Mike Tyson, Former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Banned From UK

Tyson Discovers He Is Banned From UK
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Former world heavyweight champion boxer Mike Tyson has discovered he is banned from entering the UK.

Tyson, 47, was due in London this week as part of a promotional tour for his new autobiography, Undisputed Truth, which included a photocall with journalists and a book signing.

Tyson even wrote on Twitter on Friday: "So, UK fans, who is brave enough to get in the ring and ask me a question?"

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Tyson is banned from entering the UK

In 1992, Tyson was convicted for the rape of a teenage beauty queen, and served three years of a six-year sentence. He also has convictions for assault, cocaine possession and driving under the influence.

A spokesman for HarperCollins said: "There was a change in the UK immigration law in December 2012 of which we were unaware. For this reason Mike had to change location to Paris to salvage his press obligations for the UK."

Tyson is currently booked in for a British tour for his one-man Broadway show, directed by Spike Lee, which is booked for eight nights in March next year in London, Glasgow and Manchester.

Under the new immigration rules, any person who has been sentenced to more than four year in prison is barred from entering the country.

The explosive boxer was the youngest man ever to become heavyweight champion of the world after he beat Trevor Berbick in 1986 when he was just 20.

But throughout his career he also courted controversy. He bit opponent Evander Holyfield's ear, went bankrupt, lost his four-year-old daughter in a tragic domestic accident, and was jailed.

