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Return fight? British government might not allow Tyson back
Posted: Tuesday February 01, 2000 07:56 PM
LONDON (AP) -- Mike Tyson may be barred from Britain the next time he tries to enter the country. The former heavyweight champion stopped Julius Francis in the second round Saturday in Manchester. But he was almost refused entry to England because of two felony convictions. Tyson's handlers hope to line up another fight in Britain this summer, but the Times of London reported that immigration officials have already warned Tyson he probably will not be allowed back. Home Secretary Jack Straw allowed Tyson to enter the country last month, though under British law a person who has served a 12-month term is usually barred. Tyson was convicted of rape in 1992 and served half his six-year sentence. He was jailed again for attacking two motorists. Straw cited exceptional circumstances and said a cancellation would have cost small businesses millions for a fight that had been confirmed in early December. Tyson will "be in for a rude awakening" if he tries to enter again, The Times quoted an unidentified source in the Home Office, which oversees policing and immigration. The newspaper said the Home Office was sending a letter to Tyson, telling him he would need to submit an application saying why he should be allowed in the country. Women's groups that opposed Tyson's presence reportedly want to meet with Straw, and members of the opposition Conservatives are expected to ask for similar assurances in Parliament. "'The government broke the immigration rules," said Sandra Hawley of the women's group Refuge. "This time the government put money before morality. That cannot be allowed again." Tyson left Britain on Sunday, but his two-week stay was a financial and public relations success. He earned $8 million to $12 million for the fight and was embraced like a rock star whenever he left his hotel, generating a tumultuous reception in the racially mixed London neighborhood of Brixton. Tyson's boxing adviser Shelly Finkel and promoter Frank Warren said they could have sold 60,000 seats for the fight and would draw at least many for a return fight.
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