Boxing: Tyson granted Washington licence
Mike Tyson has been granted a boxing licence by the Washington DC Boxing and Wrestling Commission.
The move sets the stage for a possible fight against Lennox Lewis at the MCI Center in June.
The three-member commission approved the licence by a 3-0 vote.
"To say we are not concerned about his past would be disingenuous," vice chairman Michael Brown said.
"But we looked at the application on its face."
Tyson has been looking for a boxing body that would permit him to fight WBC and IBF heavyweight champion Lewis.
The bout was originally scheduled for April 6 in Las Vegas, but Nevada officials denied Tyson a licence after his scuffle with Lewis at a news conference in which Lewis claimed Tyson bit him on the thigh.
Washington Mayor Anthony Williams has said he would not object to Tyson's fighting in the district if the commission gave its approval.
Both Williams and Brown cited the economic impact the fight would have.
"September 11 has changed a lot of things," Brown said. "A lot of hotel and restaurant people are out of work, and this fight would be helpful to the city."
