Tyson scandal overshadows Olympics, Super Bowl

Two of the world's biggest sporting attractions, the Super Bowl and the 2002 Winter Olympics, may be just weeks away but both were left overshadowed on Wednesday by the latest scandal involving Mike Tyson.

From London to Los Angeles, the sporting spotlight has once again focused on Tyson, who triggered a mass brawl on Tuesday as he and world champion Lennox Lewis were attending a New York news conference to announce details of their long-awaited title match-up.

Tyson, rampaging out of control, fought with security guards, bit Lewis on the leg and snarled at reporters before exiting the mayhem screaming, "I just want to kill him".

Initially dismissed as yet another incident in the long-running joke that has become Tyson's career, the former champion awoke on Wednesday to a barrage of scathing criticism from all corners of the sporting world.

While most people appear to be growing weary of Tyson's unsavoury antics, it remains impossible for them to ignore him.

Most people need to view Tyson's life with the same sort of curiosity that makes them slow down and stare as they drive past a car wreck.

One day on and Tyson's latest meltdown remains the headline topic of the day. In the United States, he has been the subject of discussion on television shows ranging from CNN to Morning with Regis and Kelly.

Talk radio has kept the discussion going for 24 hours while headlines on websites and newspapers across America echoed the front page of the New York Daily News: "Mad Mike".

Much of the current debate centres around two questions. Is Tyson truly mad or was Tuesday's ugly scene merely the latest in a range of promotions for the richest fight in boxing history with a purse estimated at $150 million?

History, though, would suggest Tyson's latest outburst is further proof of an increasingly unstable personality.

Once rated the most feared man ever to set foot in the ring, Tyson has watched his career plummet downwards on a dizzying spiral since 1992 when he was sentenced to six years in jail for raping a former Miss Black America contestant.

His other run-ins with the law include a return to jail for assaulting two motorists in a road rage incident and is currently under fresh investigation by Las Vegas police for an alleged rape.

Tyson's financial and personal life is also reported to be in disarray with his wife Dr Monica Tyson having recently filed for divorce on the grounds of adultery and the U.S. government looking for millions in unpaid taxes.

Given his current financial crisis, Tyson's critics point out that no sane man would pass up the chance of a multi-million dollar payday.

Yet, inside the ring, Tyson has exhibited even less control.

RICHEST FIGHT

In 1997, he was banned from boxing for a year and fined $3 million after biting a chunk out of the Evander Holyfield's ear.

He has also attempted to break South African Frans Botha's arm, hit Orlin Norris after the bell and was fined $180,000 for striking a referee during a fight in Scotland.

Simon Block, general secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, does not view Tyson's actions as those of a rational man.

"He is supposed to be under medical supervision. I do think that someone professional needs to look at him," Block said.

In his prime, Tyson's menacing style and ruthlessness won him many admirers but, following his latest outburst, the 35-year-old could now find very few people still in his corner.

"I think he should be banned," said Frank Warren, who promoted two Tyson fights in 2000.

"A fine would be just a drop in the ocean for him, as he has money, but a two-year ban would probably finish his career."

Former British heavyweight champion Henry Cooper agreed.

"He is out of control and has been for years," Cooper said.