Tyson wants to work in Ibragimov's corner

Mike Tyson has applied to work the corner of heavyweight Sultan Ibragimov during his WBO title bout against Shannon Briggs on Saturday night in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Photo: Tyson wants to work in Ibragimov's corner

Tyson sent an incomplete application to the New Jersey Athletic Control Board - the government agency that governs boxing in the state - on Tuesday and will need to answer two more questions before he is considered for a license as a second in the undefeated Russian's corner.

The former heavyweight champion has been an unofficial adviser to Ibragimov in the past and attended Ibragimov's Dec. 15, 2005 knockout of Lance Whitaker.

The application left blank which boxer Tyson was applying to assist, and whether Tyson knew of any medical conditions affecting the fighter.

Nicholas Lembo, counsel for the NJACB, said there was still time for Tyson to be considered for the license if he quickly refiles a complete application.

"We have not considered any action on it because it is incomplete," Lembo said Wednesday. "It was simply returned for completion. Once it is submitted in complete form, there will be a consideration of the application for a license."

Tyson needs permission by a judge to travel outside Arizona and California while his drug charges are pending.

"Whether or not it is granted depends on the information provided," Lembo said.

Mario Costa, one of Ibragimov's trainers, has known Tyson since 1983. He said Tyson was granted permission to attend his daughter's high school graduation in Washington on Friday. Costa said Tyson would then travel to Atlantic City for the fight.

"Sultan gets confidence when he sees him," Costa said. "Before the Whitaker fight, in the dressing room, Mike was showing Sultan what to do and Sultan was excited he would do that."

Last Thursday, Tyson was allowed to leave Arizona for addiction treatment in California. He faces charges of drug possession and driving under the influence of drugs following an arrest in Scottsdale last year.

Attorney David Chesnoff said Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Sherry Stephens has allowed Tyson to travel outside those states if he gives three days' notice and gets approval from county prosecutors.