Tyson to visit the famous Bullring by Tom Podmore May 23rd 2008

Mike Tyson has been in many rings before. After all, he is a former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world who boxed in 58 professional bouts during a 20-year career that saw him reign as the youngest heavyweight champion in history. But Bullring, the world-famous shopping centre in Birmingham? That's a ring he's never had to step into. Until now. The American, a blood-thirsty puncher known as the most fearsome fighter of his generation, will be visiting some of England's major cities on a after-dinner speaking tour in the next two weeks. During his stay on these shores he will be lodging with his friend of over 20 years, Birmingham-based Irishman Joe “Toughest White Man on the Planet” Egan, and appears to have an action-packed time planned. Tyson, who has ballooned to 20st since hanging up the gloves in 2005, arrives in England today (May 22) ahead of speaking commitments that sees his appointment in the Second City on Tuesday (May 27). The complex ex-champion, still a figure of intrigue, will be interviewed by another former world champion, WBC super-middleweight king Richie Woodhall, at the plush surroundings of the International Convention Centre (ICC) on that night. But he is reportedly devastated that his favourite Brummie building, the HP factory in Aston, has closed down and been demolished – work being moved to Holland in 2006. According to 42-year-old Egan, Tyson was ecstatic when he had his photo taken outside the factory last time he was here and always has a bottle of HP brown sauce at his home, quipping: “the best of British” when using it. However, the 41-year-old heavyweight legend can take his mind off the disappearance of the historic HP sign by doing a bit of retail therapy at two of Birmingham's premier shopping centres. City centre-based Bullring, voted the best shopping area in Europe, and The Mailbox – an exclusive building with shops like Armani, Versace and Louis Vuitton – will be there to tempt the world's most famous pigeon fancier to open his wallet. And Egan, a former pro, 3-1 (1), who never hit the deck when sparring with the ferocious and controversial fighter from Brooklyn, New York in the 1980s, confesses that his famous friend is eager to add to his impressive wardrobe collection: “Mike is clothes mad,” he said. “Over the years he must have spent fortunes on them. “My fiancé Ruth is a Brummie and like all women she loves to shop, so she's promised to take him round Birmingham's best stores,” continued the former seven-time Irish amateur heavyweight champion, a man who beat future WBA heavyweight boss Bruce Seldon in the vest and also boxed Lennox Lewis. “Even Mike will have difficulty keeping up with my fiancé round the shopping centres!” But Tyson, who went 2-2 (2) against English fighters – two wins over Frank Bruno (both WBC, 1989 and 1996) and stoppage defeats at the fists of Lennox Lewis (KO in eight) and Danny Williams (KO in four) – isn't content with just shopping. Oh no. He is also planning on visiting the ground of the city's most successful (and best!) football team, Aston Villa. And Joe, who has called Birmingham home for almost two decades, added: “Mike doesn't know too much about football but is interested in finding out more. He said that its not really talked about much in Las Vegas but wants to have a look around Villa Park when he's over here. “Tyson loves Birmingham and the football ground trip will reinforce that.” Information on Tyson's after-dinner speaking engagement at the classy Convention Centre, also featuring another former world heavyweight champion and an ex-opponent of the iron-fisted New Yorker, IBF king Tony ‘TNT' Tucker, can be found by speaking to Ken Purchase on 07976-842383.

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Embarrassing error May 23rd 2008, 08:35:53 by tom-podmore Spot. I'm rather embarrassed about missing that, especially as I was in the crowd at the MEN that night. Tom.   Don't forget Julius May 23rd 2008, 07:38:03 by adamdaly Forgetting about Julius Francis? (Good Call - Kev, Site Owner)