He is appealing to the New Jersey state boxing commission for a return of his licence.
His licence was revoked by the Nevada authorities on 9 July 1997, after he bit part of the ear of World Champion Evander Holyfield.
The boxer was also fined £2m for the offence.
Tyson, once the youngest ever heavy-weight world champion, was the undisputed world champion before the biting incident.
In his bid to return to the ring, Tyson has the backing of property magnate Donald Trump, whose Las Vegas casinos and hotels did so well when 'Iron Mike' boxed there.
It is said that Mr Trump has two dates on cable television available in the first half of November to broadcast possible fights. So the duo have looked for a commission outside of Nevada to return the licence.
If the New Jersey commission return his licence it will break away from the agreement among the 44-state Association of Boxing Commissions that a ban in one state is upheld in another.
If New Jersey OK his return then other commissions are likely to follow - essentially because he is too valuable an asset to KO.
Marc Ratner, executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, said: "You don't have to be a genius to work out that if Tyson's lawyers are applying to New Jersey it must be because they've been informed they will not be turned down."
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