Tyson Faces Bite Out Of Wallet Fine, Suspension, Lawsuit Possible In Wake Of Absurd Fight

Evander Holyfield’s right ear is in stitches, and Mike Tyson’s boxing career is in tatters.

Iron Mike, the baddest man of the decade, went far beyond the bounds of even his violent sport and was disqualified after three rounds for biting Holyfield on both ears Saturday night.

“We don’t know what’s in store for Mike Tyson,” said Jay Larkin, the man behind boxing for ShowtimeSET, which still has a 1-1/2-year contract with Tyson. “We’re waiting for a lot of answers.”

Holyfield answered one question while he was at Valley Hospital having his ears repaired when he said that since he has beaten Tyson twice, there’s no reason to fight him again.

Holyfield did not meet the media Sunday, but his attorney, Jim Thomas, said, “At this point in time we do not believe Mike Tyson deserves to be in the ring with somebody like Evander Holyfield.”

As for suing Tyson for the bites, one of which took a one-inch hunk out of the right ear, Thomas said, “I believe the action of Mike Tyson was a tortious action. Whether Evander Holyfield wants to do anything about that, we’ll have to decide.

“Both of us feel for the good of this sport, which Evander has put a lot into over the years, there needs to be some consequences,” Thomas said. “It’s just been hours since somebody bit a piece out of my best friend. I should calm down before deciding what to do.”

Thomas said his course of action would be influenced by the action of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, which held up Tyson’s $30 million purse pending an investigation. The commission will meet Tuesday to set a date for a hearing into the matter of fining and/or suspending Tyson.

“We could take 10 percent (of the purse) or $250,000, whichever is greater,” said Dr. Elias Ghanem, commission chairman. A suspension would be recognized by, at the least, major boxing states and by organizations such as the British Boxing Board of Control.

Lt. Dennis Cobb of the Las Vegas Police Department indicated there would be no charges filed against Tyson for taking a swing at an officer during the post-fight melee in the ring. Don Turner, Holyfield’s trainer, and Tim Hallmark, his strength coach, said Tyson didn’t hit the officer.

And Cobb said, “We kind of know it comes with the territory.”

Tyson spit out the hunk of Holyfield’s right ear and it was recovered by a casino worker and sent to the hospital, but Hallmark said when he and a plastic surgeon looked for it, it could not be found.

Asked if Holyfield was bothered by how he looked with a chunk of his ear missing, Turner snapped, “How would you feel with a piece out of your ear?”

The damage to Tyson’s career is immeasurable, but he can still make good money fighting - villains can be attractions, too. Michael Moorer, the IBF champion, has a contract with Showtime to fight Tyson, whether Tyson won or lost Saturday night.

Most damaging to Tyson’s reputation is the fact that many people who left the MGM Grand Garden, where all 16,331 seats were sold, agreed with Holyfield that Tyson wanted a disqualification because he knew he couldn’t win.

Chaos broke out in the hotel lobby and adjoining casino when people heard what they believed to be gunshots. Hotel executives said the sound was that of a champagne bottle breaking in the main lobby.