LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, JULY 7: Fighting in other nations to escape a possible United States boxing ban might not be possible for Mike Tyson because he remains on probation from a rape conviction until 1999.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission meets here on Wednesday to consider, what punishment to impose on Tyson for biting off a piece of Evander Holyfield's right ear during their heavyweight title bout last week.

A suspension is expected and new laws all but ensure every state could follow Nevada's lead and ban Tyson from boxing.

The ruling would not stop Tyson from fighting in other nations.

A German promoter has even offered Tyson a chance to fight there no matter what. But the former champion might not be able to leave the United States.Tyson remains on probation after a 1992 rape conviction until March 25, 1999. He would need the permission of Indiana Court officials to leave the United States for any reason.

``To leave the country, he would have to seek permission from the court,'' said George Walker, Tyson's probation officer.

Should he be denied permission to travel outside his homeland, any United States ban would have far greater impact.

Whether Tyson would merit permission to fight else where is doubtful after his oral attack on Holyfield. A condition of his early release is proper behaviour and there was some question whether or not his biting and post-fight punch of a policeman constituted parole violations.

Neither Holyfield nor the policemen have pressed any charges against Tyson, although the Nevada attorney general's office, is among the parties that will testify here on Wednesday It has asked Tyson be stripped of his boxing license rather than suspended.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.