Jury to try Tyson assault charge

A jury was today being selected to try former world heavyweight champion boxer Mike Tyson on assault charges.

Tyson has denied attacking two men outside a hotel in New York last summer.

Meanwhile, the two men Tyson allegedly attacked were also appearing in court today to face trial on charges that they menaced the boxer.

Lawyers for Tyson have claimed that he acted in self-defence.

A defence bid to have the charges against Tyson thrown out in December failed.

In their application, Tyson’s legal team said the two men menaced the boxer outside the hotel in downtown Brooklyn on June 21 at 5.30am.

The men allegedly said: “You’ve got fists, we’ve got guns.”

Tyson is accused of then chasing the pair, who were not armed, and knocking one of them out.

Tyson is not required to be in court for today’s hearing.

The proceedings, in Brooklyn Criminal Court, will focus on selecting a jury which the judge is satisfied has not been prejudiced by pre-trial publicity.

Tyson has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanour assault, harassment and disorderly conduct. If convicted, he faces up to a year in prison.

Tyson served three years in jail after being convicted of rape in 1992.

In 1997 boxing authorities fined him after he bit a chunk off Evander Holyfield’s ear during a fight.