Tyson friends, foes consider NAC penalty fair

      Many citizens took the opportunity to address the Nevada Athletic Commission Wednesday about its decision to revoke Mike Tyson's boxing license and fine him $3 million. But the person Tyson disfigured in the June 28 bout at the MGM Grand Garden had nothing to say.
      World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, who lost a portion of his right ear when he was bitten by Tyson in their highly anticipated rematch, declined to comment to reporters in South Africa, where he is on a tour sponsored by a soft drink company.
      His attorney, Jim Thomas, spoke briefly to the commission before its decision and said later Holyfield wasn't concerned about seeing Tyson punished.
      "Evander has forgiven Mike, and he's no longer looking back; he's looking forward," Thomas said. "I can't imagine Evander would concern himself with the decision. I'm sure he accepts whatever the commission decides is the appropriate punishment."
      That punishment was the harshest the commission could legally enforce. The revocation goes into effect when Tyson is formally served with the papers, which is likely to be sometime this week. He could reapply for his boxing license one year after the date the revocation begins, but there is no guarantee the commission will grant it to him.
      Muhammad Siddeeq, Tyson's spiritual advisor and one of the persons influential in his becoming a Muslim, praised the commission for its decision.
      He spoke during the hearing and said he would "appeal to your sense of fairness and mercy." After the hearing, Siddeeq said he felt the commission had done its job, and Tyson would learn from the experience.
      "In view of the options they had, to give him a (penalty) that allows him in a year to come back and reapply is wonderful," Siddeeq said.
      Siddeeq said he has spoken to Tyson several times since the fight and said Tyson has felt better since his apology June 30.
      Siddeeq described Tyson as "at peace" and said the former champion was prepared to make amends for his mistake.
      "The apology was very cathartic for Mike," Siddeeq said. "He poured out his heart and soul, and I think it relieved him. He felt better, he looked better, his spirit was better. ... That was God working in him. This is why I'm comfortable with what has occurred.
      "It's not that I wanted to see Mike punished. I didn't want to see any pain (inflicted) on him or money taken from him, but I'm comfortable that there was a sincere effort on the part of this commission to be just. If they maintain that kind of thinking when Mike comes back before them, then Mike will have an opportunity (to box) again, because I believe Mike will rise to the occasion and prove to them he is worthy of being given consideration."
      Thomas' role on behalf of Holyfield was to ensure that the commission gave consideration to the damage that Tyson's bites did to boxing's image, he said. Thomas said Holyfield did not seek retribution for the acts, but wanted to preserve the integrity of the sport.
      "We simply ask that your decision is based upon not the interests of any individual but upon the best interests of the sport of boxing," Thomas said to the commission.
      Former boxing manager Akbar Muhammad, who called himself a "brother of Mike Tyson in the Islamic faith," said the decision was fair. And he called upon Tyson to turn his life around and be true to the tenets of his religion.
      "My suggestion to Mike Tyson in this public forum is that what he needs to do is make his pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, and he needs to consult with the Lord," Muhammad said.