Melbourne Fighting Mike Tyson's Visit

Citizens are riled over plans of ex-heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, a convicted rapist coming to Melbourne to play poker.  Crime victims have called for the ex-convict who once bit off a boxing opponents ear off in the ring to be banned from entering Australia.

Tyson who's currently playing poker with Shane Warne in Las Vegas this week says that he plans to head off to Melbourne in January for the $10 million dollar Aussie Millions Poker Championships.  He said that he has finalized a deal with Crown Casino that would see him compete in the tournament.

"I love Australia, but I've never been before," he told the Herald Sun. "I really want to come and see the country."  But the Crime Victims Support Association President, Noel McNamara said that a visa should be refused.  "He has bitten off ears. He has done all sorts of things," he said.

"If we sent someone over there with a record like that he wouldn't get into the United States."  A spokesman for Immigration Minister Chris Evans said that is was premature to speculate on whether or Tyson would receive a visa, saying,   "The minister won't speculate on a person's visa application."

Mike Tyson would usually have to pass a character test to gain entry into the country but this could be difficult considering he served three years' jail for the rape of an 18 year old beauty pageant contestant.  But he could still appeal directly to the minister.

Another US celebrity, Snoop Dogg was barred from Australia last year by then immigration minister Kevin Andrews after the rapper failed to reveal he had a conviction for drugs and gun offences for which he received five years' probation for.

Considering Tyson has a more colorful past some say that he should definately be denied entry.  He's served multiple times in jail including his six year sentence for the rapper of Miss Black Rhode Island, Desiree Washington in 1991.  He then served three and a half months of a 12 month jail sentence in 1998 after bashing a motorist in Maryland.

He then served another day in jail and got three years' probation in November of 2007 for Cocaine possession and driving under the influence.  He is also known for biting off part of his opponent, Evander Holy field's ear in 1997.  Mr McNamara said: "To bring a bloke like that out here . . . who is a rapist and not of good character – it is absolutely outrageous."

He then added that it was insulting that Tyson could profit from the poker trip.  "I am disgusted."