This weekend Mike Tyson will be a special referee for one of the World Cage Fighting Championship bouts in Manchester, England. This venue has played host to the worlds fighting greats such as “Iron” Mike Tyson, Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank, Prince Naseem Hamed and Amir Khan. WCFC Cage Fighting bouts are so clinical in the way a fighter can be brutally despatched, that only the best fight referees in the business can be employed to arbitrate during the battles. It is for this reason that the Chief Referee for this Gladiatorial extravaganza is the Baddest Man on the Planet, “Iron” Mike Tyson! It takes a Warrior to understand and gain the respect of a Warrior, mere mortals will have their place at WCFC.…in the stands where they are safest.
A VIP Corporate Package will give you the opportunity to meet Mike Tyson.
The event will be at the Manchester Evening News Arena, Manchester, 8pm, March 18th 2006.
For more information about the event bouts and tickets visit this page.

Tyson said: “I haven’t had any training for this — but if I see an eyeball rolling across the floor, I’ll know it’s time I got involved!

“I just hope none of the guys get up to the sort of stuff I used to do.

“But you can forget any talk about me getting involved, even though I love cage fighting.

“I don’t want to fight no one no more. I’m past it, old and washed up — ancient history as far as all that is concerned.”

Tyson added: “People say cage boxing is barbaric but there is a lot of skill, heart, and technique involved.

“There is a bit of the psychotic beast in all of us. Everyone thinks about putting the knee into someone’s face.”

Update: click here to listen to a radio interview with Mike about the WFC subject.
Thanks to Littledragon.

Mike Tyson is coming to Copthorne for an amateur boxing night.

The former world heavyweight champion is taking part in an amateur boxing after-dinner show at Effingham Park Golf Club, Copthorne, along with fellow world heavyweight champion Frank Bruno on Friday, March 24.

Proceeds from the event will go to Whoopsadaisy - a charity for disabled children.

Initially the black tie event was to be held in Brighton but it was blocked by council leader Simon Burgess who questioned Tyson's suitability following his conviction.

The event was then moved to Copthorne following the block.

Tandridge District Council, which covers Copthorne, said it has no plans to oppose the show.

Former British champion Scott Welch, who is promoting the evening, said he did not understand the problem.

"The past is in the past," he said. "You can't live in the past. You've got to look to the future.

"He's done what he's done but he wants to carry on with his life. It was 14 years ago.

"We are extremely grateful that Mike has agreed to come to Crawley and support this show.

"He has many loyal fans in the south who I'm sure will be eager to hear this amazing story from the man himself."

Rees Hopcraft, of Crawley Amateur Boxing Club, also defended Tyson.

"Mike Tyson is one of the best, if not the best heavyweights of all time," he said.

"If Tyson or Bruno were to visit Crawley Amateur Boxing Club as part of their visit to the area it would be an honour to welcome them.

"Many of our lads come from underprivileged backgrounds and to show people like Tyson and Bruno taking an interest would be outstanding."

Proceeds from the event, which could be Tyson's last trip to the UK, are going to two Sussex childrens' charities.

More quotes available in the extended section of this post (click 'Read More' below).

I'm waiting for Mike Tyson to answer my call. It's 8.30am in Phoenix on Wednesday and Tom Pattie's just gone to wake him up. A muffled disturbance filters down the phone-line.

"Who?"

"Irish newspaper guy, remember?"

Huh?

"Rang yesterday."

Small rainstorm of unintelligible muttering ends with the primeval rasp of Tyson at the end of the phone. He had gone for "a nap" when we tried on Tuesday. Now it felt like we were trespassing on private time.

"Hello."

Am I ringing too early, Mike?

"Well yeah you are. C'mon, what's goin on buddy (laughing)?"

Want me to ring later?

"No, go ahead, let's get it over with my friend."

"I'm just fine, just taking it easy right now. Just enjoying myself, relaxing, travelling."

Did I hear you give speeches as you travel?

"In some places I give speeches, in other places I'm just enjoying my free time."