Boxing: Mike Tyson's chances of fulfilling his world title appointment with Lennox Lewis in Las Vegas in April hung in the balance last night with one of the men who will tomorrow decide his immediate fate promising to keep "an open mind".

After last Tuesday's press conference brawl in New York, Tyson has to convince the Nevada State Athletic Commissioners that he is capable of becoming a reformed character if he is to get a licence to fight the world champion in Las Vegas where the World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation titles would be at stake.

Tyson will also learn this week if prosecutors are to file sexual assault charges sought by Las Vegas police stemming from allegations made by a Nevada woman.

Luther Mack, the Nevada commission chairman, said yesterday that his vote would depend less on the specifics of the New York incident, or the rape allegations, than on Tyson's character and plans for the future.

"The crucial decision for me is what's going to happen down the road, no matter where he's at," Mack said. "Is he going to change his behavior? It's going to take some other commitment beyond the verbal stuff. He's going to have to come up with some kind of programme this time.

"I don't know what to expect. But this is a difficult time to be considering this. I didn't expect that thing (in New York) to happen. That was a shock, an irritation to me. But I'm going to keep an open mind."

If Tyson were unable to fight in Las Vegas, he could try to move the bout with Lewis to another venue and apply for a licence from another jurisdiction. The WBC has said it would sponsor the championship wherever it was held.

Evander Holyfield, whose ear was partly bitten off by Tyson, yesterday said the licence should be granted. Of the New York brawl, he said: "I don't think that would ever have happened if that bodyguard hadn't put his hand on him (Tyson).Lewis and Rahman, they got into fisticuffs and nobody asked to take their licence."