Tyson's Texas fight bid receives setback

Mike Tyson's hopes of fighting world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis in Texas received a setback today.

After the Nevada State Athletic Commission refused to grant Tyson a licence to fight London-born Lewis in Las Vegas on 6 April, promoters in Texas made moves to host a match that, grossing income of up to £70 million, would be the most lucrative in the sport's history.

Tyson is this week expected to submit a licence application to box in Texas where the Houston Astrodome, the Alamodrome in San Antonio and the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth have been put forward as possible venues.

But leading local politician Ray Allen today warned: "I think Tyson is toast in Texas."

Allen, a Republican, is an influential figure who serves on the state committee that oversees the agency responsible for issuing boxing licences. He also sits on the committee that deals with the state's prison system.

He claims that Tyson, a convicted rapist, failed to register as a sex offender when he trained in San Antonio last Spring.

Allen said: "Mike Tyson's application for a boxing licence in Texas faces some serious challenges. If I was his manager I'd be looking for some place else to fight."

That won't be New York where state athletic commissioner Ray Kelly insists he will abide by Nevada's decision not to reinstate Tyson's licence to fight.

Remaining possibilities include Michigan where boxing legend Thomas Hearns, now a promoter, has started negotiations with local boxing authorities, and the Philippines where Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier fought the famed 'Thrilla in Manila' in 1975.