Tyson career in the balance

      If Mike Tyson receives a significant suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission, it would virtually spell the end of his career, three of boxing's leading trainers said Wednesday.
      Angelo Dundee, Eddie Futch and Emanuel Steward, arguably the sport's three most prominent trainers, agreed Tyson's career could be effectively ended by a commission-imposed layoff of two or more years. (Click here to see all of today's stories.)
      "One year off is bad enough. Two years is worse. Three years, forget it, because Tyson is a self-destruct type of individual," Dundee said from his gym in Hollywood, Fla.
      Tyson faces a disciplinary hearing before the commission next week for his actions in Saturday's World Boxing Association heavyweight championship fight.
      The hearing, which Tyson reportedly will attend, is set Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. at the Las Vegas City Hall Council Chambers.
      The commission can choose one of a variety of penalties, ranging from a fine to a lifetime ban.
      "Whatever time element there is, it's got to hurt," Dundee said. "He is not the same fighter who entered incarceration. Being in prison like he was eroded a lot of his skills. He was never the same fighter when he came out. ..."
      "Who knows what could happen with him (during a layoff). He is not an ordinary human being like you and me."
      Dundee has trained numerous world champions in his long career, but he is best known for his work with Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard.
      Tyson served a three-year prison term for a rape conviction in 1992 and did not box again until 1995.
      "Being incarcerated ruined him," Dundee said. "Everybody tried to compare him to Muhammad (Ali, who was barred from boxing for more than three years in the late 1960s for refusing induction into the Army).
      "But you have to remember, (Tyson) couldn't get out. You've got to do road work. I don't care if you do 10,000 pushups. He could never get finely tuned. I don't think you will see the same Tyson again. I just think it is gone."
      Futch said an imposed layoff of two or three years would wipe out Tyson's career.
      "His career would be seriously damaged with a one-year suspension," Futch said. "A longer suspension than one year would definitely end his career. The reflexes won't wait. We all lose them as we get older. Without competition, they can't be sharp."
      Futch, 85, has trained five world heavyweight champions -- Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Larry Holmes, Michael Spinks and Trevor Berbick.
      "His previous incarceration had a big effect on him because his reflexes weren't what they were when he went in. In his first three fights coming out, he didn't have anybody throwing punches at him, so you couldn't tell where his reflexes were. I didn't know how much Tyson had left."
      Steward agreed.
      "I personally think two years would virtually end his career. Because of his age and style of fighting, it would be like almost finalizing his career," Steward said.
      Tyson turned 31 Monday, the day he held a news conference apologizing for biting Holyfield's ears.
      "One year is about enough for him because of his age and style of fighting. He has that youth and aggressive-style of fighting, as I call it," Steward said.
      "Usually, at 27, they are through. Joe Frazier and Gil Turner, those type of fighters don't last too long. They have to have extra-keen reflexes. As they get older, it becomes very difficult for them."