PHOENIX - Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson has been indicted for drug possession and driving under the influence of drugs by an Arizona grand jury, authorities said on Friday.

Tyson, 40, faces two counts each of felony drug possession and misdemeanour driving under the influence in connection with his December 29 arrest in Scottsdale, Arizona, Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas said.

Thomas said he was seeking prison time for the former boxer, who has a long record of legal troubles. If convicted, Tyson faces more than seven years' imprisonment.

The embattled fighter was taken into custody after nearly colliding his black BMW into a sheriff's car after leaving a nightclub, according to court documents.

He was found with cocaine on him and in his vehicle, police said. In court documents, the arresting officer said Tyson admitted to using cocaine that day and revealed he was addicted to the illegal drug.

Tyson attorney Tom Marlowe could not immediately be reached for comment on Friday.

Tyson served three years in an Indiana prison following a 1992 rape conviction and was sentenced in 1999 to a year in prison after pleading no contest to two misdemeanour assault charges in Maryland. He was released after 3 1/3 months.

The Brooklyn-born power puncher retired from boxing last year, with a 50-6 record that included 44 knockouts, after losing to journeyman Kevin McBride in Washington.