Nevada Sets Tone for Rest

Shelly Finkel, Mike Tyson’s manager, has begun processing the necessary paperwork to apply for a California boxing license for his fighter. Finkel hopes to complete the application next week, get a special hearing before the California Commission and gain the right for the former two-time heavyweight champion to face Lennox Lewis at Staples Center.

But even if all that happens, and even if Staples Center president Tim Leiweke continues to bid for the fight despite heavy criticism, it doesn’t necessarily mean the bout will be held here.

Although the Nevada State Athletic Commission boldly and wisely denied Tyson a license Tuesday because of erratic behavior both inside and outside the ring, four states have expressed an interest in a Lewis-Tyson match, including California, according to Finkel. The others are Texas, Michigan and Georgia.

Finkel says he also has a “big offer” from a European country which he declined to identify. He discounted expressions of interest from promoters in Denmark and South Africa, saying those weren’t viable options.

“There are lot of positives in connection with California,” Finkel said, “if they can license him and do it quickly. It’s a great area with a big and affluent population. I don’t see any negatives.”

Finkel uses the word “quickly” because he knows that allegations of two separate sexual assaults involving Tyson in his Las Vegas house in the past four months could soon turn into formal charges. And if that happens, the states showing an interest in Tyson might finally be shamed into doing the right thing and following Nevada’s shining example.

In the meantime, what will be the determining factor in deciding which offer Finkel pursues?

What is always the determining factor in boxing? Why do people like Finkel and Leiweke continue to court and accommodate Tyson? Money, of course.

Officials from Las Vegas’ MGM Grand, the original location of the fight, had agreed to a $12-million site fee. That was only possible because of the potential return through gaming activity.

Without the high rollers in the mix, Finkel will be fortunate to get half that amount.

Let the bidding begin.

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Integrity, Boxing in the Same Sentence

It’s been a long time since we used those words together. But then it’s been a long time since a boxing commission showed the courage of the Nevada group.

A week ago, cynics were saying Tyson would get a rubber stamp from the Nevada commissioners, that they would not dare stand in the way of that Nevada juggernaut, the gaming industry.

A city whose bright lights have been dimmed by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the subsequent dropoff in tourism would not stand for a “Not Welcome, Mike Tyson” sign going up at the city limits.

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

Well prepared, articulate and, ultimately wise, the commission turned Tyson down by a 4-1 vote.

“I’m very proud of them,” said Marc Ratner, the commission’s executive director.

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Unconscionable, Boxing in the Same Sentence

Dan Goossen, who once promoted Tyson, says that any state that licenses the fighter could ruin it for everybody.

“If you have 49 states making the right decision,” Goossen said, “and one going against them, it spoils the whole lot.

“This goes way beyond Mike Tyson. If other commissions can’t respect the integrity of the Nevada commission, then we may have pushed ourselves toward the establishment of a federal boxing commission.”

Sounds good to me.

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Oh, and by the Way ...

Tyson’s menacing shadow has pushed into the background separate fights tonight by two undisputed champions (HBO, 6:45 p.m.).

In Reading, Pa., Bernard Hopkins (42-2-1, 29 knockouts) puts his undisputed middleweight crown up against Carl Daniels (47-3-1, 30). A victory for Hopkins would be his 15th consecutive defense of at least a piece of the middleweight title, breaking the record of 14 by Carlos Monzon.

In Miami, Roy Jones Jr. (45-1, 36) will defend his undisputed light-heavyweight championship against Glen Kelly (28-0-1, 15). Kelly is a perfect Jones opponent. Few have ever heard of him.