Team Tyson Gets Face Lift, but the New Look Is Unclear

Don’t assume that Mike Tyson will be back in the ring in December. That now appears unlikely. Don’t assume that he has decided on a promoter. Don’t even assume that he will have a manager.

Twenty-four hours after Tyson regained his boxing license from the Nevada State Athletic Commission at an emotional public hearing, the only safe assumptions are that the former two-time heavyweight champion will use that license to resume his career, that he will be guided by a new Team Tyson and that controversy will continue to follow wherever he goes.

Former Laker superstar Magic Johnson, while remaining a key figure in the Tyson camp, may not emerge as Tyson’s official promoter. Dan Goossen of America Presents has been described by one source close to Tyson as “the leading contender.” But the Showtime network, which still has Tyson under contract, may push for Cedric Kushner.

Even the name of Bob Arum, longtime archrival of promoter Don King, has surfaced, but Arum said he has not been contacted and put little credence in that report.

Gone are King and co-managers John Horne and Rory Holloway, the men blamed for much of the personal and financial ruin suffered by Tyson.

Well, maybe not so gone. Tyson has sued to break it but still is under contract to King, and Horne filed suit Tuesday in Las Vegas against Shelly Finkel, one of Tyson’s new advisors, seeking 10% of any money Tyson makes in his next five fights. The suit includes a provision allowing other defendants to be named later.

The new captain of Team Tyson is his general counsel, John Branca. Working under Branca are Jim Jimmerson, the Nevada attorney who represented Tyson at the hearing; Dale Kinsella, representing Tyson in his suit against King, and Paul Kemp, representing Tyson in Maryland where two men are claiming Tyson attacked them after an auto accident. (Lawyers for those men, Abmielec Saucedo and Richard Hardick, said Tuesday they are nearing financial settlement. Assault charges pending against Tyson will probably be dropped if there is a settlement.)

Shawnee Sims, an Atlanta woman described as a friend of both Tyson and his wife, Monica, will be a key advisor.

Finkel, a longtime boxing figure who once represented Evander Holyfield, is expected to serve many of the functions of a manager, but may not be given the title because Tyson doesn’t like the word. Finkel, however, figures to have strong input in deciding whom Tyson fights and when.

Two tentative dates--Dec. 5 and 12--had been floated as possibilities for Tyson’s return.

“I don’t think he’ll fight in December,” Branca said. “I am skeptical that he’ll feel ready to return that quickly.”

Branca is expected to handle the negotiations on contracts and site fees.

Whenever he fights next, Tyson is expected to do so at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, scene of his last bout, the infamous ear-bite fight against Holyfield that cost Tyson his license for 15 months.

Johnson, who had indicated at Monday’s hearing that he would play a major role in Tyson’s future, was described as “a good resource” by one of those close to Tyson, but his specific role remains unclear. Johnson has promoter’s licenses in California and New Jersey and has applied for one in Nevada.

“It’s not like brain surgery,” he said of the fight game. “He can run contracts by me. He has finally found some people that care about him. Whether he ever boxed again or not, I’ll be there for him.”

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The Associated Press contributed to this story.