NEW YORK May 4: Mike Tyson admitted biting Lennox Lewis’ leg during a news conference melee that led to the loss of the former heavyweight champion’s Nevada conference in New York, but refused to say whether he bit Lewis.

After Tyson was denied a license to face Lewis in Las Vegas, the fighters agreed to a June 8 bout in Memphis, Tenn.

On Friday, Tyson explained himself in statement released through spokesman Scott Miranda.

“I said I bit Lennox because that is what everyone wanted to hear. I will say anything to get under his skin,” the statement said. “But on June 8, flesh will not be enough. I will take Lennox’s title, his soul and smear his pompous brains all over the ring when I hit him.”

Tyson was suspended from boxing in 1997 for biting Evander Holyfield’s ear during a bout in Las Vegas.—APP/AP