Mike Tyson is coming to Brighton for one night only.
The former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world will be at the Brighton Centre on Wednesday, March 22 as part of a black-tie amateur boxing dinner show.
An Evening With Mike Tyson has been organised by Greenwood Promotions in association with Scott Welch, the former British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion from Brighton who acted as personal security for Tyson on his last visit to this country.
Welch, a coach at Hove Amateur Boxing Club, said: "We are very excited about bringing Tyson to Brighton for the first time ever.
"We have agreed the venue and the date and we are just finalising details with the Tyson camp and everything is ready to go.
"Tyson is one of the greats, irrelevant of whether people want him in the top ten of all-time or not.
"For me he is one of the top five heavyweight boxers of all-time. Muhammad Ali would not have been able to do his rope-a-dope like he did to George Foreman against Tyson if they had been in the same era."
There will be a question and answer session with the 39-year-old, who was dubbed the Baddest Man On The Planet and Iron Mike during his heyday, while there will also be a selection of amateur bouts featuring up and coming boxers from Sussex.
Lee Greenwood, head coach at Hailsham and Eastbourne ABC, said: "It's a pleasure to bring Mike Tyson to Brighton, he has many loyal fans on the South Coast who I'm sure will be eager to hear his amazing story from the man himself."
Welch added: "We have had a number of people asking if we can secure Mike for this type of activity and now we have. It's a great coup for Brighton."
The event will seat 1,000 people on tables of ten ranging from £1,000 per table including a five-course meal, to £3,000 for VIP ringside tables which will include a champagne reception and private meet-and-greet with the champion.
To ensure the event remains accessible to the amateur boxers' friends and family, the balcony area will be opened with tickets costing £25 to £50.
Welch said: "We are confident the dinner tables will be snapped up and wanted to open the event to as many fans as possible in Brighton and across the South Coast."
Greenwood added: "It will be a fantastic experience for these young competitors to box in the presence of Mike Tyson. I am confident the lads on the bill will put on a great show."
The night will be unique as it is the only event on the tour offering amateur boxers the chance to compete in Tyson's presence - with the once in a lifetime opportunity to be presented a winner's trophy from the man who became the youngest ever heavyweight champion in the world when he beat Trevor Berbick for the WBC belt in November 1986, aged 20 years and four months.
Welch is also hoping to have former WBC world heavyweight champion Frank Bruno as a guest on the night.
For tickets call the Brighton Centre box office on 01273 290131 or Ticketmaster on 0870 154 40 40.
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