Mosque responds to charge

      It's become a kind of undercard matchup: Mike Tyson vs. The Mosque.
      It started Monday during a news conference at Don King's home, when Tyson said a small Las Vegas mosque had bilked him out of $250,000. The boxer asserted that the money was intended for the construction of a new mosque and none had been built.
      The mosque, Masjid As-Sabur, struck back Wednesday afternoon, issuing a press release calling inaccurate Tyson's contention that he had been conned.
      The statement, released by mosque representative Akbar Muhammad, read in part:
      "The intent of this statement is to inform brother Mike Tyson and all concerned parties that the obligations in which we were entrusted are being fulfilled. The plans for building the mosque have been basically finalized. However, the delay of this construction project was due to the change in administration of Masjid As-Sabur.
      "The funds donated by brother Mike Tyson, along with other believing Muslims who eagerly donated in this great and worthy cause, are currently in the building fund account in an established financial institution."
      The release also listed four area construction companies that have been hired to work on the project, and asked Tyson to stop claiming he'd been conned.
      There was no immediate response from the Tyson camp. However, on Tuesday, Don King Productions director of public relations Michael Marley was asked about Tyson's comments and responded, "I don't get involved with matters of religion. Mr. Tyson said what he said."
      -- SIMPLY PUT -- During a typical long (but often hilarious) news conference on Wednesday at the MGM Grand Garden, the most brief speech was given by Tyson trainer Richie Giachetti.
      After being introduced by Don King, Giachetti strode to the podium and shouted, "We are ready!" Then he sat down.
      -- WHO'S HE ROOTING FOR? -- Gene Kilroy, Muhammad Ali's former business manager, refuted reports that Ali favored Holyfield in the first Holyfield-Tyson fight in November 1996.
      Ali is said to have told Holyfield to kick Tyson's rear end, using more colorful language.
      "That's false," Kilroy said. "Mike is closer to Ali than Holyfield is. Muhammad would never have said that."
      Tyson was asked about the issue on Monday and assumed Ali had said just that.
      "Maybe (Ali) likes Evander or something," he said. "Maybe some day I'll feel like that towards some fighter."
      -- KING FOR A DAY -- The most curious comment from King was in response to a question about how the Tyson-Holyfield rematch ranks among the greatest heavyweight fights in history.
      King digressed for several minutes, eventually describing his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
      And speaking of halls of fame, King came to bat for Pete Rose.
      "I'm dedicated to getting Pete Rose into the baseball Hall of Fame," King said.