TYSON: KNEE DEEP AGAIN; LATE HIT INJURIES NORRIS; FIGHT RULED NO CONTEST.

Byline: Michael Rosenthal Staff Writer

A disgusted woman who had paid God-knows how much to see the fight summed it perfectly:

``Well, that was a &%$ waste of time. And, of course, Mike Tyson made it happen.''

This one, between Tyson and Orlin Norris, wasn't on par with the ear-biting incident that ended his second fight with Evander Holyfield. What could be? However, it had that remarkably bizarre quality we've come to associate with Tyson.

The fight had gone only one round when Tyson landed a left hook about a second or maybe two after the bell, Norris fell awkwardly on his back, wrenched his right knee and said he couldn't continue.

It was ruled a no contest because of what referee Richard Steele called an ``accidental foul.''

That was that.

Tyson's latest comeback fight fizzled almost before it started before a incredulous crowd of 12,081 at the MGM Grand on Saturday night.

The moment Jimmy Lennon Jr. announced the result, a tremendous chorus of boos reverberated in the spacious indoor arena followed by angry chants and nasty comments that shouldn't be printed here.

Tyson, convinced Norris could continue because he had walked to his corner with little or no problem, was himself disgusted.

``Some people have more to (complain) about than I do,'' he said in a calm moment. ``The reality of the situation is that he could've got up and continued to fight.

``I put the heat on him and he didn't want to continue.''

The first . . . er, only round was largely uneventful.

Tyson (46-3, with 40 knockouts) did some of the things his trainers had hoped he'd do after a nine-month layoff because of a three-month stint in prison - fight relatively patiently, move his head, jab.

He also threw the big bombs we've also come to associate with him. Not one hit its mark, although it seemed only a matter of time before one did.

Norris (50-5, 27 KOs) also did what he set out to do: punch on the move, don't stand in one place too long as Francois Botha did when Tyson knocked him out in his last fight, in January.

It looked as if it might be an interesting fight. And then it was over.

Referee Richard Steele, himself no stranger to controversy, had warned Tyson about hitting on the break. And then Tyson - who said he didn't hear the bell - did it again moments after the first three minutes expired, knocking Norris flat.

At first, it appeared Norris was hurt by the punch, but he quickly got to his feet and went to his corner, where he sat down on his stool.

Steele then two points away from Tyson for the foul, and it appeared the fight would continue.

However, Norris' knee wouldn't apparently wouldn't allow it and the fight was stopped.

Tyson, perhaps not aware of exactly what transpired, reacted angrily and was surrounded by his handlers, who calmed him down as security guards - ready for anything at a Tyson fight - quickly surrounded the ring to keep order.

Dan Goossen, Tyson's promoter, said he was uncertain what would become of the fighters' purses, $10 million for Tyson, $800,000 for Norris. The Neveda State Athletic Commission will decide that.

Tyson, convinced the world is against him, suspects he'll lose it.

``I'm tired, man. I'm just tired of all the (garbage),'' he said. ``I don't even know if I want to fight any more.''

In preliminary bouts, heavyweight contender David Tua showed former Canadian champion Shane Sutcliffe why he's considered one of the most dangerous fighters in the world, ending their scheduled 10-round bout with one left hook at 1:20 of the second round.

Sutcliffe (21-9-1, 12 KOs), who landed awkwardly on his hands and knees, made it to his feet but referee Jay Nady spared him further punishment by stopping the mismatch.

``I have respect for the guy (Sutcliffe), but I had no respect for his power,'' said Tua, a native of Samoa who fights out of New Zealand.

``The referee did a good job stopping the fight. He was disappointed, but the referee . . . didn't want to see him get hurt.''

Tua (35-1, 20 KOs) is seeking an opportunity to fight the winner of the Nov. 13 Evander Holyfield-Lennox Lewis fight but might not be high on either's list of prospective opponents.

Featherweight contender Augie Sanchez (23-1, 20 KOs) put down Daniel Jimenez (27-8-1, 14 KOs) twice with body punches and Jiminez stayed down the second time.

The scheduled 10-round bout was stopped at 1:41 of the sixth round.

And undefeated junior welterweight contender Zab Judah had an usual evening: He fought two three-round exhibitions against separate fighters.

He dominated both Joaquin Gallardo, whom he dropped, and Manuel Gomez.

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

PHOTO (1 -- color) Referee Richard Steele admonishes Mike Tyson after the ex-champ hit Orlin Norris after the bell.

(2) Orlin Norris sprawls on the canvas after Mike Tyson hit him after the bell to end Round 1.