Mike Tyson may not be the force in boxing he once was, but his forthcoming appearance in Britain has prompted a rush for tickets which is unprecedented for recent boxing events on this side of the Atlantic.
Four days after tickets went on sale for his fight against the British heavyweight champion Julius Francis at Manchester's MEN Arena on January 29th, more than 18,000 of the 21,000-seat capacity is sold out.
A spokesman for Frank Warren's Sports Network organisation said: "It has been unbelievable. We have been working until one in the morning coping with inquiries. People have been ringing us and buying blocks of 30 or 40 tickets. Nigel Benn and Naseem Hammed were popular, but nothing to compare with this."
Most of the £500 ringside seats are sold, as well as the bulk of the cheaper vantage points.
After Francis had been confirmed yesterday as the definite opponent for Tyson, the head of Showtime Television Jay Larkin, whose network screens the former world heavyweight champion's fights in the USA, said he was certain Tyson would receive a magnificent reception.
"Mike is fighting in Britain by his choice. He likes it here. He is a great student of boxing and knows Muhammad Ali fought in Britain and Jack Johnson went overseas when he was in trouble in the United States," said Larkin.
"He can go onto to the streets with less pressure than in New York or Nevada. He will be accessible to the fans and is looking at the fight as a relief to the whirlpool that he has been in."
Tyson will arrive with a 30-strong entourage two weeks before the fight to complete final preparations in London. In contrast, Francis will hide away at an army training camp in Devon to ensure he is in top condition.
Doubtless some fans will have bought tickets in the expectation or at least the hope of a fresh ring outrage from Tyson. After all, the former undisputed heavyweight champion was suspended for biting Evander Holyfield's right ear and escaped with a no contest after hitting Orlin Norris after the bell in Las Vegas in October.
But Francis, a reformed street criminal, warns: "I've experienced being bitten in a fight and hit after the bell. If Mike wants to get dirty, I'll get dirty. He should remember boxing wasn't my first sport - I know how to use my elbows, I know how to use my head in the ring and on the street.
"At one time I did some unlicensed boxing and I know how to get down and dirty.
"I'm not going to let Mike Tyson intimidate me with his dirty antics. I don't see why I should be. "He's only human. He feels pain and he bleeds. He should know that I am ready to go out and put everything on the line. This is my opportunity and I won't waste it. I may be 35, but 2000 will be my year."
Francis played up his chances by saying Tyson had been a great champion but is not the fighter of 10 years ago. "With age most heavyweights lose mobility, lose a bit of speed and even lose their chin. Tyson's no different to anyone else in that respect."
