NOW Blasts Decision to Allow Mike Tyson to Fight in D.C.

February 19, 2002

"I'm appalled that the D.C. Boxing Commission granted Mike Tyson a license to box in the District. And I'm outraged that Mayor Anthony Williams supported the license, even going so far as to say that a Tyson fight could have a 'very positive impact on the city'," said National Organization for Women (NOW) Membership Vice President Terry O'Neill. "Allowing a convicted rapist — someone charged with numerous counts of abuse and other violence — to headline an event in the nation's capital is an insult to women everywhere. A Tyson fight would certainly not have a positive impact on local rape and abuse survivors."

Texas, Nevada and Colorado all denied Tyson a boxing license. Though the Georgia Boxing Commission granted Tyson a license, state Governor Roy Barner opposed the action, calling Tyson a "sexual predator".

"I encourage D.C. Mayor Williams to reverse his position and follow the example of Georgia's governor," O'Neill said.

In 1991 Tyson was convicted of rape — for which he served a meager three year sentence. In 1997 he bit off a piece of fellow boxer Evander Holyfield's ear. Nevada authorities are currently investigating rape allegations against Tyson from November 2000 and September 2001, and are recommending that charges be filed for the most recent count.

"NOW recognizes the large number of hotel and restaurant workers who lost their jobs after tourism declined post-September 11," O'Neill said. "Despite hard economic times, a violent sex offender should not be portrayed as the hero for D.C.'s laid-off workers."

"Mayor Williams and his administration need to be looking for less polarizing and more women-friendly, family-friendly ways to bring revenue to the city," O'Neill said. "Surely Mayor Williams does not want to be known for turning his back on violence against women."

Click here to see photos of NOW activists protesting the D.C. Boxing Commission's decision to grant Mike Tyson a license to fight in the city.

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