Attorneys: Report Indicates Tyson’s Fit

Mike Tyson’s attorney said psychological exams to be released today will show that the former heavyweight champion is mentally and physically fit to return to the ring.

“He is sound mentally, he is sound physically, and he is sound neurologically,” attorney Jim Jimmerson said Monday.

Jimmerson said a team of psychiatrists ordered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission to examine Tyson concluded in their reports that Tyson occasionally reacts in anger, but can control his feelings through additional counseling.

However, Jimmerson acknowledged that there are certain aspects of the report that Tyson would prefer the public not see.

“It is a hard-hitting report,” Jimmerson said. “There are going to be things that talk about his innermost thoughts and innermost feelings.”

The commission plans to release copies of the reports at 8 a.m. today.

A divided Nevada Supreme Court refused to block a lower court’s order that allows the documents to be made public once they are given to the commission.

Tyson goes before state boxing officials once again next week to try to get back the license they revoked 15 months ago.

Tyson also faces trial in Montgomery County, Md., for assault charges filed by two men after an Aug. 31 traffic accident near Washington, D.C.

Tyson’s attorneys have been trying to negotiate a settlement, although prosecutors say they plan to go ahead with the case even if a settlement is reached.

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Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis moved closer to fighting for the undisputed heavyweight championship, promoter Don King said as he arrived in London for a meeting with Lewis’ manager, Frank Maloney.

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Former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier, who says Philadelphia police used excessive force when they arrested him in April and damaged his reputation when they testified at his trial, announced he is suing the city. Frazier, 54, was acquitted of drunk driving charges last month.

Tennis

Former world No. 1 Jim Courier won his opening-round match at the Singapore Open, defeating Canada’s Daniel Nestor, 6-3, 6-2. . . . Ruxandra Dragomir of Romania pulled off the first upset at the European Championships at Zurich, Switzerland, defeating 20th-ranked Anke Huber of Germany, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. . . . Top-ranked Pete Sampras beat Jan Kroslak, 6-2, 7-5, in the first round of the CA Tennis Trophy tournament at Vienna, Austria. . . . Michael Chang won the rain-delayed Heineken Open at Shanghai, China, beating top-seeded Goran Ivanisevic, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.

Obituaries

Former Chicago Cub Manager Elvin W. Tappe, whose links to the team spanned more than 20 years, died at home at Quincy, Ill., Saturday. He was 71. He had battled pancreatic cancer for five years. . . . Chandler Craig, a 16-year-old linebacker, died of head injuries he suffered after making a tackle in a high school game Oct. 2 at Hamilton, Texas.

Miscellany

The last chance for the NBA to save a full season comes today when Commissioner David Stern and the owners meet with players and union chief Billy Hunter for talks in New York. Barring a quick settlement, the league will cancel games for the first time. . . . Finland’s Tommi Makinen, driving a Mitsubishi, led Piero Liatti by 3.7 seconds after the first stage of the San Remo, Italy, auto rally. . . . The U.S. Olympic women’s marathon trials will be at Columbia, S.C., on Feb. 26, 2000. . . . Valerie Still tore ligaments and cartilage in her right knee during the ABL Columbus Quest’s first exhibition game Sunday at Columbus, Ohio. . . . Michael Waltrip will replace Geoff Bodine in the Mattei Motorsports entry for the 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup season, team owner Jim Mattei said.