Battle of emotions
Tyson loses temper, holds back tears at license hearing
Posted: Wednesday July 29, 1998 03:36 PM
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Tyson was choked up as he spoke of biting Evander Holyfield, but as his testimony neared an end, he grew frustrated with the questioning |
TRENTON, New Jersey (AP) -- Mike Tyson lost his temper and cursed
during a hearing Wednesday before New Jersey boxing regulators who will
decide whether he can return to the ring after being banned for a
year.
Tyson choked back tears during his testimony before the New
Jersey Athletic Control Board, then turned angry under repeated
questioning as to why he bit Evander Holyfield's ear.
Tyson then was supposed to read a closing statement, but he
refused.
"I don't want to say it now, 'cause I'm angry," he said.
When his lawyer, Anthony Fusco Jr., tried to calm him, Tyson
used an expletive.
"You know what I mean, man? Why do I got to go through this
[expletive] all the time?"
"Relax, relax," Fusco said, putting his hand on Tyson's
shoulder.
Tyson was choked up as he spoke of biting Evander Holyfield on
both ears in their June 28, 1997 title bout in Las Vegas, but as
his testimony neared an end, he grew frustrated with the
questioning by Assistant Attorney General Michael Haas.
After Tyson's outburst, Fusco apologized to regulators, saying
it showed Tyson's "frustration" with his absence from boxing.
"You're seeing a guy ripped apart," said Fusco.
The three-member panel will have 45 days to decide whether Tyson
has "good character, honesty, integrity and responsibility," as
required by state boxing law.
No immediate action was taken. The board adjourned and scheduled
an executive session for August 6.
At a news conference later, Tyson denied losing his temper.
"I never lost my cool," he told reporters. "I was just
expressing my hurt."
During his testimony, a repentant Tyson told the board he "just
snapped" when he bit Holyfield in their title fight last year.
Tyson told the panel he was foggy from repeated head butts by
Holyfield in the third round.
"I just snapped. Nothing mattered anymore at that particular
point," Tyson said, pausing to gather himself as his voice broke.
"I'm sorry for what I did. I wish it never happened. It will haunt
me for the rest of my life."
He told Haas that he doubts he is capable of doing it again. He
said his personal life has been devastated by the incident.
Nevada revoked his license after the fight. The 32-year-old
Tyson has not fought since.
Two boxers testifying on Tyson's behalf said that in the heat of
battle almost anything can happen in the ring, and that the fighter
is not always conscious of his actions.
Former heavyweight contender Chuck Wepner said even Muhammad Ali
was known to lose his cool in the ring.
"It's something that happens to you in the ring and it's hard
to explain," Wepner told the panel.
No mention was made of the Holyfield fight until 45 minutes into
the hearing when Haas brought it up, questioning Wepner.
Former light heavyweight champion Bobby Czyz echoed Wepner's
comments, saying Tyson snapped in the ring, but that it shouldn't
prevent him from returning to it.
"A piece of the street came out in him." said Czyz.
He also said that if he was fighting an opponent and knocked the
guy's eye out, he would eat it before the guy had a chance to get
it back.
"That's the kind of mentality you have to have," Czyz said.
Testifying via videotape was 93-year-old Camille Ewald, former
companion of Tyson's longtime mentor Cuss D'Amato. She said Tyson
continues to support her financially and calls her his "white
mother."
Holding hands with his wife, Tyson was cheered as he arrived for
the hearing. But there were also scattered boos and a half-dozen
protesters from the New Jersey chapter of the National Organization
for Women demonstrated outside.
Questions have been raised whether New Jersey should be the
state to grant Tyson a license. Some said Tyson should return to
Nevada for his regulatory repentance.
Fighting for Holyfield's WBA title, Tyson bit his right ear.
After a four-minute delay, the fight resumed and he bit him on the
left ear, prompting referee Mills Lane to disqualify him.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission swiftly revoked Tyson's
license and fined him $3 million, leaving him eligible to apply for
reinstatement after one year. He has not done so.
Fusco said Tyson applied in New Jersey because he likes fighting
in Atlantic City, adding he may later seek a license in Nevada.
But there also was the fear by Tyson's handlers that Nevada
regulators would make him wait longer to get his license, and a
further layoff would diminish his skills. Tyson adviser Shelly
Finkel told the Las Vegas Sun last week that he did not think
Nevada would have re-licensed the fighter.
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