Tyson in London
Mike Tyson Clothing Range Launch - London(01 of24)
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Mike Tyson launches a new clothing range at Lillywhites sports department store in Piccadilly Circus, central London, where he also hosted an audience with fans. (credit:PA)
Mike Tyson Clothing Range Launch - London(02 of24)
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Mike Tyson launches a new clothing range at Lillywhites sports department store in Piccadilly Circus, central London, where he also hosted an audience with fans. (credit:PA)
Mike Tyson Clothing Range Launch - London(03 of24)
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Mike Tyson launches a new clothing range at Lillywhites sports department store in Piccadilly Circus, central London, where he also hosted an audience with fans. (credit:PA)
Boxing Tyson training skipping(04 of24)
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American boxer Mike Tyson skipping in front of a mirror, during an open training session at his private gym in the Grosvenor House Hotel, London. Tyson was making preparations for his fight against Julius Francis at the MEN Arena, Manchester. (credit:PA)
Boxing - Heavyweight - Mike Tyson v - Julius Francis - Training - Grosvenor House Hotel(05 of24)
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American boxer Mike Tyson during an open training session at his private gym in the Grosvenor House Hotel, London. Tyson was making preparations for his fight against Julius Francis at the MEN Arena, Manchester. (credit:PA)
Tyson in England strip London(06 of24)
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Controversial boxer Mike Tyson in the south London wine bar Lavenden Dives, wearing a white England football strip. The ex-world heavyweight champion arrived at the wine bar in Lavender Hill after stopping off at another wine bar in Brixton. (credit:PA)
Tyson in England strip London(07 of24)
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Controversial boxer Mike Tyson in the south London wine bar Lavenden Dives, wearing a white England football strip. The ex-world heavyweight champion arrived at the wine bar in Lavender Hill after stopping off at another wine bar in Brixton. (credit:PA)
Tyson shopping in London(08 of24)
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Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, on a shoppig spree in London's west end. Tyson is due to meet British champion Julius Francis at the Manchester Arena. (credit:PA)
Tyson shopping in London(09 of24)
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Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson goes on a shopping spree in London's west end. Tyson is due to meet British champion Julius Francis at the Manchester Arena. (credit:PA)
Mike Tyson shopping in London(10 of24)
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Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson goes on a shopping spree in London's west end. Tyson is due to meet British champion Julius Francis at the Manchester Arena. (credit:PA)
Mike Tyson in London(11 of24)
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US Boxer Mike Tyson leaves the Grovesnor House Hotel on Park Lane after training, for a shopping trip in Sloane Street, London. (credit:PA)
Tyson shopping in London(12 of24)
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Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson checks out fashions during a shopping spree in London's west end. Tyson is due to meet British champion Julius Francis at the Manchester Arena. (credit:PA)
Tyson shopping in London(13 of24)
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Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson goes on a shopping spree in London's west end. Tyson is due to meet British champion Julius Francis, at the Manchester Arena. (credit:PA)
Tyson shopping in London(14 of24)
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Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson looks checks out fashions during a shopping spree in London's west end. Tyson is due to meet British champion Julius Francis at the Manchester Arena. (credit:PA)
Tyson Shopping in London(15 of24)
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Mike Tyson and his entourage shopping in Sloane Street, Kensington. Tyson first called at Giorgio Armani, and then crossed the busy road to Chanel, pursued by shouting fans and photographers. He emerged 10 minutes later without having purchased anything. *Man in white hat is former British World Welterweight boxing Champion Lloyd Hunnyghan. (credit:PA)
Tyson Melyssa bone marrow plea(16 of24)
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Mike Tyson takes time out from shopping in London's Sloane Street, to make a plea on behalf of four year old bone-marrow disease sufferer Melyssa Brancato, of London. Bids by the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust to find a donor match for Melyssa have so far failed. *Man in white hat is former British World Welterweight boxing Champion, Lloyd Hunnyghan. (credit:PA)
Tyson Brixton (17 of24)
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Boxer Mike Tyson salutes the crowd outside Brixton police station, where he took refuge after being mobbed during a walkabout. The controversial fighter is in London to fight British boxer Julius Francis on January 29, 2000. (credit:PA)
Tyson Shopping in London(18 of24)
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Mike Tyson and his entourage shopping in Sloane Street, Knightsbridge. Tyson first called at Giorgio Armani, and then crossed the busy road to Chanel, pursued by shouting fans and photographers, and flanked by his bodyguards. (credit:PA)
Tyson Brixton walkabout (19 of24)
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Boxer Mike Tyson, surrounded by fans, aides and police officers during a walkabout in Brixton, South London. Tyson was eventually forced to take refuge in a police station, as mounted officers and uniformed colleagues held back the crowd. * His walkabout followed a visit to the same area by boxing legend Muhammad Ali last year. (credit:PA)
Tyson Brixton walkabout (20 of24)
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Boxer Mike Tyson surrounded by fans, aides and police officers during a walkabout in Brixton, South London. Tyson had to take refuge in a police station, as the crowd threatened to overwhelm him. * His walkabout followed a visit to the same area by boxing legend Muhammad Ali in 1999. (credit:PA)
Tyson in Brixton - crop(21 of24)
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Boxer Mike Tyson is surrounded by fans, aides and police officers during a walkabout in Brixton, South London. Tyson eventually took refuge in a police station as mounted officers and uniformed colleagues held back the crowd. *His walkabout followed a visit to the same area by boxing legend Muhammad Ali in 1999. (credit:PA)
Tyson Brixton (22 of24)
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Boxer Mike Tyson speaks to the crowd outside Brixton police station, where he took refuge after being mobbed during a street walkabout. The controversial fighter is in London to fight British boxer Julius Francis on January 29, 2000. (credit:PA)
Tyson McLaren F1(23 of24)
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American boxer Mike Tyson looks at a McLaren F1 during a visit to the McLaren showroom in London's Park Lane. Tyson fights British hopeful Julius Francis in Manchester on the 29th January 2000. (credit:PA)
Tyson London media(24 of24)
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American boxer Mike Tyson (centre red top) is besiged by photographers and autograph hunters, during his stay in London. Tyson fights British hopeful Julius Francis in Manchester on 29 January 2000. (credit:PA)

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "We would not comment on the details of an individual case.

"We reserve the right to refuse entry to the UK to anyone who is convicted of serious criminal offences.

"In December 2012 we toughened up the rules on entering the UK, replacing the previous discretionary approach with a clearer, stronger framework including mandatory refusals based on the length of, and time since, sentence."