World heavyweight champion boxer Lennox Lewis of Britain says he will not fight challenger Mike Tyson of the United States unless he has proof the troubled American has received professional help in controlling his actions.
The World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation champion made his remarks in a televised interview on CNN's Larry King Live program Thursday.
Lewis says he will not get in the ring unless Tyson can prove he is receiving help and would not resort to unfair tactics such as biting or head butting.
Lewis and Tyson were scheduled to fight in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 6. However, last week, a melee at a pre-fight news conference put Tyson's license in jeopardy. Tuesday, the Nevada State Athletic Commission voted 4-1 not to grant Tyson a license to fight in Nevada.
Meanwhile, The Los Angeles Times newspaper says Mike Tyson will apply for a license to fight Lewis at the Staples Center in California
Tyson's manager, Shelly Finkel, says Tyson would like to challenge Lewis at the Los Angeles venue.
The next meeting for the California boxing commission is February 9. But the executive director of the California State Athletic Commission, Rob Lynch, said Thursday that consideration of a license for Tyson would likely come during a special meeting and not on February 9.
Officials at the Staples Center say they are intrigued by a Tyson-Lewis matchup. Promoters in South Africa and Denmark have also stepped forward and expressed interest in the fight.
Meanwhile, boxing officials in New York said Thursday that Tyson would not be granted a license to fight in that state.