Pubdate: Fri, 19 Jan 2001
Source: Detroit Free Press (MI)
Copyright: 2001 Detroit Free Press
Contact:  http://www.freep.com/
Forum: http://www.freep.com/webx/cgi-bin/WebX
Author: STEVE CROWE

NO TYSON FINE FOR MARIJUANA

State Nailed Boxer For Missed Test, Not Result

Mike Tyson didn't get special treatment this week when he was
penalized $205,000 and suspended 90 days by the State of Michigan. He
got the same strange treatment David Sebastian has been trying to get
changed.

Sebastian is chairman of the Michigan Athletic Board of Control, which
voted, 6-1, with two members absent, to accept Tyson's stipulation
that he refused to submit a urine sample before his Oct. 20 win over
Andrew Golota at the Palace.

Tyson took a post-fight urine test that showed traces of marijuana,
but the board did not discipline him on that transgression.

The sanction included $200,000 for charities to be selected by the
state.

Why such a seemingly meaningless penalty? The maximum the state can
fine a fighter is $5,000. Why a suspension of just 90 days, when Tyson
has no fights planned in the near future?

Some charge that it was to get the charitable donation from Tyson,
while not interfering with a possible bout against WBC/IBF heavyweight
champ Lennox Lewis.

"That is utterly ridiculous," Sebastian said. "The maximum time of
suspension we have ever given anyone for testing positive for
marijuana or for refusal to take that test is 90 days.

"Some folks have said, 'Oh, he isn't going to fight until 120 days
later, so it doesn't do anything.' Well, you know what? We can't guess
that for every boxer that comes before us."

Lewis -- openly intent on tangling with Tyson fairly soon -- says his
next title defense will be April 21, probably against Hasim Rahman of
the United States or David Izon of Nigeria.

As is routine in Michigan, Tyson was asked to submit the sample during
a pre-fight physical exam on the night of the bout. Despite refusing
to submit a sample, he was allowed to fight because under state law,
"the inspectors are not empowered to prevent a fight from going
forward in the event that a boxer refuses to take a test," Sebastian
said.

"If that refusal occurs, the remedy is subsequent investigation by the
state and sanction by the commission."

It generally takes two to three weeks for the state to receive test
results. A formal complaint was filed against Tyson on Nov. 15,
beginning a series of negotiations with his attorneys that resulted in
the agreement revealed Tuesday.

The board also levied $500 fines and 30-day suspensions Tuesday
against four other fighters who tested positive for marijuana. No wins
were forfeited.

A more serious penalty would be levied, Sebastian said, if cocaine had
been found in any urine samples.

"The commission has in the past assessed harsher sanctions for cocaine
than marijuana, for rather obvious reasons," Sebastian said. "The
thought is that someone using cocaine is perhaps more progressed in
their drug use than someone simply using marijuana."

Last year, Sebastian authored state legislation to toughen boxing
regulations in several areas. That legislation, which is pending, was
introduced by then-majority floor leader of the Michigan House Andrew
Raczowski, who represents the 37th District (Farmington Hills).

"The current statutes with respect to the sport are simply
antiquated," Sebastian said. "What we're pushing for would solve a
host of the ills currently in place under our regulatory structure."

Sebastian hopes for something similar to regulations in Nevada, which
can withhold purses and take immediate action if a fighter refuses to
provide a pre-fight urine sample.
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