Mike Tyson has apologised for his part in the brawl that erupted at a news conference to promote his proposed bout with world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis in Las Vegas on April 6th.
Former champion Tyson was quoted as saying that he would let his fighting in the ring do the talking in future.
Tyson was heavily criticised after the amazing scenes on Tuesday when he stormed towards Lewis, threw a punch at a bodyguard who tried to intervene, and started a 20-man brawl. Tyson also shouted abuse at a reporter who suggested he should be put in a straight-jacket.
"I came to New York to promote a fight that I want and boxing fans want to see. I am not a role model nor Mr politically correct. I am a boxer and from now on I will let my boxing talk for me," Tyson said yesterday.
"There was obviously a miscommunication between our camps with regards to the face-off, and chaos broke out. After our skirmish, I was provoked by a member of the audience who was shouting obscenities at me and I defended myself as I saw fit.
"In the process, things that I said may have offended members of the audience. To these people, I offer my apologies," Tyson said.
Tyson will meet the Nevada State Athletic Commission on Tuesday over whether he will be given a licence to box in Las Vegas, where he was banned in 1997 after biting off part of Evander Holyfield's ear in a world title fight.