Nevada Gains Leverage in Fining Boxers

In a swift response to the furor over Mike Tyson’s 10% fine, Nevada Gov. Bob Miller signed a bill Friday that allows the state to fine a fighter his full purse if he engages in the kind of activity that led to Tyson’s disqualification in his fight here June 28 against Evander Holyfield.

Previously, the Nevada State Athletic Commission could fine a maximum of $250,000, or 10% of the purse, whichever was higher.

“This gives the commission a new tool to use,” said Marc Ratner, executive director

of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

“When the $250,000 rule was passed, I don’t think anybody ever imagined the kinds of purses fighters would be earning.”

On Wednesday, the commission fined Tyson the maximum then allowable--$3 million, or 10% of his $30-million purse--for biting Holyfield’s ears and causing a near-riot in the ring after his disqualification.

During the disciplinary hearing, panel chairman Elias Ghanem said he hoped that the 100% penalty would become law and implied that the commission had wanted to seize far more than $3 million from Tyson, who also lost his license for at least a year.

“It just seems the amount of money paid the boxers has sort of outdistanced the various rules that governed the sport,” said Hugh Panero, president of Request Television, one of the nation’s largest pay-per-view distributors.

“A 10% penalty on a $30-million purse is fairly insignificant. Where people are guaranteed 6, 7, 8, up to $30 million to fight, it seems to me the public will at some time begin to question the fighter’s intentions if he just ends a fight on a disqualification.”

The 100% bill was rushed through both houses of the Nevada legislature in the days after Tyson’s actions.

Miller, who said he wanted to make sure the law took effect before today’s World Boxing Council heavyweight title fight between Lennox Lewis and Henry Akinwande at Lake Tahoe, Nev., said the measure sends a “strong message” to fighters who might veer from boxing’s rules.

Said State Sen. Mark James of Las Vegas: “Someone should not be able to walk in the ring and walk away with $30 million after two rounds and two bites of ear.”