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Tyson's wife could be behind efforts to dump Don King

Posted: Wed February 4, 1998 at 9:18 PM ET

LAS VEGAS (CNN/SI) -- Mike Tyson's sudden decision to get rid of his Don King-controlled management camp may have been prompted by an ultimatum from his wife, Monica Tyson.

Tyson fired his latest shot against King in a Wednesday statement that proclaimed that Tyson has taken control of his life. His actions have set the stage for a legal battle with King, who has overseen Tyson's record purses since the boxer's release from prison three years ago.

"At the present time I have taken control of my own affairs, both personal and business," Tyson said in a statement released by a Hollywood celebrity manager Wednesday afternoon. "I have hired new attorneys and accountants who report directly to me. I have formed Mike Tyson Enterprises and I am in the process of moving forward with my life."

The statement, released by Jeff Wald of Los Angeles, did not address reports that Tyson had severed ties with King and his two co-managers, John Horne and Rory Holloway.

"At the present time I am not answering any questions, but stay tuned," Tyson said in the brief statement.

CNN/SI's Sonja Steptoe has learned that Tyson's actions may have been prompted by Monica Tyson, who reportedly objected to information in a contract that the World Wrestling Federation's Vince McMahon mailed to the couple's Georgetown home. A source close to Tyson told CNN/SI's Steptoe that, "She put her foot down and said, 'It's either them or me.' " The source told CNN/SI's Steptoe that Monica Tyson noticed a licensing arrangement in which King had sold Tyson's likeness to WWF for a merchandising fee and all the money went to King. Another source, who also says Monica Tyson kicked her husband out of the house and told him "to clean up his act" by getting rid of King, Horne and Holloway, said her ultimatum prompted Tyson to call other people in boxing. During the process, he discovered that King, Horne and Holloway were taking 50 percent of his earnings.

The New York Post has reported that the dispute led to a confrontation between King and Tyson last Saturday night outside a Los Angeles hotel. CNN/SI's Steptoe has learned from a source that the confrontation took place in front of the Hotel Bel Air.

"Don got down on bended knee, literally, and begged Tyson not to go public with the financial improprieties until after King's tax evasion trial," according to the source. "Tyson brushed him off, but King pursued him to the point where Tyson slapped and kicked him."

Meanwhile, Wald, who represents celebrities such as Roseanne and James Brolin, said his company has "no formal involvement" with Tyson, adding "we're not negotiating at this point."

Wald said he met Tyson earlier when the fighter approached him about a music venture. Wald and his partner, Irving Azoff, promoted the last two George Foreman fights.

The announcement set the stage for a showdown between two of the biggest names in boxing, Tyson and King.

"He can't just walk away from a contract," one source close to both Tyson and King told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "Mike is just frustrated right now because he can't fight."

One of the sources who spoke to CNN/SI's Steptoe says Tyson won't be steadfast in his vow to stay away from King.

"In the past it's never stuck," the source said. "Don always found a way to get him back."

It would be "very hard" for Tyson to break his contract with King, Horne and Holloway, according to Dr. Elias Ghanem, chairman of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

"I don't know if Tyson is thinking that since he is not licensed, that his contract is void," Ghanem said Wednesday. "It would be very hard for someone to sign with someone else, knowing he already has a valid contract. The way I understand it, it would be hard for Tyson to sign with anyone else without Don King releasing him."

Tyson is scheduled to attend a news conference Thursday in New York City about an upcoming appearance for the World Wrestling Federation. It was not known whether King would attend.

Ghanem's agency banned Tyson and fined him $3 million last July after Tyson bit Evander Holyfield on his ears during a June 28 heavyweight championship fight at the MGM Grand. The controversial fighter will be able to seek reinstatement next July.

Ghanem said he is also concerned about published reports that Tyson may owe as much as $7 million in taxes.

"Anytime somebody has a tax problem, usually the IRS would put a lien on his purse before he gets in the ring," Ghanem said. "That would be an issue. We don't like to get involved in that."

Tyson has earned an estimated $140 million in six fights since he was released from an Indiana prison in 1995 after serving time on rape charges.

The outcome of any re-licensing hearing "depends on Mike Tyson's behavior and what he does inside and outside the ring," Ghanem said Wednesday.

The New York Post reported Wednesday that Tyson was down to $150,000 in liquid assets.

The New York Daily News reported that Los Angeles attorney John Branca had been hired by Tyson and had sent "termination" letters to Horne and Holloway last Thursday.

Calls by the AP to Branca on Wednesday were not returned.

The latest Tyson incident began to unfold Tuesday with reports that he was ending a 10-year relationship with King.

"Mike went down and met with some guys in Los Angeles and they enticed him by saying they could help him more than his existing deal," the AP source said.

"He wrote the letter, then he called Rory and John later and apologized," the source said. "I think it is a tempest in a teapot. He's under contract with everybody -- King, Horne and Holloway. There's no way he can get out of those contracts, which run for another three years."

King, Horne and Holloway issued statements Tuesday through Rogich Communications, a Las Vegas public relations firm hired to represent the boxer after the Holyfield fight furor.

"I love Mike and he knows it, but there are often outside forces and individuals that will try to capitalize on Mike's frustration that comes from his layoff as a result of the suspension," King said in his statement.

"I think there is sometimes a frustration and misunderstanding that can occur in the best of friendships and business relationships, and that's how we categorize this," Holloway and Horne said in their joint statement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.