Sex assault charge against Mike Tyson

Police are investigating a woman's allegations that former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson sexually assaulted her in the California resort town of Big Bear City last week, officials said on Saturday.

"There was an assault charge made," said Cindy Beavers, a spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Police say the unidentified woman alleged that Tyson raped her on July 16 at a rented house in Big Bear, 70 miles (110 km) east of Los Angeles, where he was training. They said she was treated at a local hospital and released.

Darrow Soll, Tyson's attorney in Phoenix, Arizona, said in a statement that he was aware of the allegation leveled against his client but that it was "without merit."

"We're hopeful the authorities will conduct a thorough and complete investigation which we expect will clear Mr. Tyson of any wrongdoing," he said.

Tyson, 35, was jailed for three years in 1992 after he was convicted of raping an 18-year-old contestant in the Miss Black America pageant.

Beavers said police had not yet interviewed Tyson, who is in Phoenix continuing his training ahead of a fight against Danish boxer Brian Nielsen in Copenhagen on Sept. 8.

"Investigators will at some point contact Tyson or his attorney and hopefully schedule an interview with him before submitting the case to the district attorney's office," Beavers said.

Soll said the fighter would continue his training schedule and "is eager to compete and prevail in September."

Tyson would not be available for comment, he said.

The New York Post quoted Tyson on Saturday as saying he did not know about the charge. "I'm not familiar with any allegations," the boxer said.