MIKE TYSON apologised last night for biting the ears of WBA champion Evander Holyfield in their title fight on Saturday.

"I apologise to the world, my family and the Nevada State Athletic Commission," said Tyson at the MGM Grand hotel, where two days earlier he was disqualified three rounds into his title rematch with Holyfield.

"I cannot tell why I acted like I did. I just snapped," added the former champion, who said he would seek some sort of therapy to help him deal with the kind of anger that caused the incident.

Tyson, who is 31 today, then asked for forgiveness and pleaded not to be banned from boxing for the rest of his life.

He said he would accept any penalty by state boxing authorities and would not fight efforts to suspend and fine him for biting Holyfield.

Tyson apologised to everyone from the state boxing commission to the judge who sentenced him on his rape conviction and finally to Holyfield.

"It will never happen again. I only ask that you forgive me as you have forgiven other athletes in this sport.

"I cannot tell you why I acted like I did. I can only say I thought I might lose because of a severe cut above my eye and I just snapped."

Tyson read from a prepared four-page statement for four minutes 16 seconds then left without answering questions.

Tyson faces a hearing today by the state commission to consider possible punishment for his actions, which drew worldwide condemnation including from a "horrified" US President Bill Clinton.

"I was wrong and expect to pay the price like a man and I expect the Nevada State Athletic Commission to hand down a severe penalty and I am here to say I will not fight it. I only ask that it's not a penalty for life," said Tyson.

He had previously said he had to "retaliate" as he did because Holyfield was head-butting him and the referee was doing nothing about it.

President Clinton joined in the universal condemnation of Tyson's brutal attack on Holyfield. Clinton, a boxing fan, expressed revulsion at Tyson's actions in biting a chunk-out of Holyfield's ear and said: "I saw the fight and until what happened it was a good fight. But I was horrified by it and I think the American people should be."