Tyson's home severely damaged by blaze

A blaze to the home of former world heavyweight boxing

A blaze to the home of former world heavyweight boxing

champion Mike Tyson's home caused $1.5 million in damagebut five occupants of the home escaped the fireunharmed.

Tyson's wife, two of their children and his in-lawsescaped the fire without injury, Tyson said in astatement issued in Las Vegas, where he is training for a planned fight against Nigeria's David Izon inWashington on June 2nd.

"We are very blessed and thankful that there were noinjuries associated with this incident," said Tyson,who thanked the firefighters and police involved forquick action in preventing greater damage.

READ MORE

Investigators said the fire was believed to have beenstarted accidentally.

It was the second Maryland mishap of the week for starheavyweight boxers. Baltimore's Hasim Rahman, whoknocked out Lennox Lewis a week ago for the world title, was in a car that was struck by another vehicle onWednesday. His wife spent a night in a hospital.

The two fighters might have a date with each othersoon. Tyson's agents are in talks with those of Rahmanabout giving Tyson a chance to regain the World BoxingCouncil and International Boxing Federation crowns.

Should a deal be struck in time, Tyson's fight withIzon could be scrapped.

AFP