DATE: Thursday, July 3, 1997                TAG: 9707030016

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B10  EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Editorial 

                                            LENGTH:   31 lines

TOSS TYSON OUT

After Saturday night's cannibalistic freak show in Las Vegas, one thing is clear: They let Mike Tyson out of prison too soon.

In a sport where the object is to pummel your opponent into unconsciousness, it is difficult to criticize a contender for being too violent. But there are rules, and Tyson's behavior during the bout with Evander Holyfield was a disgraceful and frightening display by the ex-con.

Nevada boxing authorities should have convened Sunday morning to ban Tyson from boxing - for life. They should also have their legal counsel working overtime to find a way to lift his entire purse.

But sports officials universally are cowards, too timid and too greedy to tangle with athletic miscreants. As an example of how baseball treats its offenders, witness Roberto Alomar's slap on the wrist last fall after he spat on an umpire.

Since the sport of boxing can seldom be counted on to police its own, Las Vegas prosecutors ought to be pressing criminal charges against Tyson - who is on parole in Indiana - and Holyfield ought to be getting ready to empty the thug's coffers in civil court.

Most important, the public can demand that Tyson never box again. We certainly shouldn't reward him by patronizing any event in which he participates.

Tyson belongs behind bars: either in prison or a zoo.

The contrast between Tyson and the dignified Holyfield is stark.

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