New ban threatens Tyson-Lewis

Mike Tyson is facing a new ban in the United States which would virtually end his hopes of a 6 April fight against world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis.

Tim Lueckenhoff, president of the Association of Boxing Commissions in America, has called for the sport's governing bodies there to follow the lead set last week by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and refuse Tyson a licence to fight.

Federal Law means the ABC cannot impose a ban across all the states. But by coming out against Tyson, Lueckenhoff is clearly giving a lead to commissions such as those in California and Texas which were considering giving him a hearing.

If other athletic commissions fall in line with Nevada, Tyson must look to a foreign promoter to stage a fight with Lewis.

But Lewis's American promoter, Gary Shaw of Main Events, said: "At this point I don't believe we would take the fight out of the United States."