NEWARK, N.J., April 11 (UPI) -- Mike Tyson, who has fought only once since being pounded by Lennox Lewis in Memphis last June, will reportedly return to the ring June 21 at Continental Airlines Arena.
The Newark Star Ledger reported Tyson is set to fight on the undercard of the WBC heavyweight champion.
Tyson, however, has had his license suspended in New Jersey and other states for erratic behavior in and out of the ring, including the infamous battle against Evander Holyfield during which Tyson bit off part of Holyfield's ear.
Before he can fight a yet-to-be-named opponent on June 21, Tyson faces another round with the State Athletic Control Board, which grants boxing licenses in New Jersey. During a 1998 hearing in Trenton, Tyson cursed at state officials who questioned whether he was mentally fit to fight.
Lewis (40-2-1, 31 KOs) has been idle since his dominant eighth-round knockout of Tyson. He is expected to defend his title against Canadian Kirk Johnson or No. 1 contender Vitali Klitschko.
The 37-year-old Lewis had been seeking a rematch with Tyson, who despite being convincingly beaten in the first encounter, still would be the most lucrative opponent.
Tyson (50-4, 44 KOs) returned to the ring on Feb. 22 in Memphis and had little trouble in knocking out Clifford Etienne just 49 seconds into the opening round. After the fight, Tyson said he would need at least one other fight before a rematch with Lewis.
The 36-year-old Tyson has not held a title since November 1996, when he suffered an 11th-round technical knockout against Holyfield. Tyson was disqualified for biting Holyfield's ear in the rematch in June 1997 and had six fights after that before meeting Lewis. He never has lost a non-title bout.
