Former world heavyweight champion boxer and convicted rapist Mike Tyson tonight said he was ‘greatly disappointed’ when he discovered he is banned from entering the UK.Tyson, 47, was due in London this week as part of a promotional tour for his new autobiography ‘Undisputed Truth’, which included a photo call with journalists and a book signing at Waterstones.His publishers said recent changes to UK immigration laws meant he was unable to travel to the country and has been re-routed to Paris instead.Tyson is currently booked in for a British tour for his one-man Broadway show, directed by Spike Lee, which is booked for eight nights in March next year in London, Glasgow and Manchester. In a statement, Tyson said: ‘I was greatly disappointed when I learned of United Kingdom’s immigration law changes that went into effect December 2012.‘I have been coming to the UK consistently in the past decade so this change is disheartening since it affects my current entry standing.’‘I apologise to my fans that were inconvenienced, however, please know I am currently working diligently with the proper authorities to regain access next year for my UK tour.‘I am currently stationed in Paris, attending to press that was scheduled for my visit this week in London.‘I am very much looking forward to talking about my book, Undisputed Truth, and UK tour, and very appreciative of the British press for being so accommodating in the interim.‘I have a great deal of respect for the laws of the United Kingdom and will continue taking the proper steps for re-entry.’Tweets posted on Tyson’s official Twitter account as recently as Friday suggest the boxer was unaware he would be hit by the changes until the last minute.He wrote: ‘So, UK fans, who is brave enough to get in the ring and ask me a question?’
