Tyson Issues an Apology for Fracas

Mike Tyson, facing a licensing hearing in Nevada for his April 6 bout against Lennox Lewis, issued an apology through a publicist for initiating a brawl that ended Tuesday’s news conference in New York before it even started.

“There was obviously miscommunication between our camps, with regards to the faceoff and chaos broke out,” said the Tyson statement. “After our skirmish, I was provoked by a member of the audience who was shouting obscenities directed at me and I defended myself as I saw fit. In the process, I said things that may have offended members of the audience. To those people, I offer my apologies.

“As I mentioned previously, I came to New York to promote a fight that I want and boxing fans want to see. I am not a role model or Mr. Politically Correct. I am a boxer and, from now on, I will let my boxing do the talking for me.”

Said Gary Shaw, Lewis’ promoter: “I’m glad that Mike saw fit to apologize. I hope that nothing like this ever happens again.”

When Tyson and Lewis approached each other Tuesday on the stage of the Hudson Theater in the Millennium Hotel, Tyson rushed forward, only to be stopped by a Lewis bodyguard. Tyson took a swing at the bodyguard, Lewis took a swing at Tyson and a melee ensued.

Lewis’ handlers claim Tyson bit the heavyweight champion on one leg.

After relative calm was restored, a member of the media shouted, “Put [Tyson] in a straitjacket,” eliciting an expletive-laced response from Tyson.

World Boxing Council President Jose Sulaiman, who fell and hit his head during the brawl, revealed Wednesday that he had suffered a mild concussion.

But Sulaiman was able to attend a news conference Wednesday for Saturday’s welterweight title match at Madison Square Garden between Shane Mosley and Vernon Forrest.

Steve Springer

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Swimming

Ed Moses of the United States set his third short-course world record in two days, winning the men’s 100-meter breaststroke in 57.47 seconds in a World Cup meet Wednesday at Stockholm.

Moses had established the previous record of 57.66 nearly two years ago.

Emma Igelstrom of Sweden set the women’s 50 breaststroke record with a time of 30.43. China’s Luo Xuejuan set the previous mark of 30.47 this month.

Moses set short-course world records in the 50- and 200-meter breaststroke Tuesday.

Other American winners Wednesday were Jason Lezak in the 50 freestyle (21.57), Michael Gilliam in the 50 backstroke (24.50) and Haley Cope in the women’s 100 backstroke (59.66).

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Olympics

The Justice Department appealed a judge’s decision to throw out all 15 felony charges in the Olympic bribery case, the worst scandal in the history of the Games.

Defense lawyers for the two Salt Lake City bid executives accused of bribing Olympic officials said they found nothing new in the appeal.

In the appeal to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver, the Justice Department disputed a finding by U.S. District Judge David Sam that it had intruded into Utah state affairs.

Federal prosecutors said the nation’s prestige was tarnished by the dealings of bid chief Tom Welch and deputy Dave Johnson, who landed the Olympics for Salt Lake City.

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Baseball

Jeff Zimmerman and the Texas Rangers agreed to a three-year contract worth about $10 million.

Zimmerman, 29, had a 4-4 record with 28 saves and a 2.40 earned-run average with the Rangers last season.

Reliever Steve Reed agreed to a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres and was invited to spring training.

Reed was 3-3 with a 3.55 ERA with the Cleveland Indians and Atlanta Braves last season.

Melvin Mora, 30, expected to be the Baltimore Orioles’ center fielder, will sit out the first few weeks of spring training after breaking a finger in a Venezuelan winter league game.

Colorado right-hander Shawn Chacon had arthroscopic surgery for torn cartilage in his right knee.

He was 6-10 with a 5.06 ERA last season.

Reliever Mike Jackson, 37, and Minnesota agreed to a minor league contract.

Jackson has pitched with Philadelphia, Seattle, San Francisco, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Houston in his 16-year career.

Former major league outfielder Jeff Stone, 41, was in satisfactory condition in a hospital at Memphis, Tenn., after allegedly being stabbed several times by his wife Saturday in their home at Portageville, Mo.

Several Houston corporations have contacted Astro owner Drayton McLane Jr. about putting their name on what now is Enron Field.

McLane said Enron is current on its payments for the 30-year, $100-million naming rights agreement with the Astros.

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Soccer

Unni Lehn scored in the fifth minute and Norway defeated the United States, 1-0, in the first round of a four-nation women’s tournament at Shanghai.

Vittorio Mero, a defender with Brescia of the Italian League, was killed in an automobile accident. He was 27.

Mero had not traveled with teammates to an Italian Cup game at Parma on Wednesday because he was serving a suspension. The game was postponed.

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Miscellany

Long Beach will play host to the 2004 water polo Olympic trials.

The city plans to build a temporary venue adjacent to the Convention Center that will seat about 10,000.

The U.S. Olympic swimming trials also will be held at Long Beach in 2004.

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Hurdlers Gail Devers, Allen Johnson and Terrence Trammell, and miler Bernard Lagat have committed to compete in the Millrose Games on Feb. 1 at New York’s Madison Square Garden.