Tyson, King may split

WASHINGTON, February 4: Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson wants to split with charismatic promoter Don King, according to reports here today. Tyson, currently banned from boxing after the infamous ear-biting incident with Evander Holyfield last June, is believed to owe several million dollars in tax to the US Government, and is apparently blaming King for his plight.

He is said to have written a letter to King and managers John Hirne and Rory holloway declaring his desire to break his links with the trio, according to newspaper reports. Tyson was also reported to have been involved in a violent incident with King at the weekend in a Los Angeles car park, with witnesses claiming Tyson slapped the wirey-haired promoter in the face. King played down the alleged spat, saying, quot;I love Mike and he knows it, but there are often outside forces and individuals who want to exploit his frustration at not being able to fight because of his suspension.quot;