Only One of Several Questions: Will Tyson Box?

The guilty verdict against Mike Tyson Monday night in Indianapolis put boxing into a state of flux.

Whether Tyson, 25, the former heavyweight champion, will ever fight again is difficult to determine.

That is one of many questions being asked after Tyson was found guilty of one count of felony rape and two counts of felony criminal deviate conduct for his sexual assault on an 18-year-old Miss Black America contestant July 19 at an Indianapolis hotel.

Others:

Question: Can Tyson fight while he appeals the verdict?

Answer: Although it is unprecedented, boxing promoters and a former California boxing official believe he could. They said it would be difficult to stop a boxer from fighting while he is exhausting the appeals process.

Don Fraser, a California boxing promoter, said Tyson could fight, but it would damage the sport’s image. He said the protest would be enormous if someone convicted of rape was allowed to earn $15 million while appealing the verdict.

Q: Can convicted felons receive boxing licenses once they complete their prison sentence?

A: Chuck Minker, executive secretary of the Nevada State Boxing Commission, said it is against Nevada law, but felons have boxed. California will license felons, according to Dale Ashley, a former state investigator. Rules for New Jersey and New York could not be obtained.

Q: Was Tyson incarcerated after the verdict late Monday night?

A: No. When prosecutors asked that Tyson’s $30,000 bond be revoked and that he be remanded into custody, Marion County Superior Court Judge Patricia Gifford agreed to continue bail after Tyson surrendered his passport.

Q: When will he be sentenced?

A: Sentencing was set for 1 p.m., Indianapolis time, March 6.

Q: What is the minimum amount of time Tyson could be jailed?

A: Each count carries a prison sentence ranging from six to 20 years.

Q: What happens to the World Boxing Council’s heavyweight division?

A: Champion Evander Holyfield lost the chance to meet his most serious challenger, but promoters said there will be other opponents. The champion probably will fight Riddick Bowe, Larry Holmes or George Foreman in May or June.

“It puts the heavyweight division in turmoil,” Fraser said. “Holyfield has other options, but nobody with the magnitude of Tyson.”

Q: Will the Tyson verdict affect USA Boxing’s fund-raising efforts in this Olympic year?

A: No, said Jim Fox, executive director of USA Boxing. Fox said the decision will not have any repercussions on the amateur sport because it is different than professional boxing. Fox said fans do not associate Olympic boxers with those in the professional ranks.