Tyson apologises for his brawl

NEW YORK, JANUARY 24: A repentant Mike Tyson has apologised for his part in the brawl that erupted at a news conference to promote his proposed bout with world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis in Las Vegas on April 6.

Former champion Tyson was quoted on the BBC website as saying that he would let his fighting in the ring do the talking in future.

Tyson has come under a great deal of criticism following the amazing scenes witnessed by the gathered media on Tuesday when he stormed towards Lewis, threw a punch at a bodyguard who tried to intervene, and started a 20-man brawl.

Tyson also aimed abuse at a reporter who suggested he should be put in a straight-jacket. ‘‘I came to New York to promote a fight that I want and boxing fans want to see. I am not a role model nor Mr Politically Correct. I am a boxer and from now on I will let my boxing talk for me,’’ Tyson said yesterday.

‘‘There was obviously a miscommunication between our camps with regards to the face-off, and chaos broke out. After our skirmish, I was provoked by a member of the audience who was shouting obscenities at me and I defended myself as I saw fit. In the process, things that I said may have offended members of the audience. To these people, I offer my apologies.’’

However, Tyson’s apology may have come a little to late to save the bout. Tyson will meet with the Nevada State Athletic Commission on Tuesday to decide whether he will be given a licence to box in Las Vegas, where he was banned in 1997 after biting off part of Evander Holyfield’s ear in a world title fight. (Reuters)