MIKE TYSON will stray from his world title unification quest to fight Evander Holyfield next while boxing sorts out its political problems and finds a to a single heavyweight Champion.

"Boxing has become so political. The only ones who suffer are the fighters, myself more than anyone,"

Tyson said. "I think it comes down To financial (reasons). That's why we have so many champions".

Former champion Holyfield has passed new and extensive medical tests sought by Nevada boxing officials and is expected to be granted a licence next Friday to fight Tyson on November 9th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

"Holyfield is in excellent health. Based upon our evaluation, no restrictions should be placed on Holyfield's activities, including boxing," a Mayo Clinic report said.

Holyfield was found to have a faulty left heart ventricle in 1994. He was tested and approved to fight Riddick Bowe last year but looked tired and was stopped in the eighth round.

The World Boxing Council champion Tyson and World Boxing Association champion Bruce Seldon meet in Las Vegas tonight, the first time two heavyweight champions have fought since Tyson unified the crown in 1987 by beating Tony Tucker.

In theory, the winner would fight the International Boxing Federation champion - reigning Michael Moorer or his mandatory next foe, South Africa's Frans Botha - and the title would be reunified.

Keep dreaming.

Tyson Seldon is only for the WBA crown because Britain's Lennox Lewis is the court ordered next challenger for the WBC title. Lewis was paid $4 million to allow the Tyson Seldon fight to take place.

Tyson will make only $15 million for the Seldon fight, a low sum due in part to his 22 to 1 favourite status over unheralded Seldon, who takes home a career best $5 million.

Winning the WBA crown would ensure Tyson remains a world champion even if his WBC crown is stripped. In the deal with Lewis Tyson's promoter Don King agreed Tyson will give up the WBC title unless a Tyson Lewis fight is made.

"They are using all sorts of legal gymnastics to prevent our deciding it in the ring," King said. "Mike Tyson wants to fight Lennox Lewis. If Lennox Lewis wants to fight Tyson, we are giving him the opportunity."

King claims he has offered Lewis $18 million but broadcast rights are a stumbling block.

Dino Duva, who promotes Lewis, said chances of a Lewis Tyson fight are so slim that a purse bid is scheduled for September 17th for a Lewis Oliver McCall bout to claim the WBC crown Tyson would vacate.

"The only way Mike Tyson will fight Lennox Lewis is if he is fighting him for Lennox's WBC title," Duva said. "The only reason Don is spreading the word is he wants to show Tyson he is working."

Lewis has the legal upper hand even though the WBC wants Tyson to keep the title. WBC president Jose Suliman fawned over Tyson and gave King two awards here this week in a show of support.

After Holyfield, Tyson is likely to fight the Moorer Botha winner for the IBF title and then look to the WBC crown. A Lewis McCall winner might then be tested by Riddick Bowe seen as an eventual ultimate foe for Tyson.

Bowe is set to fight Andrew Golota on December 14th in Atlantic City in a rematch of the New York fight that ended in a ringside riot. Bowe was fined and manager Rock Newman suspended until next August for the incident.

Tyson has also hinted that his reign could be brief. He claims to be considering quitting boxing within two years.