Haugen's Spouse Arrested -- Boxer: Wife Used Car, Gun In Attack

HENDERSON, Nev. - Karen Haugen, 32, estranged wife of former lightweight boxing champion Greg Haugen, was under investigation of assault with a deadly weapon after Haugen alleged she tried to run over him with her car and shoot him.

She was being held on $9,000 bail in the Henderson city jail.

Police said Karen Haugen was arrested Wednesday afternoon after the incident, which ended with the couple wrestling for a gun in the front yard of Haugen's home while their 7-year-old son watched.

Henderson Police Lt. Ray Moser said Haugen was returning to his home in this Las Vegas suburb when his wife allegedly sped toward him in her car in what seemed to be an effort to run him down.

Haugen dodged the automobile, which slammed into the garage door. Moser said Karen Haugen then backed up and tried to hit the boxer again, this time ramming the car through the kitchen wall.

She then grabbed a gun, which was lying in the front seat of the car, but Haugen wrestled it away from her, Moser said.

Greg Haugen, formerly of Auburn, has custody of the couple's three children. He said he and his wife have been separated for more than a year, since she left him for a friend of his. He said they are in the process of divorcing.

Haugen, who has a record of 34-5-1, won parts of the lightweight title in 1986 and 1991.

His last major fight was against Julio Cesar Chavez in February 1993 in Mexico City. Haugen lost by knockout.