Professor of Law Alan M. Dershowitz will represent former heavy-weight champion Mike Tyson in an appeal of his rape conviction earlier this month, ABC News reported last night.

Several Boston television news programs also reported the development. Tyson is scheduled to be sentenced on March 27.

Dershowitz could not be reached to confirm the report.

Dershowitz, who is known for his handling of high-profile clients such as Claus von Bulow and Leona Helmsley, discussed the Tyson trial during an appearance on the Dennis Miller Show on Thursday night.

On the show, Dershowitz called the verdict against Tyson "unjust." He criticized the court for prohibiting testimony from three witnesses who would have spoken favorably of Tyson.

"We'll never know the truth," Dershowitz said. "Americans want to know the truth. They don't want out on a technicality."

But Dershowitz's main concern during the late night TV talk show-show was Republican presidential candidate Patrick J. Buchanan, whom he called "anti-women, anti-Black, anti-gay, anti-Jewish, anti-Hispanic, anti-everyone" in a telephone interview early yesterday.

Dershowitz referred to Buchanan as "the primary silent issue of the day" and warned that the media "are reluctant to attack one of their own."

On the show, Dershowitz attacked Jewish leaders for being "afraid to rock the boat" and asked all Americans "to get together and say he cannot be president."

"Don't vote for him as a protest vote," he said. "Vote for Mickey Mouse if you want to protest [President George] Bush."

Dershowitz challenged students in particular to respond to Buchanan's candidacy. In the Crimson interview, he said, "College and university students are particularly at fault. Whether liberal or conservative, students should be protesting him."

Dershowitz said in the interview that he enjoyed his time on the show. "It was fun. It's always fun. Dennis ,[Miller] is a bright guy." He mentionedreceiving a free bathrobe as an added perk.

But he said he had the most fun backstage. "Itwas more interesting off the air. [Miller] askedmore about cases and teaching," he said. "It's funkibitzing in the green room."

Dershowitz said he hoped to return to Miller'sshow. Dershowitz, who has been on David Lettermantwice, said he has no talk-show plans in the nearfuture. "I turn down 90 percent of the offers," hesaid.

On Miller's show, Dershowitz followed actorsJames Coburn and Corbin Bernsen of L.A.Law. Bernsen, Dershowitz observed, "lookedmore like a lawyer than I did.