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. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek