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For a year, Tyson's a fighter without a state
Officials in New York and New Jersey -- the two other states in which he has fought since winning the heavyweight title in 1986 -- say they wouldn't sanction a Tyson bout. Other states are expected to follow suit.
"I've talked to a couple of other states and I feel strongly all states will honor our revocation," Marc Ratner, director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, said Thursday.
Also, Ron Hayter, president of the Canadian Professional Boxing Federation, said Tyson will not be able to fight in Canada.
"We will respect any kind of suspension that is levied against Tyson."
Tyson was fined $3 million and lost his Nevada boxing licence for biting Evander Holyfield's ears during their WBA heavyweight title fight in Las Vegas on June 28. Tyson, who was disqualified after the third round, can apply for reinstatement in a year.
The commission's ruling Wednesday does not automatically bar Tyson from fighting outside Nevada. A new federal boxing law doesn't address whether licence revocations have to be honored in other jurisdictions.
Nonetheless, Tyson won't find much sympathy among the more than 40 state commissions that regulate boxing in the United States.
Rob Lynch, assistant chief inspector with the California Athletic Commission, says his state will not sanction a Tyson fight.
"I don't think any of the states would," he said.
And if Tyson considers fighting outside the country, he faces obstacles on two fronts.
Since he was convicted of rape he would need permission from his parole officer to leave the country. Also, such a venture would no doubt anger the Nevada regulators and jeopardize his chances of getting his licence back.
Bruce Anderson, executive director of the Oregon Boxing and Wrestling Commission, said the language by the Nevada panel suggested that this was a matter left to individual states to interpret.
"Naturally my recommendation would be to honor Nevada's ruling," he said.
Added Diane Watson, a spokeswoman for Tennessee's boxing regulatory board: "Mike Tyson is not licensed to box in the state of Tennessee and I don't think he could get a licence."
The same held for those states where big-time bouts are more common.
"Whatever they did, we're going to go along with it," said Billy Lyons, chairman of the Mississippi Athletic Commission.
Larry Hazzard, New Jersey's boxing commissioner, indicated he would honor the ban, but he expects it to be lifted in a year.
"I'm sure Mike Tyson being the attraction he is in the sport of boxing, and the attraction he is in the state of Nevada, and with the financial investment placed in him ... all these things will weigh in his favor," Hazzard said. "If he lives a clean life and gets psychiatric counselling, I do believe strongly they will give him his licence back."