out brawl, interrupting a news conference. In the end, the commission voted 4-1 to deny the license.</s>JOHN BAILEY, NEVADA STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION: You have done very good things for boxing. You have been a champ. You have done charitable things. I believe you have tarnished, though, and I believe have you diminished the sport and the profession.</s>HORNG: Tyson left before the vote came down. And while speaking to reporters, remained on the defensive.</s>TYSON: If any of this, because of my merits (ph) that happened the 22nd of January, then I'm sorry. But as evidence proves, there has been worse press conferences than that.</s>HORNG: So what now for Mike Tyson? He could apply for a license in another state. But more than likely, a Tyson-Lewis bout will have to take place outside the U.S. In Las Vegas, I'm Eric Horng.