TV reality show plans Tyson fight

A new US reality TV show plans to feature an ordinary man as he is put through intense boxing training before fighting Mike Tyson.

California production company Triage Entertainment is in talks with the former world heavyweight champion’s managers to finalise an agreement, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Several US networks are said to have shown interest in the programme which would follow every step of the potentially disastrous mismatch.

Tyson served three years in jail for rape during the 1990s and infamously bit off part of Evander Holyfield’s ear during a fight.

Last year he was denied a boxing licence in Nevada after attacking Lennox Lewis during a press conference.

The fight eventually was staged in Memphis in June, with Lewis easily defeating Tyson to keep the world title.

Tyson is reported to have squandered most of the millions of dollars he has earned during his career.

This week he agreed to pay his second wife pounds four million in future earnings as part of a divorce settlement.

The Fox network had a ratings hit last year with Celebrity Boxing which included a bout between disgraced Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding and Paula Jones, who accusations of sexual harassment against former US president Bill Clinton sparked the scandal which eventually led to his impeachment.