Boxing Commission: Don’t Bite

Mike Tyson is a convicted rapist who now is under investigation in Las Vegas in two cases of sexual assault. When Tyson is angered--which doesn’t take much--he becomes a wild man. He bites people, in or out of the ring. Not even the libertarian state of Nevada wants the proposed April 6 fight between Tyson and heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission voted 4 to 1 last week to deny Tyson a license. Now, Tyson’s manager says he’d like to stage the match at Los Angeles’ Staples Center. Tim Leiweke, the arena’s president, said, “We would very much like to hold the fight here.” If, he added, the California State Athletic Commission grants Tyson a license. A commission official said no license request had been received but that if one is received it probably will be considered at a special meeting. The officials shouldn’t waste their time. Californians don’t want Tyson here. The commission should reject any license application without debate.

Tyson brushed off his January news conference brawl and the Nevada rejection as “minor setbacks.” If he tries to enter California, we should send Shaquille O’Neal to meet him at the border. Tyson would find out what a major setback is.