Mike Tyson, the former world heavyweight champion, faces trial on October 19th in Maryland on assault charges stemming from an incident on August 31st, his attorney Paul Kemp said yesterday.
Tyson faces two counts brought privately by two men who said the suspended boxer attacked them after a minor accident in rush-hour traffic in Rockville, Maryland.
Abmielec Saucedo, aged 62, filed a complaint saying he "saw stars" when Tyson punched him in the face after the three-car accident. He also corroborated a complaint filed by Richard Hardick, aged 50, who said the boxer kicked him in the groin.
Kemp said he was "leaning towards a trial without a jury for the moment". If convicted in the Montgomery County District Court, Tyson would face a maximum of 10 years' imprisonment and a $2,500 fine on each count.
Tyson, whose career was interrupted when he served three years in jail after being convicted of rape, was banned from the ring for biting Evander Holyfield's ear during their title fight in Las Vegas in June 1997.
He applied to the Nevada State Athletic Commission last month for the reinstatement of his boxing license. The commission is waiting for psychiatric reports before making its decision.
