Public fury forces event for shamed boxer Tyson to be axed

Published on Tuesday 27 May 2008 22:41

A SPORTSMEN'S dinner hosted by Mike Tyson, the former world heavyweight champion boxer and convicted rapist, has been cancelled due to the level of public outrage, organisers confirmed last night.

The 250-per-head "Audience with Mike Tyson" was planned for Saturday at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow, but had attracted widespread condemnation from wom-en's groups and campaigners.

Barry Hughes, of Braveheart Promotions, said the event was being cancelled "due to the level of negative feedback from public, media and political sources".

He added: "Although Mike Tyson is one of the greatest former world champion boxers of all time, the furore that has surrounded this troubled athlete's personal life continues to overshadow his professional accolades.

"Braveheart Promotions does not wish to cause distress to any individuals or groups in holding an event which is seen to glorify unfavourable behaviour."

Full refunds will be given for the 800 tickets organisers were expecting to sell.

Tyson, who began his six-city UK tour in Manchester last week, was jailed for six years in 1991 for raping beauty queen Desiree Washington and has a history of violence towards women.

Last night, a spokeswoman for Scottish Women's Aid said: "We are absolutely delighted the promoters have taken cognisance of the protests and reversed their decision to invite Tyson to speak at this event. They have recognised they were giving out the wrong message about violence against women."

In 2000, the Glasgow-based Rape Crisis Centre was taken to the brink of bankruptcy in a failed legal bid to stop Tyson getting a visa for his visit to Glasgow and his fight against Lou Savarese at Hampden Park.