Tyson takes a swing at D.C.

<br>WASHINGTON (AP) _ The familiar hurdles to a fight involving Mike Tyson are already in place: a public hearing, some red tape and a few protesters. <br><br>In his search for a place that will let him

Wednesday, February 20th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The familiar hurdles to a fight involving Mike Tyson are already in place: a public hearing, some red tape and a few protesters.

In his search for a place that will let him box, Tyson is giving the nation's capital a try.

The D.C. Boxing and Wrestling Commission started the engine Tuesday with a 3-0 vote, setting up the March 12 hearing. If all goes well _ a big if when Tyson's involved _ another vote will be held after the hearing that could grant Tyson a license for a June 8 bout against Lennox Lewis at the MCI Center.

``The first step has been taken,'' commission vice chairman Michael Brown said. ``A lot of things have to be done.''

After numerous rejections, Tyson has looked far and wide for a boxing body that will permit him to fight Lewis, the WBC-IBF heavyweight champ. The bout was originally scheduled for April 6 in Las Vegas, but Nevada officials denied Tyson a license after a melee with Lewis at a news conference last month.

California, Texas, Michigan, Georgia, England, Denmark and the Netherlands were among many sites floated by Tyson's supporters as possible venues, with little success. Georgia, for example, fell out of the running the moment Gov. Roy Barnes referred to Tyson as a ``sexual predator.''

Brown, however, seems confident Tyson's license will be granted.

``We're expecting a lot of opposition,'' Brown said. ``But we're expecting a lot of support.''

The first wave of opposition showed up at Brown's news conference. About a dozen members of the National Organization for Women were on hand, holding signs that read ``Stop violence against women.''

``This is a man with an appalling history of violence against women,'' NOW member Terry O'Neill said.

Besides the hearing, Brown said there are other formalities and paperwork, including the fact Lewis must also apply for a license. The initial response from Lewis' camp was a positive one.

``Main Events will start work on the feasibility of promoting a bout in Washington, D.C.,'' said Gary Shaw, the chief operating officer of Main Events, Lewis' U.S. promoter.

Tyson's past includes a three-year prison sentence for rape, a one-year sentence for a road rage assault and a one-year boxing suspension for biting Evander Holyfield's ears during a fight.

Nevada police are currently investigating two sexual assault complaints against Tyson, although no charges have been filed.

``To say we are not concerned about his past would be disingenuous,'' Brown said. ``But we looked at the application on its face.''

Washington Mayor Anthony Williams 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 bring.

``Sept. 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.''