LONDON, Jan 23: Mike Tyson plumbed new depths on Tuesday by biting world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis on the leg at a New York news conference designed to promote the richest fight in history.

The former undisputed world champion, who bit a chunk out of Evander Holyfield’s ear in a 1997 title fight, started an all-out brawl on the stage after clashing with the Britons’ bodyguards.

“Mike actually bit his leg,” exclaimed Lewis’s business manager Adrian Ogun.

Tyson was submerged and Lewis pulled off his podium as security staff and members of both fighters’ camps waded in to the melee.

Lewis, his jacket ripped down the right hand side, left the arena but an agitated Tyson continued to scuffle and then began to abuse the media.

“You bitch, you coward, you faggot,” he screamed at one reporter.

Now the Nevada State Athletic Commission will decide whether Tyson will be granted a licence for the fight scheduled for April 6 in Las Vegas.

The 35-year-old American, who is also currently under investigation by the Las Vegas police for an alleged rape must convince at least three of the five members next Tuesday that he is mentally fit to fight.

“It (the brawl) will be another factor the commission will have to take under consideration,” said Marc Ratner, executive director of the commission.

“They can certainly ask him questions about it at the licensing hearing next Tuesday. They can ask him all kinds of questions.”

Lewis, holder of the World Boxing Council (WBC) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) titles, will now consider whether it is worthwhile proceeding with the fight he believes will confirm he is the best heavyweight of his generation.

The 36-year-old Briton has already indicated he would retire if he defeated Tyson.

“I will evaluate my options when the relevant boxing commissions have ruled,” Lewis said.

WBC president Jose Sulaiman, who was knocked briefly unconscious when he cracked his head against a table during the melee, said there could be no repetition of Tuesday’s chaos.

“This has happened too many times in boxing and nobody has taken any action,” he said. Sulaiman, 70, was examined in hospital for neck injuries before being released.

PANEL TO DECIDE: Five men will decide the immediate fate of Tyson.