Ex-champ may face legal bout

      Mike Tyson could end up fighting for his freedom if Evander Holyfield or the officers subjected to Tyson's post-fight tirade on Saturday express interest in pursuing criminal charges.
      Also, Indiana authorities said Monday they will review Tyson's probation status in light of the boxer's actions during and after his fight with Holyfield at the MGM Grand Garden.
      "Based on this new behavior, we might rethink his current level of probation," said George Walker, chief probation officer for Marion County Superior Court in Indiana.
      Tyson is on probation for the 1991 rape of beauty pageant contestant Desiree Washington in Indianapolis. He could face a return trip to prison if found guilty of any criminal offense, Walker said.
      Shortly after Tyson was disqualified from the bout for biting both of Holyfield's ears, he took at least one errant swing at Las Vegas police officers trying to maintain order in the ring. The swing came within inches of striking the chin of an officer, whom authorities declined to identify Monday.
      Las Vegas police Sgt. Will Minor said if Holyfield or the officer express an interest in pursuing charges, a criminal inquiry will be opened. The results of that inquiry would go to the Clark County district attorney's office, where prosecutors would determine if the incident warrants charges.
      "If Mr. Holyfield or the officers wanted to come forward as victims of Mr. Tyson's actions ... we would consider filing charges," Minor said. "So far, they haven't come forward."
      Holyfield's attorney, Jim Thomas, said late Monday that while Holyfield is considering all his options, he has no intention of seeking possible felony mayhem or misdemeanor assault charges against Tyson.
      "I think the door is always open as a matter of law," Thomas said. "But I've talked to Evander and he has no intention of pursuing criminal charges.
      "From what we understand, the consequences of such a step could be so severe, we wouldn't want to take it without a whole lot of thought and consideration," Thomas said. "As everyone knows, Evander Holyfield is not a revengeful person. I want to emphasize we have no interest in hurting Mike Tyson no matter how many people he hurt."
      Minor said he had not talked to the officer who Tyson almost struck. Other police officials, who spoke Monday on condition of anonymity, said the officer and his co-workers are not interested in pursuing charges.
      "We've spoken to the officers involved and none of them wanted to proceed," one police administrator said. "They are all under the impression that what happened was out of emotion, not intent."
      Walker said that within the last two weeks, a judge reduced Tyson's probation obligations and allowed the boxer to report his whereabouts to Indiana authorities by telephone once a month. At a minimum, he said that leniency will be re-considered.
      A little more than a year ago, Tyson was the subject of sexual assault allegations filed by a woman concerning an incident in a Chicago nightclub. While a subsequent police investigation could gather no evidence to support the allegations, Walker said probation administrators were worried about Tyson's presence in the bar. After they discussed their concerns with Tyson, the fighter agreed to modify his behavior.
      "There are some administrative things we can do, and there are some voluntary things we could do," Walker said. "For example, when he had some problems in Chicago a year or so ago, while there were never any formal charges filed, we ended up saying 'Hey, Mike, you shouldn't be in bars because there is the potential for disaster.' "
      Tyson apologized to virtually everyone associated with the fight during a nationally televised news conference Monday afternoon. He said he expects to be penalized severely by the Nevada Athletic Commission for his actions, and explained that he snapped after being head-butted by Holyfield in the first round.
      Also, Minor said police will continue investigating the cause of a post-fight stampede inside the MGM Grand Hotel that injured 45 people. Thousands of pedestrians started running and shoving toward hotel exits at 10:35 p.m. after they heard what they thought was gunfire.
      Police have since said the sounds were probably not gunfire, but instead noises that resembled shots, such as a champagne bottle breaking or steel barricades overturning.
      Minor said 11 arrests were made by police in connection with the fight. Five of those arrests involved disorderly conduct and scuffles inside the MGM Garden Arena, where the boxing match took place. The others occurred as police attempted to quell the panic in the hotel lobby, main elevator corridors and exits.
      Clark County Undersheriff Richard Winget praised the work of the more than 240 officers and MGM security who worked the fight.
      "I'm very, very proud of their work," Winget said. "They showed an incredible amount of professionalism and restraint given the circumstances. When you look at other fights that turn ugly, like this one did, you begin to appreciate the job that was done."