 |
 |   |
|  |
One-time deal? Tyson not a sure bet to return to Britain
Posted: Thursday January 27, 2000 06:47 PM
LONDON (Reuters) -- Mike Tyson has yet to land one punch on his next opponent Julius Francis but he's already making plans for another British bout -- if he can get back into the country. Under fire for bending immigration rules to let in a convicted rapist, Britain's Labour government is making it clear Tyson might not be so lucky next time around. "He would need to get entry clearance to the U.K. if he were to come back again. And we made it very clear that we only granted that exceptionally this time," said a spokesman for the Home Office which controls immigration. "There is no obligation for him to write to us and say 'I want to come in', but clearly that would be advisable if anybody [with his criminal record] didn't want to face the prospect of being turned around at the airport," said the spokesman. The government has come under sustained attack for admitting the volatile American in a move that appeared to afford special treatment to his celebrity status. Under British rules anyone convicted of an offense that carries a jail sentence of 12 months is refused entry unless there are "strong compassionate reasons" for the visit. Tyson was convicted of raping a beauty contestant in the United States in 1992 and served three years of a six-year sentence. He was then jailed for a "road rage" attack on two elderly motorists and was freed eight months ago. But Home Secretary [interior minister] Jack Straw exempted Tyson, saying too many fans would be disappointed and businesses hurt by a last-minute cancellation of Saturday's bout against Francis. Women's groups are leading the fight to get rid of Tyson but the former world heavyweight champion is riding their punches. "I love London and I would really like to live here," said 33-year-old Tyson before heading north to Manchester as the overwhelming favorite for his fight with Francis. Aides say he is sharp, relaxed and in good humor. Tyson has felt on solid ground in London, garnering huge media attention and rousing cheers from fans. Now he wants more of the same. "I want to have another fight over here after this one," Tyson said. "As long as no political movements don't want me here, I'd like to fight here again." His boxing adviser Shelly Finkel has said a March bout in Europe or back home in New Jersey was in the cards followed by a fight in June or July to keep Tyson sharp. "He'd like to come back here but, of course, it's up in the air," Finkel said earlier this week. "There has been no contact [about Tyson's bid to return]. But we did make it quite clear he was admitted under exceptional circumstances this time," said the Home Office spokesman.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
