Tyson Cancels Tour Date
Posted by Michael Payne on 11.07.2009
Mike Tyson cancelled yesterdays planned appearance at Belfast Waterfront Hall at short notice due to "unforeseen circumstances".
‘Iron' Mike Tyson was due to appear at the venue as part of his Evening with Mike Tyson Tour, but the date was scrapped at short notice. Barry McGuigan was also due to appear alongside the former world heavyweight champion.
Protests had been expected from women's advocate groups who were against the appearance of Mike Tyson due to his rape conviction in 1993, when he was found guilty of raping beauty queen Desiree Washington.
Eileen Calder of the Rape Crisis Centre in Belfast criticized McGuigan for agreeing to take part. "Barry needs to hang his head in shame, I have always been a huge fan of his, I even considered naming one of my children after him. He has done so much great work for charities and integrated education. I can't believe he has agreed to take part in this."
Ms Calder feels that Tyson should not have been allowed access to the UK saying "Believe me, if this was the other way around, he would not even be allowed into the country. The United States does not allow convicted rapists in, they are interested in protecting their citizens. I would appeal to boxing fans to look beyond his boxing to what he has done, he is a convicted rapist."
