Mike Tyson one of the worlds greatest ever boxers who reverted to Islam while in jail is in Mecca for Umrah.  He plans to then visit Medina.

Source:FightNews

Photos: SP Management

Even 5 years after he retired, Mike Tyson is still very popular in Italy. That’s why SP Management – a show-biz agency led by Stefano Pugnali – invited the former world heavyweight champion on a promotional tour of the Northern and Central areas of the country.

On Friday, a press conference was held in Milan at prestigious “Just Cavalli Cafè,” owned by fashion icon Roberto Cavalli. About 100 journalists showed up, along with other personalities. City councilman in charge of the Sports Department Alan Rizzi and International Federation of Sports Movies and TV President Franco Ascani gave Tyson the “Ghirland d’honneur,” a prestigious award which in the past was given to such sports legends as Pelè.

Also at the Just Cavalli Cafè was OPI 2000 President Salvatore Cherchi, with his son Christian, former WBC World cruiserweight champion Giacobbe Fragomeni and welterweight prospect Antonio Moscatiello. Tyson was happy to shake Fragomeni’s hand and pose with him for a photo. When asked to do the same by a visibly thrilled Moscatiello, Tyson’s answer was: “You are a fighter, you are welcome.”

On the same night, SP Management organized a special event for Tyson at Cafè Villino in Treviglio, located in the Lombardia region. Hundreds of fans showed up to meet the boxing legend and commentate with him the images of his most famous fights which were shown on a mega-screen.

On Saturday, Stefano Pugnali brought Tyson to San Giovanni Teatino, in the Abruzzi region of Central Italy, where thousands of people filled “Parco dei Cigni” (Swan’s Park) a mega-disco built inside a beautiful natural park.

Mike Tyson, former boxer and star of the documentary 'Tyson' presented the film at the 1st Astana International Action Film Festival in Kazakhstan.

Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Former world heavyweight champ Mike Tyson will take flight on Animal Planet with a new sport -- pigeon racing.

The network this week announced a new reality show that will pit Tyson, a novice pigeon racer, against serious competitors.

The show is currently titled "Taking on Tyson" and promises to bring audiences inside this "intensely competitive and bizarrely fascinating world."

Tyson has raised pigeons all his life but will take to the rooftops as a racing rookie. The network says he'll be assisted by a colorful team of pigeon experts as he rears, trains and races them.

The show is scheduled to be taped this spring in New York City and air early next year.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press