GENE RANDALL, CNN ANCHOR: Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson is in London. He has a bout scheduled next week with the British heavyweight champion. In the meantime, the controversial Tyson has launched a charm offensive. Fionnuala Sweeney has a report.</s>FIONNUALA SWEENEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He's not supposed to fight for another eight days, but that hasn't deterred public controversy or press interest in boxer Mike Tyson. First, the row over whether the convicted rapist would be allowed into the country. British immigration laws state that a person guilty of such a crime could not, except under "compassionate grounds." Home Secretary Jack Straw eventually decided that the 33-year-old boxer could enter, saying the canceling of the fight could cause economic hardship for dozens of British firms. From the moment Tyson set foot in London, the former heavyweight champion's every move has been dogged by press and women's groups, from his night-time runs in central London's Hyde Park, a prayer visit to a mosque, to his reported $1.5 million spending spree on jewelry. To the dismay of his critics, the Tyson camp has gone out of its way to see and be seen, including Friday's visit to the predominantly black area of Brixton in South London. Muhammad Ali received a hero's welcome when he visited Brixton last year, but it was nothing compared to the welcome that awaited Tyson. Despite the objections to the visit by the local authority, Tyson was mobbed by thousands of people, eventually fleeing to the safety of a police station. Unable to leave, he was forced to appeal to his fans to disperse so he could return to the gym. And the reason Tyson is in England: he steps into the ring against British heavyweight boxer Julius Francis next Saturday. Fionnuala Sweeney, CNN, London.
Mike Tyson Fever Hits London