By Ian S. Palmer
Mike Tyson’s definitely no angel and he’ll be the first to admit it. However, his past indiscretions have cost him the chance to undertake a speaking tour in New Zealand and possibly Australia. The 46-year-old former world heavyweight boxing champion recently had a visitor’s visa revoked by immigration officials in New Zealand due to his conviction for rape in 1992. Tyson was sentenced to a six-year prison term for raping Desiree Washington in an Indianapolis hotel room. Washington was just 18 at the time of the incident.
Tyson was released on parole after serving three years of his sentence, but things were never the same for the former champion. His boxing skills eroded quickly and he lost several fights to journeymen boxers before retiring in 2006. He’s gained fame over the last few years for his appearances in Hollywood movies and is also the star of his own one-man show which he has taken on the road to stages on Broadway and Las Vegas.
No matter how popular Tyson may have been or still is, New Zealand pulled his entry permit from him after the country found out that the charity which was supposed to benefit from his visit doesn’t want to be associated with Tyson. The former boxer was scheduled to head to New Zealand and Australia in November to take part in some speaking engagements. Since some of the proceeds for the event in Auckland, New Zealand were slated for a youth charity, immigration authorities granted him a visa.
The charity then said that it didn’t support Tyson’s appearance and there was a mix-up concerning their alleged endorsement of him. When Kate Wilkinson, the nation’s Associate Immigration Minister found out, she cancelled Tyson’s visa. She claimed he was granted an entry permit in the first place because a local charity was going to benefit from his appearance. Markson Sparks, the company that is promoting the tour said it will appeal her decision, but it’s been reported that appeals aren’t allowed in New Zealand.
The promoters have the option of applying for a new visa, but unless a new charity can be found that supports Tyson and will benefit from his visit, it’s doubtful he’ll be allowed entry. The trip has been criticized ever since it was announced with various women’s groups up in arms about it and even the country’s prime minister spoke out against it. Markson sparks said if Tyson is banned from the country then he may still involve him in the event by using satellite video hook-up.
Tyson is also scheduled to appear at several events in Australia, and that tour is also up in the air. Australian immigration officials said they haven’t come to a decision yet if he’ll be allowed into the country and that his visa application is still pending. He could use the money since he claimed bankruptcy several years ago. Tyson’s gotten back on his feet to some degree recently due to the success of his Broadway show and the Hangover and Hangover Part 2 movies which he had roles in.
