LV judge declines to pick a fight over suit vs. Tyson

The next round in the competing class action lawsuits against suspended boxer Mike Tyson over the premature, bite-induced end to his championship fight against Evander Holyfield a year ago may involve the judges.

Lawsuits purporting to represent everyone who attended the fight at the MGM Grand or watched on pay-per-view have been filed in Las Vegas, where the bout occurred on June 28, 1997, and in New York, where some of the defendants -- including promoter Don King -- live.

Attorneys who filed their case in Las Vegas were asking District Judge Gene Porter on Monday to take command of the case and tell the New York judge, in essence, to butt out. The lawyers said the case rightfully belongs in the location where the fight occurred, although a total of 30 lawsuits have been filed in 16 states so far.

In the end, Porter opted not to pick a fight. He said he would continue presiding over the case in Las Vegas and the parallel case will continue in New York.

He explained he had neither the legal authority nor the inclination to issue an order affecting the New York court.

Tyson's attorneys said the real issue in Monday's hearing involved the possibility the New York court would rule quickly on a motion to dismiss the case -- a decision that could have an affect on the other lawsuits. There also is the possibility the New York case could be settled and that would undercut the Nevada case.

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